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University of New Brunswick

REDS Men Claim AUS Team Title

Jared Howse leads a pack during the men's 8 kilometre race at Saturday's AUS Championships, in Halifax. Howse finished 2nd overall while the REDS won the men's team title. (PHOTO: Eduardo Ibarra/for SMU Athletics)
Jared Howse leads a pack during the men's 8 kilometre race at Saturday's AUS Championships, in Halifax. Howse finished 2nd overall while the REDS won the men's team title. (PHOTO: Eduardo Ibarra/for SMU Athletics)
October 28, 2023

(HALIFAX, NS) UNB's men's cross country team is the champion of Atlantic University Sport men's cross country for the first time since 2001.

Four top ten finishes in Saturday's 8-kilometre men's race at the AUS Championships, held at Point Pleasant Park in Halifax, put the REDS atop the men's team standings.

Jared Howse led UNB, claiming the silver medal, while William Boyle ran third for the bronze.

The team title was the 23rd in UNB history, but first in more than two decades.

"The group didn't have a perfect day, but executed the race plan well," said REDS head coach Chris Belof. "It's an awesome group of young men dedicated to the process and the work."

Howse and Boyle finished behind race winner Jacob Benoit, of the Dalhousie Tigers, who finished third in the team standings behind the STFX X-Men.

"It was a really good race," said Howse. "I kind of just waited until we got into that third lap, me and Benoit both made a surge for it and I just held on as best as I could and it ended up pretty good."

UNB's Benjamin Perrett ran 8th just ahead of teammate Isaac Cull, who was 9th. Mitchell Kean ran to a 13thplace finish.

"We're excited about this step for the program," said Coach Belof. "We talk regularly about the groups that have come before us and all the athletes that have contributed to this group's success."

Boyle had to really work for his third place finish, out-sprinting two other runners to the finish line for the final spot on the medal podium.

"It means a lot," said Boyle of his bronze medal. "I really wanted to get this medal, it's been a long time coming. I stayed patient early on in the race and made my move on that third lap and never looked back and kind of held on."

Howse and Boyle were named 1st Team AUS All-Stars while Perrett, Cull and Kean were named 2nd Team All-Stars.

Belof was named AUS Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year.

The REDS will now shift their focus to the U SPORTS Cross Country Championships, in London, Ontario, on November 12th.

 

STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Eduardo Ibarra/for SMU Athletics