Collison says returning core has program poised for a bright future

By Damon Proctor

The Windsor Lancers cross country teams closed out their 2025 season with strong performances at the U SPORTS Championships on November 8, finishing seventh in the men’s race and ninth in the women’s.

The Lancers travelled more than 10 hours to the University of Sherbrooke after standout results at the OUA Championships in Kingston, where the women placed second and the men fourth.

5th-year Noah Costa navigating the pack - photo taken from @windsorlancerxc & @digitalmedia_windsor Instagram

That momentum carried into nationals.

“We were just excited going into U SPORTS,” said fourth-year veteran Samara Quanz. “We

haven't had a full team go in a long time, especially a team that could do well. We were carrying those positive vibes from OUAs, and it gave us lots of confidence.”

(4th-year Samara Quanz - photo taken from @windsorlancerxc & @digitalmedia_windsor Instagram)

The women’s 8km race featured 174 runners from 33 schools. Quanz led the Lancers with a

14th-place finish in 29:02, followed by Olla (37th, 29:45), Fortier (50th, 30:06), Kniaziew (80th,

30:43), Rocheleau (90th, 30:56), Kasunish (99th, 31:09), and Adam (143rd, 32:09).

Competing in her third U SPORTS meet, Quanz said the team environment made a major

difference. “Most of the U SPORTS I’ve been to, I went as an individual or just with a few

teammates,” she said. “It’s a different mindset having all your friends and teammates there.”

The men’s 8km included 164 athletes from 32 schools. Fifth-year runner Jacob Fitzpatrick once again led Windsor, placing 15th in 25:00. He was followed by Costa (21st, 25:17), Abdullahi (31st, 25:36), Pardalis (75th, 26:16), Wheeler (91st, 26:30), Campbell (125th, 27:13), and Kleinsmith (139th, 27:30).

5th-year Jacob Fitzpatrick - photo taken from @windsorlancerxc & @digitalmedia_windsor Instagram

As a veteran, Fitzpatrick said he tried to guide the first-time nationals runners. “You just naturally have more years of experience and know what to expect at national-level

races,” he said. “I told the people where it was their first U SPORTS not to put so much pressure on themselves.”

He also praised the group’s commitment. “I think this is one of the years where the team culture was the best it’s ever been,” Fitzpatrick said. “Coming off provincials, we thought we were fit enough to succeed, and everyone had that confidence going in.”

2nd-year Natalie Adam - photo taken from @windsorlancerxc & @digitalmedia_windsor Instagram

Both Quanz and Fitzpatrick set personal-best U SPORTS finishes. Fitzpatrick jumped from 27th last year to 15th, while Quanz improved from her previous best of 57th (2023) to 14th — a result that earned her All-Canadian honours.

“It was a great way to cap off the season and a good stepping stone for next year,” said head

coach Jordan Collison. “They put their best foot forward and fought hard until the very end.”

With nearly every U SPORTS competitor returning in 2026, Collison said the program is

building toward something bigger — and potentially toward a national podium.