Simon Fraser University junior Rebecca Bassett finished third and the Clan women’s cross country team placed fourth at the 2015 Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships, held in Bellingham, Wash.
Bassett set the pace over the first 2,000 metres before Alaska Anchorage’s Joyce Chelimo and runner-up Caroline Kurgat surpassed her. Bassett crossed the finish line in 21:29.10 minutes. SFU freshman Addie Townsend finished 19th overall with a time of 22:49.20 to crack the top-20.
The Clan were attempting to defend their 2014 GNAC cross country title, but instead witnessed Alaska Anchorage scoop up its sixth championship in the last seven years.
Also placing for SFU were Paige Nock, 22nd, Reta Dobie, 30th, and Miryam Bassett in 40th.
Steelers sunk by Pilots
Taking it on the chin, the Grandview Steelers suffered a 6-1 lashing at the hands of the visiting Abbotsford Pilots on Sunday.
Trailing 2-0 after two periods and 5-0 with just 6:40 to play, the Steelers’ Kevin Allen deposited the team’s only tally on the afternoon.
Grandview was outshot 36-29 during the game, with Abbotsford’s Jacob Crawford turning aside all but one shot. A slow start did no favours for the home team, as they mustered just three shots on goal over the first 20 minutes.
The Steelers, who had ended a three-game winless skid earlier in the week, have a slim one-point lead on Delta and North Vancouver for first place in the Tom Shaw Conference.
An 8-0 start to the season is just a distant memory, as Grandview’s record now sits at 9-3-0-1.
They’ll put first place on the line Saturday when they visit North Vancouver, then return home Sunday to face Aldergrove, 4 p.m. at the Burnaby Winter Club.
Wildcats stay perfect
Burnaby Central Wildcats ended the AAA senior boys soccer regular season by maintaining an unblemished record, blanking the Burnaby North Vikings 2-0 on Monday.
The Wildcats topped the league at 7-0, while the Alpha Aztecs finished second overall with a 4-1-2 record.
In their regular season-ending test, Alpha doubled up Moscrop 4-2, Burnaby South edged Cariboo Hill 1-0, while Byrne Creek blanked New West 5-0.
The playoffs begin today with third-place Burnaby North hosting sixth-seeded Byrne Creek, while No. 4 Cariboo Hill Chargers takes on Burnaby South at Cariboo Hill.
Both games kick off at 3:30 p.m.
