The MHC Rattlers cross country team was in Calgary on Saturday for ACAC #4 – The St. Mary’s Open. Both women’s and men’s teams were on the top of their collective games posting strong performances.

In the women’s 6 km race, the Rattlers, who are currently ranked 5th in Canada amongst women’s college cross country running teams, battled #3 ranked St Mary’s for the team title. Two weeks ago in ACAC #3 in Edmonton, St. Mary’s eked out a two-point victory (38 to 40) over the Rattlers. On Saturday, it was even closer with St Mary’s again prevailing, but this time by a single point (34 to 35). Red Deer Poly was a distant third with 71 points.

Individually, the Rattlers women were again led by the rookie duo of Becky Ross and Maddy Scrimger. Ross placed second in 23:36, 22 seconds behind winner Reese Bendksen from the University of Alberta – Augustana Campus. Scrimger followed in third place. Veterans Cheldynn Molnar (14th) and Pyper Gill (16th) rounded out the MHC scorers.

The MHC men contested the 8 km race and had their best result this season. placing fourth in the team standings with 78 points. For the third race in a row, Brannon Sumner was top MHC runner finishing 16th in a time of 30:11. Sumner was followed by Jaiden Romaniuk (18th), Gage Smith (20th), Harrison Lawson (24th), Justin Jaeger (26th), Carson Schiller (28th), and Shintaro Iwata (34th).

Next up for the Rattlers runners is the ACAC Cross Country Running Championships in Edmonton on Saturday, October 29.

Full results will be posted on the ACAC XC Running page.