The University of Toronto Varsity Blues cross country teams will head to Osprey Links Golf Course in Callander, Ont., to compete in the 2024 OUA Cross Country Championships this Saturday (Oct. 26), hosted by Nipissing University.

Last fall, the Toronto men earned provincial bronze, while the women came in seventh overall.

Aiming for another podium performance, the Blues men will look to fifth-year veteran and 2023 individual bronze medalist Ben Shore to lead the way once again. This fall he has already claimed a bronze, placing third overall at the annual Don Mills Open. Other Top 20 results for the Blues men this season include a 10^th place finish for first-year runner Parker Levac at the Western Invitational, and 19^th and 20^th place finishes from Aam Pralat and Anton Mlynczyk at the Don Mills Open, which combined with Shore's effort produced a team bronze.

The Blues women have also seen several strong outings this fall, led by the defending OUA champion Julia Agostinelli. Following four years at Guelph University, Agostinelli has made an immediate impact in her first season as a Varsity Blues, capturing silver at the Western Invitational, gold at the Don Mills Open, and a fifth-place finish at the Marauder Invitational. Varsity Blues veterans Sarah Luedke and Sophie Levasseur have also impressed with Top 20 finishes in Waterloo, helping the women to a second place team finish.

"This season our cross country team has done very well both on the practice trails and in our races. We have had strong results and lots of fun doing it all, running with a smile every mile" said lead cross country coach Walter Faion. "Both our men's and women's teams believe in themselves and are ready to run at the championships."

Competition will begin with the men scheduled to race at 11 a.m. and the women immediately after at 12 p.m.