Hello all, and welcome to the first edition of ``Slanders and Speculations: Assorted Writings and Prognostications regarding CIS cross country competion, by Jeff Barr and Rob Kitz (Being two gentlemen of much learnedness and CIS Experience)`` Obviously, we`ve inherited the format from the Kitely-McInnes reports of yesteryears, and I need hardly say that we are both intimidated and inspired by their great example. But we`re going to do our best, and, with your help, we think this can be pretty good. “What help?” you ask? We are looking – always looking - for more information. Whether material or immaterial to your XC hopes, we want to know more about your teams. So send whatever you can to this tnfnorth account. And note that we are more than willing to be taken in by hoaxes and tall-tales, provided that your lies are amusing.
The Report will be published more or less bi-weekly, depending on our convenience.
Finally, the absence of any mention of the women`s teams is a glaring flaw in our efforts. We`re working on it. Jeff and I have a hard time speaking to women, so we`re short on information, but we should have something out soon.
And so, our Rankings of the Men`s CIS XC Teams:
First Instalment: Frosh-Week Frenzy
1. Guelph Gryph: Well, what can be said about a team that scored 27 points in 2008? “I hope they graduated all 7?” This team is looking for a fourth title in a row and looks to be about as dangerous as ever. Led by 4-minute miler Bling-Boom-Boorsma and Matt “I can run track” Brunstring this team looks unstoppable. Throw in 2008 OUA XC champ Brett (yes, I am putting him down in the 3rd spot on this team; scary, isn’t it?), 2008 OUA ROY Rob Jackson, and 2008 OUA All-star John Parrott and you have a dominant team in the making. Support is added by the younger-Kozi, newcomer Alex Hinton and a whole lotta other solid rookies. This team is absolutely dominant on paper and has the history to back it up.
2. Windsor Lancers: Is it any surprise who is in the 2-spot? This team has been the most powerful and consistent squad in the CIS over the past decade… other than Guelph. Assuming Dave “Mantracker” Weston hasn’t had too many pints at the Madison over the summer he should be a medal-contender. Follow that up with 2008 All-Canadian Sinclair, OUA All-stars Adam Keller, Andrew “I don’t know to spell your last name” Aguanno, Phil Dalton, Alex Meyer, and Mark “world cross” Henshaw. Yeah, that’s a deep team. Coach Fairell peaks his boys well and with this arsenal who knows how good the 2009 Lancer edition can be?
3. St. FX: What a year it was for these boys in 2008. A total team effort led to a somewhat-surprising team silver in Quebec City, and I bet these boys are back to prove it wasn’t a fluke. Rumour has it that Coach Chisolm has been flipping through his mail-order catalogue of Eastern European Cross Country runners, and they’re going to show us soft Westerners what true toughness looks like. As well, home-grown talents McCarron, Addison and Winslow should all be back and profiting from another year of long, lonely miles in the Antigonish highlands. Most importantly, X produces real cross country runners (not a bunch of half tights wearing, middle distance running, nancy boys), exactly the kind of guys who will enjoy the harsh winds and rough footing of Fort Henry (oldtimers may recall Eric Gillis’ win on the horendously difficult Moncton course).
4. UWO: What’s this I hear? The ‘Stangs are loaded with talent and a boatload of depth? Who would’ve thought? Kyle “Real Deal” O’Neil had a nasty summer running 8:53 and 14:29 (for 4th and 5th at senior nats) and will be a legitimate title threat along with Weston and the Guelph top 5. Following him up are Armstrong (5th at OUA xc 2008), Komer, Emberley, Strokach, and some other other top 50 types. There is a rumour going around that this squad has brought in a stud graduate student who will remain unnamed. As usual with this team, they look quite good on paper and this young group is growing up. Hailed as the best recruiting class in 2007, these guys will definitely be rolling for the Western Invitational, probably strong for OU’s, and maybe, just maybe - if they can hold it together – a force to contend with come November.
5. Da Bears: Can the Bears regain the form of just 5-6 years ago when they were team medalists on multiple occasions? To answer this question, one needn’t look any further than Jamie Weikum. This guy may be soft when it comes to the K100, but he’s clutch at CIS xc. All-Canadian last year and just off of a 15:07 at Canada Games. Weikum will be getting some good support from: Ostapowich (1:49, 3:54), Carver (3:57, 8:52), Maxime Laboeuf (Francois’ bro), and Harry Moore (33:19 and 6:34 beer mile). This team may appear to be ranked pretty high based on the past couple year’s results; however, I witnessed these boys crush 45km mountain runs and tame Grizzly’s this summer. Da Bears are 4real.
6. Regina: Wiebe is back and ready to go after 14:40 and 3:57 runs this summer. Here’s a distance donkey who should be battling for a first-team spot come November. Add to that low-stick potential top 25 men Wig, Baiton, and Fyfe and you have a very good top 4. This squad hurts where it counts, the depth. They have a capable 5 man in Benjammin but beyond him they appear to be pretty thin. If all 5 perform up to par on Nov. 14th, this team will be in the top 5.
7. Victoria Vikes: Well the information flow certainly hasn’t been overwhelming from out west, but based on memory, 3:43 guy Mallie is back as is Cliff Childs. I think they picked up a strong recruit, but the loss of Martinson hurts this team big time. Beyond the top 4, it appears there is a big gap that any team in the top 10 could sneak into. That will make for some important battles in the 30s, 40s, and 50s at the Fort.
8. Calgary Dinos: Wel, after back-to-back CanWest championships, Lamont has made me a believer. While these teams had great front men, it was great timing and depth that has carried the Dinos to top 5s the past two years. Cloutier, Nicol, and Pootz form a strong top 3. After these guys, expect a good season from Pittman and Spendiff. This team has no big guns but as always has depth. Don’t make me look bad Dinos, on paper I’ve got you overranked!
9. Toronto: As always, the Varsity Blues roll into the season with question marks all over the place. Will Lambert survive a summer of mountain goat hunting, did Del Monte sample a little too much beer, cheese, and french fries with mayonaisse over in Belgium, and did T-Pain Pettes avoid the cottage party circuit and put in the base this summer? Backing up those three, it appears past CIS medalist Stephen “1/4 a Doctor” Douglas is back for another tour of duty - this time in varsity blue - as is Colin Murray-Lawson (OFSAA wrestling champion). I also have it from a reliable source that one or two of the better UTTC guys have dug up another year of eligibilty; of course, Ristuccia won`t show his hand until OU`s, so don`t expect confirmation of these rumours any time soon.
10. This pick is hard. It appears the Quebec teams are in rebuilding mode (should mention Colle of Concordia who ran 14:27 this summer and is a “lock” All-Canadian) as is Dalhousie (should mention Christie who is gunning for his fourth All-Canadian this fall, which is freaking impressive). I guess that leaves the number 5 OUA team which is a battle between MAC and Queen’s. Larry Abbott, Corey McCurry, 600m man Noah Fleming, and Andrew Douglas make up the core of the MAC squad. No doubt Coach Sneyd has brought in a good group of rookies to compliment this core. As for Queen’s, Matt Hulse is back from Austrailia with a mullet (mullets make you faster kids), Potvin (no, not Felix) had a good season last year and is a warrior on the grass. Walmsley, Klaus, and some triathlete round out this KEVIN DUNBAR coached team. With a Legend like Dunbar behind the bench, who wouldn’t rank this team in the top 11?
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