Oak Bay runners race to glory at high school cross-country provincials

It’s becoming routine for the Oak Bay High School boys’ cross-country running team, and this time the girls’ squad joined in on the fun as the Bays swept the B.C. high school titles at the provincial finals at Jericho Beach in Vancouver last weekend.

While the Oak Bay boys won for the third straight year, the Oak Bay girls raced past defending champion Sentinel Secondary of North Vancouver to claim the 2017 overall team title, their first provincial crown since 2009. Leading the way was senior Justine Stecko, who won the individual gold medal in the 4.6-kilometre race. Teammate Alisa Lyesina was 20th, with Sarah Bryan 21st and Cara Butler 37th place.

On the boys’ side, Oak Bay edged R.E. Mountain of Langley for the overall title. Leading the way was Findlay Day. The Island champion finished 11th in the 6.9-kilometre race at Jericho Beach. Jack Boden came across in 22nd, while Michael Barber was 34th and Joe Robertson 37th. Reynolds Secondary earned the team bronze medal.

Alexander golden at Quebec judo event

Tristan Alexander made the long trek to Montreal last weekend for the annual Quebec Open Judo Tournament and the trip was more than worth it.

Alexander, of the Victoria Judo Club, won the gold medal in the men’s U-21 plus-100kg class, finishing the weekend with a 4-0 record.

Alexander’s clubmate, Tiffany Coolican, also had an impressive weekend, earning the silver medal in the women’s U-21 minus-57kg class.

And Finn Schroder won bronze in the men’s U-18 minus-60kg division.

Mariners in historic volleyball match

It was one for the ages, and the record book.

The Vancouver Island University Mariners and Capilano University Blue men’s volleyball teams played a marathon set of volleyball last weekend that the Pacwest says was the highest scoring in its history.

The Blues prevailed 44-42 over the Mariners in the second set of their five-set match, which was also won by Capilano 24-26, 44-42, 25-23, 21-25, 15-12.

The Mariners did bounce back the next day, beating Capilano in four sets.

VIU is back at it this weekend with road matches Friday and Saturday at the College of the Rockies.

Time to lace up for Bear Mountain 10K

It’s billed as the “Canada’s hardest 10K” and it’s right around the corner.

The 12th annual Bear Mountain 10K goes Nov. 19 at 9:30 a.m. and the challenging race offers hills, descents and panoramic views of the ocean and mountains.

Registration for the race can be done at bearmountain10K.ca.