1985 University of Victoria Women’s Cross Country “Sometimes running is the only thing
that makes sense.”
- Unknown
Women’s Roster | Brenda Shackleton |
| Karen Rainey |
| Mary Ross |
| Cathy Dargie |
| Liz Jones |
| Kelly Richardson |
| Cynthia Karras |
Ron Bowker (Head Coach)
Biography The University of Victoria women’s cross-country team hoisted the 1985 Canada West championship banner and the Canadian Interuniveristy Athletic Union banner in a brillant season. A Vikettes squad of
Brenda Shackleton, Karen Rainey, Mary Ross, Cathy Dargie, Cynthia Karras and Liz Jones raced in top form to capture top finishes at both events.
This season, the Vikettes who were led by All-Canadian and two-time Canada West defending champion, Rainey, hosted the 1985 Canada West conference championship meet at Beacon Hill Park in Victoria BC.
Five Vikettes including, Jones, Dargie, Ross, Rainey and Shackleton, finished in the top 10 and all within just over a minute of each other. Jones crossed the line in eighth place (18:18), Dargie in sixth (17:46) and Ross (17:40) and Rainey (17:38) who were seconds apart finishing a solid third and fourth place. Leading the Vikettes was rookie sensation Shackleton who managed to steal the gold medal by overtaking Manitoba Great Plains runner by two seconds. In the final 600 meters, Shackleton, who trailed the Manitoba runner majority of the race, broke away to capture the gold (17:13).
Earning a team low of 22 points, the Vikettes raised the Canada West banner for the sixth consecutive year. This was also the women’s cross-country program’s seventh Canada West title.
The Vikettes travelled to Sherbrooke, Quebec for the Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union (CIAU) national Championships. After taking home of the first CIAU title in 1980, the UVic women’s cross-country team had been unable to repeat the victory. But with one of the strongest finishes at the conference championship the week before, the Vikettes were heavy contingents heading into the national championships.
The women ran a 5 000 meter course at the CIAU national meet. In 17:47.7 minutes, Shackleton won the 1985 CIAU individual race. Ross was close behind clocking in at 18:04.5 to finish fourth. Rainey, Dargie, Jones and
Kelly Richardson finished respectively in seventh, 11
th, 14
th and 16
th.
With a combined team total of 37 points, UVic took home their second CIAU national banner from Sherbrooke , Quebec.
Brenda Shackleton (Silverado Socrates) was honoured with almost every accolade including the University of Victoria rookie of the year, athlete of the year, CIAU athlete of the year and CIAU All-Canadian for her third consecutive season. She was also honoured as the recipient of the 1985 Government Award. Later that year, in 1985, Shackleton set a current Canadian junior record for a 3 000 meter race at a time of 9:12.84.
Season Summary Canada West Championship Results | Place | Team | Points |
| 1. | Victoria | 22 |
| 2. | Manitoba (Great Plains) | 44 |
| 3. | Alberta | 91 |
| 4. | British Columbia | 97 |
| 5. | Calgary | 113 |
| 6. | Lethbridge | 173 |
| 7. | Saskatchewan | 177 |
Vikes Individual Canada West Results| Place | Athlete | Time |
| 1. | Brenda Shackleton | 17:13 |
| 3. | Karen Rainey | 17:38 |
| 4. | Mary Ross | 17:40 |
| 6. | Cathy Dargie | 17:46 |
| 8. | Liz Jones | 18:15 |
Vikes Individual CIAU Results | Place | Athlete | Time |
| 1. | Brenda Shackleton | 17:47.4 |
| 4. | Mary Ross | 18:04.5 |
| 7. | Karen Rainey | 18:21.3 |
| 11. | Cathy Dargie | 18:37.7 |
| 14. | Liz Jones | 18:50.2 |
| 16. | Kelly Richardson | 19:07 |
