1980 University of Victoria Women’s Cross County “A Legacy of running”
- Unknown
Roster | NAME |
| Debbie Scott |
| Anne Harrison |
| Maeve Lydon |
| Debbie Campbell |
| Denise Kelly |
| Meghan Lambeth |
Ron Bowker (Head Coach)
Biography Led by head coach
Ron Bowker, the University of Victoria women’s cross country team geared up of their first Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) national championship. The University of Guelph hosted the first cross-country championship meet that year in 1980.
Leading up to the ultimate championship meet, the Vikettes travelled to Lethbridge University in Alberta for the Canada West championships.
Victoria runner
Debbie Scott led the way for the Vikettes. Scott won the individual results in a time of 17 minutes and 18 seconds, followed by teammate
Anna Harrison who crossed the finish line fourth at a time of 18:40.2. Vikette
Maeve Lydon clocked in at 18:56.5 for a seventh place finish and
Debbie Campbell finished ninth at a time of 19:09.4. The combined total berthed the Vikettes a Canada West title with a low 21 points. The University of Alberta took home the silver medal (30 points), while the University of Saskatchewan captured the bronze medal (43 points).
The 1980 Canada West title marked UVic’s second women’s cross-country Canada West banner.
Stealing four top 10 Canada West finishes, the Vikettes sat confidently heading into nationals. They travelled east to Guelph, Ontario for the inaugural women’s CIAU national cross-country championship meet.
The Vikettes women’s team of Scott, Campbell, Lydon, Harrison,
Denise Kelly and
Meghan Lambeth captured the overall team gold medal and the first CIAU National Championship title. Head coach Bowker was named 1980 CIAU Coach of the Year.
Scott became one of the most successful and decorated Canadian runners. She held a Canadian record in five different distances and was selected to run in three Olympic games (1980 (boycotted), 1984, 1988). Scott finished in the top eight at the 1981 World Cross-Country Championships and captured a brilliant victory at the New York Mile in 1982. During her prolific career, Scott earned 26 Canadian titles, was recognized as Victoria’s female athlete-of-the-year and was inducted into the University of Victoria Hall of Fame in 2001.
Season Summary
Canada West Meet at Lethbridge University Team Results
| Place | Team | Points |
| 1. | Victoria | 21 |
| 2. | Alberta | 30 |
| 3. | Saskatchewan | 43 |
| 4. | Calgary | 70 |
| 5. | British Columbia | 77 |
| 6. | Manitoba (GPAC) | 84 |
| 7. | Lethbridge | 126 |
Vikes Individual Results at Lethbridge University
| Place | Athlete | Time |
| 1. | Debbie Scott | 17:18 |
| 2. | Anna Harrison | 18:40.2 |
| 7. | Maeve Lydon | 18:56.5 |
| 9. | Debbie Campbell | 19:09.4 |
Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union Meet @ Guelph Coach of the Year: Ron Bowker
