Fitzgerald claims CCAA gold

By Kaleb Vanderhorst
SAIT Trojans student writer

CALGARY, ALTA., (Nov. 13, 2021) The SAIT Trojans cross-country running team had a great showing this Saturday at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Cross-Country Running National Championships, hosted by St. Mary's University.

Makenna Fitzgerald was again the centre of attention during the women's 6-kilometre event, keeping a blistering speed throughout the entire race and finishing with an incredible time of 21:40 to win the women's individual gold medal - the first for SAIT since Holly Ratzlaff won the event hosted by Edmonton's MacEwan University in 2004.

This time also saw her finish a full minute ahead of the next second-place runner Juliette Belanger who herself had a respectable time of 22:43.

"I'm really happy with my finish in this race, I came out ran at my own pace, and placed really well, I even managed to beat my time from the ACAC finals," Fitzgerald said.

On the men's side of things, the Trojans had several great showings as well as they finished just off the men's team podium in fourth place. Keiran Marchand led the group with a fifth-place finish, an improvement on his time from the ACAC finals, finishing in 25:33.

Yahye Jama followed with a time of 27:14 earning himself 16th position, closely followed behind him was Landon Swartz with a time of 27:33 place 22nd.

Not too far behind them was Jackson Sinclair finishing with a time of 28:47 earning him 38th.

Finally, rounding out the list was Justin Galipeau and Jonathon Samper Garzon finishing in 79th and 81st, respectively.