Providence doubles up on cross-country banners

The Providence Pilots didn’t take long to build a deep cross-country roster.

The Pilots claimed both the men’s and women’s team banners at the inaugural Manitoba Colleges Athletic Association cross-country championships despite missing out on the top of the podium for individual performances.

Canadian Mennonite University even won first and third (Luke Townsend and Marcus Huebner), only for the other Providence runners, led by second-placing Owen Eisbrenner, to make up ground throughout the rest of the standings. They won by six points.

On the women’s side, CMU’s Laurel Smith claimed individual gold, but the Pilots stormed to a team victory, edging the Blazers by just a single point, 18-19. Amariah Zult and Haily Sawatzky finished on the podium.

Both teams are led by head coach Nick Reimer.

“I’m incredibly proud of both teams,” Reimer said in a school news release.

“They’ve worked hard, trusted the process, and competed for one another. This really has been a special Fall together, and being able to represent Providence and the MCAC at CCAA Nationals in Edmonton is a tremendous honour. Beyond the results, it has been a genuine joy to coach these athletes, and I’m excited to continue the journey at nationals.”

It was the first meet all season that the women’s team ran with a full slate of athletes, as the team battled injuries.

“The inaugural Cross Country season at Providence has exceeded my expectations in every way,” Reimer said in a pre-meet news release.

“It has been a privilege to coach this group over the past two months, especially knowing there were moments over the past year when I wondered whether we would get here at all.”

Jordyn Prudhomme’s finish in eighth, just ahead of a CMU runner, earned the decisive points in the MCAC championships.

“I love that Cross Country is a team sport in the truest sense,” Reimer said.

“Every runner matters, every position counts, and our success depends on how we compete together.”

The podium finishers from CMU will join Providence at nationals.

MCAC action is heating up across the province, as soccer teams enter the final weekend of regular season play. CMU has clinched the top seed in the men’s division and hosting rights for the playoffs. Providence’s 4-3-3 record has them sitting in third place in the standings.

On the women’s side, Providence’s 8-1-1 record has them in the driver’s seat as they look to hold off 7-2-1 (W/L/D) Brandon. The season could come down to a match-up between the Bobcats and Pilots in Brandon Oct. 24. Providence will close the season with match-ups against St Boniface Oct. 25.

The MCAC soccer championships are set to begin Oct. 31.

Volleyball action began this weekend as well, with the Providence men’s team winning matches against St Boniface and Red River College. The women’s team dropped their opener before defeating RRC, which are making their return to the conference this season after a hiatus.

The Pilots home openers are set for Oct. 23 beginning at 6 p.m. The Pilots are returning to campus in Otterburne for their volleyball and basketball home matches this year. The teams also play Oct. 24th beginning at 1 p.m.