In a display of both individual brilliance and team depth, the University of Victoria Vikes captured the 2025 U SPORTS Women’s Cross-Country Championship in commanding fashion.
Madelyn Eybergen of the Vikes was crowned the national individual champion, covering the challenging 8-kilometre Université de Sherbrooke course in a time of 27:10.00. The victory was never in doubt as the Kincardine, Ont., product established a strong lead early and powered through to finish a full 14 seconds ahead of her closest competitor.
Lauren Mcneil from the UBCO Heat secured the silver medal with a time of 27:24.00, while Alexandra Mcdougall of the Guelph Gryphons rounded out the top three, earning the bronze medal in 28:06.00.
While the individual race featured a thrilling battle at the front, the team competition was a showcase of Victoria’s sheer dominance as they captured their first national title since 2001. The Vikes placed all five of their scoring runners within the top 40, a remarkable feat in a national championship field. With Eybergen’s win complemented by Madisha Thompson in 6th, Erin Owens in 18th, Ella Lane in 41st, and Elissa Frielink in 45th, the Vikes amassed a low score of 99 points, leaving the rest of the field in their wake.
The St. Francis Xavier X-Women put forth a valiant effort to claim the team silver medal with 117 points, led by Caroline Ash in 8th place. The UBC Thunderbirds completed the podium, capturing the team bronze with 138 points.
The race also saw the crowning of the All-Canadians, with the top seven finishers earning First Team honours and those placed 8th through 14th being named to the Second Team.
Coach of the year honours went to Hilary Stellingwerff of the Vikes, while the Rookie of the Year was Léane Baril of Laval.
The Student-Athlete Community Service Award went to Sarah White, a fourth-year biomedical engineering major from Toronto. She becomes the second Varsity Blue to receive the honour following Christiana Agustin in 2017. Awarded based on achievements in athletics, academics and community service; White displayed all three in an exemplary fashion throughout the 2025 fall season.
A U SPORTS academic all-Canadian, she has consistently maintained honour roll status throughout her four seasons competing in the Blue and White, while studying in one of the most rigourous programs. On the trail she captured a bronze medal at the Don Mills Open 6km race, earned Top 25 finishes at the Western Invitational and Marauder Bayfront 8-Kay, and placed 28th in the 127-person field at the OUA Championships. Finally, as a leader she is a team captain with the Varsity Blues women’s cross country team. Additionally, she serves as vice president with the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) club at U of T, volunteered at Sunnybrook Research Institute, and previously served as director for the Club for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering (CUBE).
2025 U SPORTS WOMEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
First Team All-Canadians
1. Madelyn Eybergen, Victoria — 27:10.00
2. Lauren Mcneil, UBCO — 27:24.00
3. Alexandra Mcdougall, Guelph — 28:06.00
4. Julia Agostinelli, Toronto — 28:22.00
5. Sophie Courville, McGill — 28:30.00
6. Marisha Thompson, Victoria — 28:35.00
7. Elisa Tripotin, UQAM — 28:46.00
Second Team All-Canadians
8. Caroline Ash, STFX — 28:47.00
9. Olivia Cooper, Alberta — 28:47.00
10. Maria Linton, Western — 28:50.00
11. Sophie Coutts, Western — 28:59.00
12. Leane Baril, Laval — 29:01.00
13. Laurence Gauthier, Sherbrooke — 29:01.00
14. Samara Quanz, Windsor — 29:02.00
Final Team Scores
1. Victoria Vikes — 99
2. St. Francis Xavier X-Women — 117
3. UBC Thunderbirds — 138
4. Queen’s Gaels — 169
5. Laval Rouge et Or — 190
6. Western Mustangs — 194
7. UNB Reds — 218
8. McMaster Marauders — 226
9. Windsor Lancers — 240
10. UBC Okanagan Heat — 276
11. Calgary Dinos — 298
12. Guelph Gryphons — 302
13. Sherbrooke Vert & Or — 307
14. Alberta Pandas — 347
15. Montreal Carabins — 349
16. Dalhousie Tigers — 378
17. Toronto Varsity Blues — 414
18. UQAM Citadins — 417
19. Saskatchewan Huskies — 497
20. Brock Badgers — 526
21. York Lions — 605
22. UQAC Inuk — 666
MAJOR AWARD WINNERS:
Athlete of the Year: Madelyn Eybergen, Victoria
Rookie of the Year: Léane Baril, Laval
Student-Athlete Community Service Award: Sarah White, Toronto
Bob Vigars Award (Fox40 Coach of the Year): Hilary Stellingwerff, Victoria