EDMONTON - The UVic Vikes men's 4x800m relay team won their fifth straight conference title, and #Claire Jean# and #Darren Mazzei# added individual gold on the opening day of the Canada West Championships.

FULL RESULTS

The men's 4x800 relay team, with team members #Daniel Mallie#, #Karl Robertson#, #James Barnes# and Darren Mazzei, kept their medal streak alive with a narrow victory over Calgary. The Vikes crossed the line in 7:43.68, or just two tenths of a second better than the Calgary crew.

Mallie has been a member of four of the relay teams, including the team that began the streak in 2006. He missed last season with an injury. The 4x800 team is also four-time defending CIS champions.

Mazzei also successfully defended his title in the 1000m, winning the race in 2:30.51. The Regina native is also the reigning CIS gold medalist in the event.

Claire Jean captured gold in the 3000m race with a winning time of 9:53.57. It was the first Canada West meal for the Victoria native, while teammate Deidre Moran just missed out on the podium with a fourth-place finish.

The Vikes also added a pair of bronze medals with #Brittany Therrien# placing third in the 1000m, and later helping the 4x800m relay team to a podium finish. The 4x800 team, consisting of Therrien, #Lauren Beaulieu#, #Kendra Pomfret# and J#ulia Tschanz#, captured bronze with a time of 9:17.31.

The Canada West championships resume at Edmonton's Universiade Pavilion on Saturday. The Vikes featured events include the 600m, 1500m, and 4x400 relay.