Banner Season: Racers ready to hit their stride in the Limestone City
Burlington, Ont. – Runners from across the province look to hit their stride on the championship stage. The Queen’s Gaels will host a full field of conference racers at CFB Kingston Fort Henry Cross Country Trail at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Cross Country Championships. The home team will look to hold on to their men’s title on their own course, while the Western Mustangs women are looking to capture the three-peat this weekend.
EVENT DETAILS
Host: Queen’s Gaels
Date: October 25, 2025
Venue: CFB Kingston Fort Henry Cross Country Trail
Participating Teams: Seventeen (17)
Format: Women's Open Championship; Men's Open Championship
Past Champions: Western Mustangs (W); Queen’s Gaels (M)
STUDENT-ATHLETES TO WATCH
Julia Agostinelli, Toronto Varsity Blues | After an eighth-place finish at the OUA Championships in 2024, the London, Ont. product won the Don Mills Open and placed fourth at Western Invitational this season. A force to be reckoned with on the course, Agostinelli was the U SPORTS gold medalist in the 1500m last season as well.
Jacob Fitzpatrick, Windsor Lancers | Fitzpatrick is the two-time reining Windsor Lancers team most valuable runner. The local product, completing his masters in business, has been the top performer for the Lancers this season with a third-place and two sixth-place finishes over three meets.
Zoe Gardiner, Ottawa Gee-Gees | Gardiner is a first-year medical student who competed on both the soccer and track teams at McGill. She is looking to lead the Gee-Gees to a strong performance at the OUA Championships this year.
Alexandra McDougall, Guelph Gryphons | The Port Perry, Ont. native has had a sensational 2025 season, winning both the Vigars & Salter Western Invitational and Marauder Bayfront Open. She is poised for a strong performance in Kingston.
Angus Skinner, Queen’s Gaels | Skinner has now emerged as the runner to take on the mantle of leadership, along with fifth-year captains Roman Mironov and Jude Wheeler-Dee. The second-year education student was the Gaels second runner at the recent Bayfront meet and will be looking for an individual podium finish at the OUA Championships as well.
Ian Thomson, McMaster Marauders | Thompson won the Vigars & Salter Western Invitational and aims to lead the Marauders to their fourth medal in five years. He is also the 2025 Canadian U20 Champion in the 5000m with a time of 14:22.39.
Keon Wallingford, Laurentian Voyageurs | The leader of the Voyageurs men’s team, the fifth-year social work student won the Waterloo race this year and will be pushing for a top placement at the OUA finale.
BURNING QUESTIONS
Can top Lancers Joelle Olla and Samara Quanz perform to a level that is among the best in the province?
Led by gold medal contender Julia Agostinelli, can the Varsity Blues women race back into a podium position?
Will the Gaels men’s contingent show the same focus as last year’s team that won Queen’s first OUA title in over 30 years?
A young team on the rise, can the Marauders men’s side translate season success into a championship banner?
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“It’s a very good team roster this season! The team is looking very strong! The guys and girls are working very hard and really looking forward to a competitive OUA Championships.” – Helen Cooper, Head Coach, Ottawa Gee-Gees
"Both our men’s and women’s teams are looking to repeat as the best overall OUA program, after finishing first on the men’s and second on the women’s side.” - Mark Bomba, Head Coach, Queen’s Gaels
"I’m really looking forward to running my last OUA cross country race. Last year I had to sit out with an injury and despite some setbacks this past month I’m excited for the opportunity to get back out there. Our women’s team is looking really strong this year with high hopes of defending our title. We just need to work together and have some fun!” - Sophie Coutts, Student-Athlete, Western Mustangs