VICTORIA - Vancouver Island track and field champions Thomas Riva and Shauna McInnis have announced their intentions to come to UVic and run for the Vikes.

Riva, who attends Kwalikum Secondary, won the 800m event earlier this month at the Island championship. His personal best in the race is 1:56.8, and is also a member of the BC Under-17 team. In the fall, Riva was the gold medalist at the Island cross-country championship and finished fourth in the province.

McInnis, who attends Stelly's Secondary, is the Island's current champion in the 800m, and has a personal best of 2:16.34 in the race. McInnis placed 15th at the Island cross-country championship, and finished 20th at the provincial meet.

"There are some tremendous runners on the Island and we are excited to welcome two of the best up-and-comers to the Vikes program," said head coach #Brent Fougner#. "They've both had success in high school, now the challenge is for them to raise their performances and be champions at the university level."

The Vikes men's and women's cross-country teams have won a combined 13 CIS championships, and last year the women were Canada West champions. On the track, the Vikes have won 85 individual medals at the CIS championships.