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Vringer Captures Gold at Canadian Cross Country Championships

by Utah Athletics
Nov 26, 2022
Photo Credit: Sean Burges

OTTAWA – Utah cross country freshman Erin Vringer blew past her competition on Saturday to capture gold in the U20 Women's 6k race at the Canadian Cross Country Championships on a cold and muddy day at Mooney's Bay with a mark of 21:55.
 
"I think this was an outstanding effort by all of our women today," head coach Kyle Kepler said after the races concluded Saturday.
 
Vringer led the race from start to finish in dominating fashion and crossed the finished line 58 seconds ahead the next best finisher. The victory also earns her a spot on the U20 team to represent Team Canada at the World Championships on Feb. 18, 2023, in Bathurst, Australia.

"I felt really good and strong during the race today," Vringer said. "It was my last race of the season and I wanted to give it everything I had. Coach Kepler and my training with the team helped prepare me for the race. So excited to rep the U in Canada!"

 
As seen all season with the Women of Utah, the Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, product used her strength to finish strong in the final 4k of the race. Vringer ran her first 2k with a 3:57/km pace before putting on the afterburners with a pace of a 3:27/km at the 4k mark and finished with a 3:32/km pace in the final 2k.   "Erin dominated the U20 6k race," Kepler said of the freshman's performance. "Near the end of the first loop she surged to the lead and no one went with her or was in sight at the end there."
 
Simone Plourde just missed a spot on the Canadian National Team to compete in World Championships after finishing 10th in the women's senior 10k race. Like Vringer, Plourde finished strong in the final 2k of the race with a pace of 3:26/km for a final time of 35:41.0.
 
"Simone ran smart in her first ever 10k on the grass," Kepler noted postrace. "She moved from 15th on the opening 2k loop to the top-10 in a field that included three Canadian Olympians and held her own against the best in her country in her first senior XC championship appearance."
 
Over in the U18 4k race, Utah signee Kyla Martin placed sixth out of 221 competitors with a run of 15:13.0. Martin, who signed with the Utes this fall, will come to SLC with plenty of experience having competed in several top events during her prep career. She'll also join her sister, Emily Martin, who is currently a freshman on the track & field team.
 
"Kyla ran well against her peers, moving from eighth to sixth over the final two 2k loops," said Kepler of his incoming freshman next fall. "She continues to develop her XC skills in a nationally setting."
 
Across the pond, former Utah All-American Poppy Tank took fifth in the senior women's race at the British Athletics Cross Challenge Liverpool in Sefton Park with a time of 27:44 on the 8.1K course. The Plymouth, Devon, England, native will now find out next week if her finish will be good enough to earn her a spot on the British Team at the European Cross Country Championships on Dec. 11 at Piemonte-La Madria Park located just outside of Turin, Italy.
 
"Another great race for Poppy at the UK Euro qualifying meet," Coach Kepler mentioned of his former All-American. "I would think her previous experience on British European Championships teams will matter in the selection process."
 
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
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