It’s formally “banner” season for Canadian U Sports activities cross-country, as the highest groups throughout the nation start their bid for a ticket to the 2023 U Sports activities Championships on Nov. 12, in London, Ont. 

Right here’s an replace on our Canadian Working males’s XC group energy rankings based mostly on the common season. Moreover, we’ve highlighted a few athletes to observe of their respective conferences, and, after all, everybody’s favorite–predictions!

10. St. Francis Xavier X-Males (AUS) -2

9. Alberta Golden Bears (CanWest) *new*

8. Victoria Vikes (CanWest) *new*

7. UNB Reds (AUS) -2

6. Guelph Gryphons (OUA) -2

5. Sherbrooke Vert-et-Or (RSEQ) *new*

4. Western Mustangs (OUA) +4

3. UBC Thunderbirds (CanWest) +/-

2. Queen’s Gaels (OUA) +/-

1. Laval College (RSEQ) +/-

For the third straight rating in a row, #1 ranked Laval has retained the highest spot within the nation. Their prime 4 males, consisting of studs Philippe Morneau-Cartier and Jean-Simon Desgagnés, have been unbeatable this season, securing a commanding win on the AUS/RSEQ Interlock meet and inserting 4 of their athletes within the prime 5. Laval ought to handily safe their convention title, however the true take a look at of their depth will come on the 2023 U Sports activities Championships the place they’ll face Queen’s and UBC for the primary time this season.

It has been a dream 12 months for the #2 ranked Queen’s Gaels, who will head into the OUA Championships on Oct. 28 because the favourites. The quartet of Jude Wheeler-Dee, Roman Mironov, Miles Brackenbury and Will Cox have the Gaels coming into November as one of many two groups with the potential to beat Laval in London. The opposite group with that canine in them is the UBC Thunderbirds, who’ve been dominant within the CanWest convention and runners-up to Queen’s on the Western Invite earlier within the season. Andrew Davies of UBC goals to win his second consecutive U Sports activities group title after his victory with the McMaster Marauders final 12 months.

The Guelph Gryphons have dropped two spots in our rankings after ending third behind Western and Queen’s on the Marauder Bayfront Open. Though they had been lacking their prime runner, Nick Bannon, the Gryphons, who’ve been a dominant drive in Canadian college XC for the previous 15 years, face an uphill battle for a top-five end at U Sports activities.

A group that has quietly climbed our rankings is the Sherbrooke Vert-et-Or. Sherbrooke has completed second to Laval twice this season and boasts a breakout star in U Sports activities rookie of the 12 months candidate Xavier Lemaitre. In his first 12 months at Sherbrooke, he has emerged as a top-five contender within the RSEQ convention and has helped the Vert-et-Or safe a second-place end on the RSEQ/AUS Interlock meet.

U Sports activities particular person title contenders

Jean-Simon Desgagnés (Laval Rouge-et-Or)
Phillipe Morneau-Cartier (Laval Rouge-et-Or)
Jared Howse (UNB Reds)
Max Davies (Guelph Gryphons)
Thomas Laviolette (Montreal Carabins)
Andrew Davies (UBC Thunderbirds)
Jude Wheeler-Dee (Queen’s Gaels)
Nicholas Bannon (Guelph Gryphons)

Convention predictions

OUA

Crew title: (#2) Queen’s Gaels
Particular person title: Jude-Wheeler Dee (Queen’s)

CanWest

Crew title: (#3) UBC Thunderbirds
Particular person title: Andrew Davies (UBC)

RSEQ

Crew title: (#1) Laval Rouge-et-Or 
Particular person title: Philippe Morneau-Cartier (Laval)

AUS

Crew title: (#10) St Francis Xavier X-Males 
Particular person title: Jared Howse (UNB Reds)