LU stages cross-country meet for elementary, secondary students

The Laurentian University 2010 X-Country Challenge, held Thursday, was easily the largest elementary cross-country meet staged in Sudbury in quite some time. The event, which also featured a secondary school competition in the afternoon, brought together several hundred young runners competing in both the junior (Grades 3 to 6) and senior (Grades 7 and 8) categories.

Walden Elementary School showcased its talent, garnering three of the top four placings in the junior boys race as Ben Lagadin (1st), Jacxsen Cress (3rd) and Joel Huffman (4th) were joined by Ryan Paquette (2nd) of Val Caron.

Karly Hellstrom (Carl Nesbitt) seemed intent on following in the footsteps of older sister Jenna, nabbing top spot in the junior girls dash. Hellstrom was followed by Jaclyn Groom (Walden), Megan Beauchamp (R.L. Beattie) and Matilda Hick (R.L Beattie).

Sarah Cholewinsky of St. Francis strutted her stuff, winning the senior grouping despite being in Grade 7. Alex Langlois (St. Denis), Hannah Bird (Northeastern) and Faithe Joly (Marymount) rounded out the top five.

Ontario Winter Games biathlon medalist Aidan Spoel (R.L. Beattie) crossed the line first in the senior boys grouping, followed closely by Brandan Banfinch (Hanmer), Noah Lapierre (Northeastern) and Alex Cholewinsky (St. Francis).