The McMaster Marauders distance track team made their presence known at the Bob Vigars Season Opener on Sunday Nov. 28.
 
Hosted by the Western Mustangs, the meet included over 60 events participated in by universities across Ontario.
 
Athletes from McMaster competed in the men's 1000m, the women's 3000m, and the men's 3000m.
 
After an outstanding cross country season, the long distance runners proved that a shift to indoor competition wouldn't affect their winning status.
 
With a gold-medal in the OUA Championship and a fourth-place finish in the U Sports Championship, McMaster's Andrew Davies continued his impressive streak, breaking the facility record in the men's 3000m with a time of 8:10.03.
 
Making an impression alongside Davies was Ryan Tyrell, who placed second in the event with a time of 8:13.81 — both Davies and Tyrell automatically qualify for the U Sports 3000m Championship with times faster than the qualifying time of 8:15.88.
 
The U Sports Championships will be held on Mar. 11 and 12 at the Irving Oil Field House in Saint John, N.B., hosted by the University of New Brunswick.
 
Other notable McMaster racers in the men's 3000m were Alex Drover and Sam Nusselder, who placed fifth and seventh, respectively.
 
In the women's 3000m, the Marauders earned nine of the top 10 spots.
 
OUA bronze medalist Erin Mawhinney took the event with a time of 9:54.77, four seconds ahead of the second-place finisher, Hope Harnack, also representing the Marauders.
 
McMaster veteran Caroline Forbes followed in third place with a time of 10:05.44.
 
The Marauders also made an impact in the men's 1000m, clinching the top four individual spots, ahead of racers from Laurier and Western.
 
McMaster's Henry Gage crossed the finish line first with a time of 2:34.63, followed by Connor Black, Noah Mulkewich, and Ryan Were.
 
2021 Meet Schedule:
Sat Jan. 29- Don Wright, Western
Sun Feb. 6- Team Challenge, Windsor
Feb. 11/12- Valentine Invitational, Boston University
Feb. 25/26- OUA Championships
Mar. 11/12- U Sports Championships