Lancers Cross Country Caps Season at OCAA Championships
The Loyalist Lancers cross country team wrapped up their 2025 season at the OCAA Provincial Championships, hosted by Mohawk College on Saturday, October 25. Racing against some of the strongest collegiate runners in Ontario, the Lancers showed determination and steady effort to close out a season marked by growth and perseverance.
Women's Results
Leading the way for Loyalist was Cassandra Brennan, who placed 23rd overall with a time of 26:52, finishing just outside the top 20 in a highly competitive women's field. Brennan's strong performance capped off another impressive season for the veteran runner and earned her a spot at the CCAA National Championships.
Bianca Rainville followed with a solid effort, placing 36th in 30:07, demonstrating consistency throughout the fall. The women's race was won in a time of 21:56, setting a quick pace that challenged runners across the field.
Men's Results
On the men's side, Michael Griepsma once again led the way for the Lancers, finishing 31st overall in 29:22 to complete a strong rookie campaign. Griepsma has been the top Lancer finisher at every event this season, establishing himself as a key leader for the program.
Behind him, Robert Leybourne clocked 30:36 for 38th, while Christopher Robson finished a break-out season with a 51st-place finish in 33:33. Mustafa Alali and Harvinder Singh rounded out the Lancer lineup, finishing 56th (38:41) and 57th (39:28) respectively.
Despite finishing at the back of the men's team standings, the Lancers demonstrated resilience and teamwork throughout the race and the season as a whole.
The OCAA Championships capped a season defined by dedication, leadership, and development. Mustafa Alali, Christopher Robson, Robert Leybourne, Harvinder Singh, and Bianca Rainville will all graduate from their respective programs at the end of the academic year, leaving behind a lasting impact on the program through their commitment and example. With Cassandra Brennan and Michael Griepsma both set to return for the 2026 season, the Lancers have a strong foundation to build upon and exciting potential for the future. The team now shifts its focus to the offseason, eager to build on the progress made this fall and return even stronger next year.