Goncalves Leads REDS

UNB's Natalie Irving, front, and Ila Gurney, right, compete in Saturday's rain-soaked AUS cross country season opening race, in Wolfville. (PHOTO: Peter Oleskevich/for Acadia Athletics)

September 7, 2024

(WOLFVILLE, NS) The UNB REDS ran to a sixth place finish in the team standings at the opening race of the 2024 Atlantic University Sport women's cross country season, the Acadia Invitational, in Wolfville.

Ava Goncalves (West St. Paul, MB) was the top REDS finisher, in 31^st place.

"The course in Wolfville is always fun and very challenging," said Goncalves. "I'm happy with my race and where my fitness is at and I'm excited about the upcoming season."

First-year RED Makayla Burke (Hastings, NS) was 38^th, while Natalie Irving (Fredericton, NB) ran 50^th, Kelsey Hanson (Kelowna, BC) 52^nd, and Ila Gurney (Harmony, NS) 53^rd.

Moncton's Sophie Black (Dieppe, NB) won the race.

"It was a challenging day on the women's side," said REDS' head coach Chris Belof. "A tough course and rainy conditions made the day a true cross country day."

"Our women's group is young and they'll grow from this performance," he added. "The Acadia group did an outstanding job hosting in tough conditions and we greatly appreciate their efforts."

The next event on the AUS schedule is September 21^st, at STFX. The REDS will send a split squad on the road that weekend, with some going to Antigonish and a contingent going to the Western Invitational, in London, ON.

"My teammates had a solid day," said Goncalves. "It was a great way to get the season started as a team."

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Peter Oleskevich/for Acadia Athletics