Lancers X-Country Gearing Up for Championship Push

The Loyalist Lancers cross country team has been steadily building momentum through the fall season, combining strong individual performances with steady team progress as they head into the OCAA Championships this weekend.

 

First-year student Michael Griepsma has made an immediate impact since arriving at Loyalist, leading the team as the top Lancer finisher at every race so far. His performances, leadership, and positive energy quickly earned him the role of team captain — a rare achievement for a first-year athlete.

 

Griepsma's breakout season includes setting the #1 all-time Loyalist mark at Fanshawe (29:41) and posting the #2 all-time Lancer performance at Fort Henry (18:29) earlier in the year. His consistency has set the tone for the entire roster.

"Michael arrived ready to work and ready to lead," said Head Coach, Kevin Beatty. "He's shown the commitment and competitiveness that elevate everyone around him."

 

Alongside Griepsma, the Lancers' lineup is anchored by a veteran group — including fifth-year runner Mustafa Alali and returning MVPs Cassandra Brennan and Robert Leybourne. Together, they've created a culture built on work ethic, dedication, and an unwavering drive for peak performance.

 

Christopher Robson has also emerged as one of the team's biggest success stories this season. After clocking in at 37:00 in 2023, Robson has cut his time dramatically — first to 34:22, and most recently to 32:42, solidifying himself as the team's consistent #3 runner.

"Christopher's improvement is a reflection of the team's approach — steady, smart, and hardworking," Coach Beatty noted. "He's built confidence and learned how to pace with faster groups, which is exactly the type of growth we want to see."

 

The Lancers opened their season at Fort Henry on September 20th, where the team shook off the rust and set the tone for the weeks ahead. Every returning athlete improved their previous year's time — Leybourne by 32 seconds, Robson by two minutes, and Alali by 1:51 — while newcomers made their mark with impressive debuts. Griepsma claimed an age-group gold, while Bianca Rainville, Robert Leybourne, and Christopher Robson also reached the podium in their divisions.

 

Two weeks later at Fanshawe (October 4th), Cassandra Brennan made her season debut after setting a marathon personal best in early September. Both she and Griepsma placed 20th in their respective races, putting them in strong position for Nationals qualification. The men's team finished 9th overall, narrowly behind Seneca and Lambton, and showed tremendous grit in the final stretch of the race.

 

At the Mountaineer Invitational (October 11th) — a preview of the upcoming OCAA Championship course — the Lancers continued to trend upward. Brennan and Griepsma each finished 19th, while Bianca Rainville (29:58) and Robert Leybourne (29:54) both broke the 30-minute barrier for the first time in their college careers.

 

As the Lancers prepare for the OCAA Championships, the focus is on strategic racing and confidence.

 

"To achieve our team and individual goals, we need to focus on positioning — attaching ourselves to the pack and not getting isolated," Coach Beatty explained. "We've had great practices lately where everyone works on pacing with faster groups. Once that confidence builds, big gains can happen on race day."

 

With Griepsma and Brennan both aiming for top-15 finishes to qualify for Nationals in Charlottetown, PEI on November 8th, and the men's team targeting schools just ahead of them in the standings, every stride will count. Strong races from Harvinder Singh and Mustafa Alali could make the difference in team standings and propel Loyalist past key rivals.

 

No matter the outcome, the 2025 season has already showcased the Lancers' progress — from first-year breakthroughs to veteran leadership, steady improvement, and a growing belief in what's possible.