2024 women’s U Sports cross country pre-conference power rankings

With the “banner” season for Canadian U Sports cross country just around the corner, the top women’s teams across the country are beginning to zero in on their respective conference titles as they gear up for the 2024 U Sports Championships on Nov. 9 in Kelowna, B.C.

Here’s a reminder of how our rankings work: if a team wins, they will climb the rankings. If a team loses, they slide. As a bonus, we’ve highlighted a couple of athletes to watch in their respective conferences, and, of course, predicted which team will be victorious in each region.

10. UBC Okanagan Heat (CanWest) -2

9. Queen’s Gaels (OUA) +1

8. McMaster Marauders (OUA) +1

7. Guelph Gryphons (OUA) -1

6. McGill Martlets (RSEQ) -1

5. Sherbrooke Vert et Or (RSEQ) +2

4. St. Francis Xavier X-Women (AUS) -1

3. Victoria Vikes (CanWest) +1

2. UBC Thunderbirds (CanWest) -1

1. Western Mustangs (OUA) +1

Even after we’ve settled into the cross-country season, the commotion in the standings is far from over. This week, every school is swapping spots with another–even the seemingly unshakeable top three. The Western Mustangs take the top spot after prevailing at the 8-Kay Marauder Invitational at Kay Drage Park in Hamilton on Oct. 11. The reigning OUA champions scored 37 points, taking seven of the top thirteen spots and beating the field by a margin of 43 points. 

Western’s Sandra Guga led the Mustangs to their win, individually claiming fourth place in 28:53. The fifth-year athlete is one to look out for–she was also the school’s top finisher at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational in Notre Dame, Ind., on Oct. 4. Anna Carruthers (6), Olivia Roussel (7), 2023 U Sports bronze medallist Erika Jordan (9) and Ashley Maguire (11) rounded out the scoring spots in the team’s powerhouse lineup.

The Victoria Vikes are boosted in the standings after their dominant win over the reigning U Sports champions at the Stewart Cup at West Confederation Park in Calgary on Oct. 12. The Vikes’ result leads them to overtake the StFX X-Women, replacing them in the final medal-contention spot in the rankings. UBCO’s Lauren McNeil claimed the Stewart Cup individual title, clocking a stunning 25:53 to win by more than a minute.

Sherbrooke Vert et Or continues making strides after winning their home meet, the Vert et Or Invitational in Sherbrooke, Que. on Oct. 12. Sherbrooke’s Laurence Gauthier led the charge, clocking 29:57. The McMaster Marauders and Queen’s Gaels also climb after strong efforts at the Marauder Invitational. 

Individual title contenders

Katie Newlove (UBC Thunderbirds)
Holly MacGillivray (UBC Thunderbirds)
Erika Jordan (Western Mustangs)
Lauren McNeil (UBCO Heat)
Elisa Tripotin (UQAM Citadins)
Julia Agostinelli (Toronto Varsity Blues)
Madelyn Eybergen (Windsor Lancers)