KELOWNA, B.C. — This Saturday, the McMaster cross country team flew west for the U SPORTS national championships. 

Both Marauder teams finished seventh overall. 

The men's 8km went off first. Alexander Purnell (Dundas, Ont.) led the Marauder charge finishing 18th with a time of 23:59. William Weist (Toronto, Ont.) followed up in 39th, crossing the line at 24:26, with Samuel Patrick (Guelph, Ont.) close behind in 47th with a time of 24:29. Next for the Marauders was Matthew Markson (Toronto, Ont.) in 57th coming across the line with a time of 24:40 and the team score was completed by Giancarlo Farruggia (Hamilton, Ont.) who finished in 61st with a time of 24:43. 

The women's 8km started following the end of the men's race. Ana Morariu (Kincardine, Ont.) crossed the line first for the Marauder women in 14th with a time of 27:41. Kayla Overholt (Burlington, Ont.) came up next for the Marauders in 50th, crossing in 28:54. Emma Elliot (Guelph, Ont.) and Victoria Lamb (London, Ont.) followed close behind, crossing within two seconds of each other in 58th and 59th, clocking a time of 29:01 and 29:03. Capping off the Marauder team score was Kara Tichbourne (Meaford, Ont.) in 79th, finishing with a time of 29:36. 

Morariu received national honours and was named to the Women's Second All-Canadian Team for her standout performance. 

The national championships brought McMaster's season to a close. Next up, indoor track!