We fondly remember the 2010s.
2018 Highland Games 5-miler racers gathered around coach Bernie Chisholm.
We could say it culminated with the 2018 Highland Games, where many of us returned to Antigonish to celebrate coach Bernie Chisholm’s retirement. Gathered on the Columbus Field stands, sweaty and exhausted (suave Matt Eliot and his suit notwithstanding), we noticed that it was the end of an era.
It was the era of Brent Addison’s flowing mullet, Erin MacNeil’s vintage Nike singlet, and Jullian (Sullivan) MacLean’s Pitter Patter t-shirt. It was an era of iconic moments, like:
Natalie Kannenberg’s ninth-place finish at the CIS XC championship of 2010
Angus Rawling’s gold medal performance in the 3,000m at the 2018 U SPORTS championship
Coach Eric Gillis’ record-breaking 10th place finish in the 2016 Olympic marathon in Rio
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The last decade was kind to our program, but let’s not spend too much time dwelling on the past. Bernie had warned me about the perils of hubris and nostalgia when he saw me clanging some old AUS medals together in awe, probably a year after they were won.
“Cyr, put those away. You’re a legend in your own mind,” he said, shaking his head. I swear that man can see right through me.
So let’s not make ourselves legends, and spend just a quick minute scrolling down and remembering the past. We will then join current X-Man Luc Gallant for a Holiday season tempo workout. Finally, we will shift our focus towards the future - we have at least four reasons to get excited.
Happy New Year to all,
Hail and Health!
The Past
A quick overview of the decade:
St. FX X-Women AUS championship teams: 2012
St. FX X-Men AUS championship teams: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
The 2012 St. FX X-Men - AUS champions
AUS XC medalists women:
Natalie Kannenberg - 🥈2010
Melissa Hardy - 🥇2013
Liz MacDonald - 🥉2016
Jane Hergett - 🥈2019
Liz MacDonald (2017 graduate) en route to a bronze medal at the 2016 AUS championship
AUS XC medalists men:
Connor McGuire (2013 graduate) running towards his second straight title at the 2012 AUS championship in Point Pleasant Park, Halifax.
Connor McGuire 🥈 2010, 🥇2011, 🥇2012
Ivan Lewis - 🥉 2010
Riley Johnston - 🥈2011, 🥉 2013, 🥉 2014
Scott Donald - 🥉2012, 🥇2014, 🥈 2015, 🥉2016
Cal Dewolfe - 🥉 2015, 🥇2016
Alex Cyr - 🥈2016
Angus Rawling - 🥇2017, 🥇2018
Alex Neuffer - 🥈- 2017, 🥉2018
Paul MacLellan - 🥈2019
Jacob Benoit - 🥉 2019
Coach of the year:
Bernie Chisholm: 2012 (women) 2011-2016 (men)
Eric Gillis: 2018 (men)
Left to right: Melissa Hardy (2014 graduate), Bernie Chisholm, Natalie Kannenberg (2013 graduate)
Top finish at CIS/U SPORTS championship
Women: 7th - 2011
Men: 7th - 2015
Top individual finishes at CIS/U SPORTS championship
Women:
Natalie Kannenberg - 2010 - 9
Men:
Angus Rawling - 2017 - 10
Angus Rawling (2019 graduate) leading the 2018 AUS-RSEQ Interlock race
The present
Luc Gallant is getting ready for his second indoor season, and we caught up with him on his home province of Prince Edward Island.
The Future
A new decade means new athletes. With eight months to go before the 2020-21 season, four recruits from across the country have already committed to the Blue and White. They are talented, they are keen, they like chickens. Welcome to the family:
Jack Wierzbicki
Hometown: Brooklin, ON
Club: Durham Dragons Athletics
Favourite race distance: 1500m
Reasons for choosing St. FX: I needed a change from home, the east coast is a beautiful place and I had family members who had lived in Nova Scotia and had attended St. FX. I think the last factor that pushed me to come here though was the guys. Seeing them in Montreal and on my visit, I could tell they were a tight group and they took me in right away.
Program of study: Human Kinetics Bachelor of Science
Residence on campus: As of right now, MacIsaac
Hobbies other than running: Playing lacrosse
Nickname: Cheesy
Favourite movie or show: Harry Potter
Favourite book: Hunger Games
Special talent: I'm a pretty decent cook
What should people know about you: I'm pretty simplistic and easy going.
Would you rather run 200k in a week, or spend a week raising 100 chickens? (Coach Eric has done both): Spend a week raising 100 chickens
Eileen Benoit
Hometown: Windsor, Nova Scotia
Club: Valley Athletics
Favourite race distance: Anything Cross Country; I find it keeps me more engaged and focused because the terrain is always changing
Reasons for choosing St. FX: I have more than a few reasons. One of the biggest is because I’m familiar with Antigonish, as my dad grew up there and many of my family members have gone to StFX including my brother, Jacob, who is in his first year and is really enjoying it. The team aspect played a large role in my decision as well. I had the opportunity to spend time with the women’s team and see how well they work together. They answered any questions I had and made me feel as though I was already a part of the team.
Program of study: Human Kinetics Bachelor of Science
Hobbies other than running: When I’m not busy with running and school, I enjoy painting with watercolours and reading.
Nickname: I don’t really have a nickname, but I’ve heard people quote Dexys Midnight Runners’ song, Come On Eileen, more than a few times.
Favourite show: It’s hard to say, but off the top of my head, I’d probably say The Mentalist. As for movies and books, you can’t ever go wrong with Harry Potter.
Would you rather run 200k in a week, or spend a week raising 100 chickens?(Coach Eric has done both): I would much rather run 200k in a week than raise 100 chickens because I can shower, the chickens can’t.
Yared Tareke
Hometown: Ottawa
Club: Ottawa Lions
Favorite race distance: 1500m
Reasons for choosing St. FX: I liked the smaller community aspect opposed to larger universities
What program will you study: Bachelor of Business
Residence on campus: MacIsaac Hall
Hobbies other than running: photography, coaching
Nickname: YT
Favourite movie or show: The Office
Favorite book: Percy Jackson
Special talent: I can do a backflip
What should people know about you: Love listening to my music out loud
Would you rather run 200k in a week, or spend a week raising 100 chickens? (Coach Eric has done both): I would have to chose to spend a week raising chickens.
Allie Sandluck
Hometown: MacPhersons Mills
Club: Pictou County Athletics
Favourite race distance: 3000m
Reasons for choosing St. FX: Close to home and was strongly influenced by my older sister.
What program will you study: Human Kinetics
Residence on campus: Mount Saint Bernard
Hobbies other than running: Hockey
Nickname: Alicat
Favourite movie or show: The Office
Favourite book: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
Special talent: None
What should people know about you: I have an older sister on the cross country team, Breanna Sandluck
Would you rather run 200k in a week, or spend a week raising 100 chickens? (Coach Eric has done both): Wow! Coach Eric has his hands full. Not sure I could do either if I’m being honest, but I would probably pick a week raising 100 chickens. Chickens could be fun.
Alex Cyr is a 2017 St. FX graduate who now lives in Toronto. He played in the BURmac game once and tells everyone about it.