KINGSTON -- Kevin Tree retained his Queen's Open title in Kingston on Saturday, placing first for the second year in a row.
Tree led the Lakehead University men's running team to a 3rd place finish of the 11 teams competing. Lakehead's women's team placed 5th out of nine teams.
"As a team the men ran much better today than they have up to this point," said coach Kip Sigsworth.
"Tree was great and ran a patient race, taking the lead on the last lap and hanging on for the win."
Referring to Dominique Aulagnon, Mason Quarell and Trevor Zimak, Sigsworth noted, "Our second, third and fourth runners really stepped up today, especially Mason. It was a huge step in the right direction."
Gavin Shields placed fifth for the 'Wolves, an effort worth of being 34th overall.
Callie Roelfsema and Marla Keyes led the way for Lakehead's women, placing 16th and 19th, respectively. Kayla Gallo, Natasha Frank and Heather Maxfield finished 36th, 37th and 39th overall.
"The women ran okay," summarized Sigsworth. "Not the best race of the season but they know what they need to do in order to run well at OUA's in two weeks."
Lakehead was only seven points back of finishing in second place but the Queen's Gales edged out Thunder Bay's team with 62 points.
The University of Waterloo will host the OUA Championships in two weeks.
