Photo by APShutter.com
Victoria, B.C. – The University of Victoria Vikes claimed both the men’s and women’s team titles at the 2025 Canada West Cross Country Championships on Saturday, completing a memorable home sweep on the scenic campus of nearby Royal Roads University.
The feat marked the first time the Vikes have claimed both crowns in the same year since 1998.
The Vikes women’s team successfully defended their Canada West title, claiming their 23rd win in program history. Meanwhile, the men’s team title was the 16th in program history, and first since 2015.
“We’re really proud of our team today. For both teams to win. We’ve been working on this for a long time and it’s really special to do it at home,” said Vikes Head Coach Hilary Stellingwerff. “The men dominated today and really stepped up, and it was great to see the women as well. We’re just pumped we got the win today and we get to do it again in two weeks (at U SPORTS National Championships).”
On the men’s side, the host Vikes were led by two individual podium finishers. Jaxon Kuchar claimed the individual title as he dominated from start to finish, displaying an impressive motor as he continued to pull away from his competition, finishing the 8km track in a blistering time of 25:25.2, over 15 seconds ahead of the second place finisher.
The gold medal was Kuchar’s first Canada West Championship podium finish.
Jaxon Kuchar crosses the finish line. Photo by APShutter.com
He was joined on the podium by Vikes teammate Ian McAllister, who claimed bronze with a time of 25:56.5.
UBC’s Maximilien Filion earned the silver medal with a time of 25:42.0, helping propel the Thunderbird men to a bronze medal team finish.
The Regina Cougars claimed the team silver, led by Ian Teichler’s fifth place overall finish.
On the women’s side, it was UBCO’s Lauren McNeil capturing gold as she dominated the field, leading from start to finish while finishing the 8km track in 27:44.0. The individual title continues a run of fine form for McNeil, who won U SPORTS gold and Canada West silver a season ago.
Victoria’s Madelyn Eybergen, who captured bronze at last year’s U SPORTS Championships, hung with McNeil for the entirety of the race before a last burst pulled McNeil ahead during the home stretch. Eybergen secured the silver with a time of 27:52.2, with the second place finish representing her best result at a Canada West Championship and helping to propel the Vikes to their second consecutive women’s team title.
UBC’s Mackenzie Campbell pulled away from the pack with a time of 29:35.8 to claim the bronze, her first podium finish at a Canada West championship. She led the Thunderbirds women to a team silver. UBCO claimed the team bronze.
Racers will now prepare for the U SPORTS Cross Country Championships on Nov. 8, hosted by the University of Sherbrooke in Sherbrooke, QC.
VIEW ALL CW CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Lauren McNeil claimed the individual title. Photo by APShutter.com
Men’s Team Standings
1. University of Victoria – 40 Pts
2. University of Regina – 65 Pts
3. University of British Columbia – 83 Pts
Women’s Team Standings
1. University of Victoria – 37 Pts
2. University of British Columbia – 54 Pts
3. UBC Okanagan – 71 Pts
Individual Standings
Men’s
1. Jaxon Kuchar, Victoria – 25:25.2
2. Maximilien Filion, UBC – 25:42.0
3. Ian McAllister, Victoria – 25:56.5
4. Anthony Antaya, Saskatchewan – 26:06.6
5. Ian Teichler, Regina – 26:13.0
Women’s
1. Lauren McNeil, UBC Okanagan – 27:44.0
2. Madelyn Eybergen, Victoria – 27:52.2
3. Mackenzie Campbell, UBC – 29:35.8
4. Erin Owens, Victoria – 29:42.8
5. Olivia Cooper, Alberta – 29:47.4
2025 Canada West Award Winners
Men’s Team Coach of the Year: Hilary Stellingwerff, Victoria
Women’s Team Coach of the Year: Hilary Stellingwerff, Victoria
Rookie of the Year, Male Competition: Henry Bristol, Victoria
Rookie of the Year, Female Competition: Jenna Conrad, Calgary
Student-Athlete Community Service Award, Male Competition: Alexander Webster, Saskatchewan
Student-Athlete Community Service Award, Female Competition: Attleigh Maloney, Saskatchewan
Athlete of the Year, Male Competition: Jaxon Kuchar, Victoria
Athlete of the Year, Female Competition: Lauren McNeil, UBCO
Men’s Champion (P.S. Warren Trophy): Victoria Vikes
Women’s Champion (Harold Wright Trophy): Victoria Vikes
2025 Canada West All-Stars
Men’s First Team
- Jaxon Kuchar, Victoria
- Maximilien Filion, UBC
- Ian McAllister, Victoria
- Anthony Antaya, Saskatchewan
- Ian Teichler, Regina
- Alexander Webster, Saskatchewan
- Henry Bristol, Victoria
Men’s Second Team
- Brett MacLean, Regina
- Owen Lloyd, UBCO
- Ethan Meyer, Calgary
- Alec Teichler, Regina
- Max Cook, Calgary
- Nico Stockwell, Victoria
- Adonia Downes, Regina
Women’s First Team
- Lauren McNeil, UBCO
- Meldelyn Eybergen, Victoria
- Mackenzie Campbell, UBC
- Erin Owens, Victoria
- Olivia Cooper, Alberta
- Marisha Thompson, Victoria
- Chloe Turner, Calgary
Women’s Second Team
- Ella Lane, Victoria
- Sarah MacGillivray, UBC
- Sophie Hamilton, UBCO
- Tori Bouck, UBCO
- Natalie Boston, Alberta
- Elysse Fleming, UBC
- Abby Ylipahkala, UBC
2025 Canada West All-Rookie Team
Men’s
- Henry Bristol, Victoria
- Alec Teichler, Regina
- Nico Stockwell, Victoria
- Luc Fillion, Manitoba
- Andrew Corbeil, UBC
Women’s
- Jenna Conrad, Calgary
- Mazy McFarling, UBC
- Maraid Johnson, UBCO
- Clare Goodison, UBC
- Ella Ballard, Victoria
