Morneau-Cartier completes golden hat trick, Queen's Gaels claim men's team title at U SPORTS cross country

Laval's Philippe Morneau-Cartier captured his third straight individual national cross-country, while the Queen's Gaels used a dominant team performance to claim the 2025 U SPORTS Men's Cross-Country Championship on Saturday.

 

Morneau-Cartier powering through the 8-kilometre course at the Université de Sherbrooke in 24:14.00 to claim the gold medal three-peat. The Laval standout became the first runner to win three straight men’s individual titles since John Halvorsen of Ottawa, who performed the feat from 1986-88. Morneau-Cartier held off a hard-charging Thomas Laviolette of the Montreal Carabins, who secured the silver medal just five seconds back in 24:19.00.

 

The battle for bronze was equally intense, with Queen's Gael Jude Wheeler-Dee rounding out the podium in 24:24.00.

 

While the individual glory went to Morneau-Cartier, the team competition belonged to the Queen's Gaels. Demonstrating remarkable depth, Queen's placed all five of their scoring runners within the top 24 positions. With Wheeler-Dee's bronze medal performance complemented by Roman Mironov in 8th, Angus Skinner in 11th, Tanner Hueglin in 17th, and Peter Neill in 24th, the Gaels compiled a stunningly low score of 63 points to easily claim the national title.

 

The host Sherbrooke Vert & Or gave their home fans plenty to cheer about, capturing the team silver medal with 84 points. The Guelph Gryphons  completed the podium, earning team bronze with 132 points.

 

Laval, buoyed by Morneau-Cartier's individual victory, finished fourth in the team standings with 134 points, just two points back of the bronze medal position.

 

The race also saw the crowning of the All-Canadians, with the top seven finishers earning First Team honours and those placed 8th through 14th being named to the Second Team.

 

The Fred Foot Award for coach of the year went to Mark Bomba of Queen’s, while Henry Bristol of Victoria was the rookie of the year as he finished the course in 25:40. 

 

The Student-Athlete Community Service Award went to Alexander Webster of Saskatchewan. The Saskatoon product is just the second Huskie to be recognized nationally, and first since Matt Mazurik in 2007. On the trail, Webster is a mainstay at the top of the leaderboard in 2025, having secured second place at the Dakota Classic in Saskatoon, fourth at the Stewart Cup and sixth at the Canada West Championship. A U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian Webster is involved in several initiatives off the trail. Beginning with his miliary service, the fifth-year student is actively perusing training as an engineering officer with the Canadian Armed Forces around disaster relief operations and arctic deployments given the effects of climate change, natural disasters, and increased traffic in the arctic that threatens Canadian sovereignty.

 

Through his service he has participated in community initiatives such as cheer crate packaging, and the Warman Remembrance Day Parade. Through his athletics he has also given back through several community initiatives and volunteer opportunities such as elementary/high school club cross country practices, community runs and events, club coaching for track and field (2021-2023), and track & field clinics at various small communities across Saskatchewan.

At Sherbrooke, Quebec.

 

1. Philippe Morneau-Cartier, Laval — 24:14.00

2. Thomas Laviolette, Montreal — 24:19.00

3. Jude Wheeler-Dee, Queen's — 24:24.00

4. Nolan Turgeon, Sherbrooke — 24:32.00

5. Félix Quirion, Sherbrooke — 24:37.00

6. Jack Lehto, Guelph — 24:37.00

7. Max Davies, Guelph — 24:42.00

 

8. Roman Mironov, Queen's — 24:44.00

9. Jaxon Kuchar, Victoria — 24:45.00

10. Jared Howse, UNB — 24:46.00

11. Angus Skinner, Queen's — 24:47.00

12. Rudy Saal, Laval — 24:50.00

13. Christian Rachner, Guelph — 24:52.00

14. Samuel Patrick, McMaster — 24:54.00

 

1. Queen's Gaels — 63

2. Sherbrooke Vert & Or — 84

3. Guelph Gryphons — 132

4. Laval Rouge et Or — 134

5. McMaster Marauders — 153

6. Victoria Vikes — 209

7. Windsor Lancers — 216

8. UNB Reds — 258

9. Western Mustangs — 259

10. STFX X-Men — 261

11. Regina Cougars — 309

12. UBC Thunderbirds — 327

13. McGill Redbirds — 339

14. Lakehead Thunderwolves — 369

15. Manitoba Bisons — 389

16. Saskatchewan Huskies — 391

17. Montréal Carabins — 415

18. Toronto Varsity Blues — 440

19. Dalhousie Tigers — 464

20. UQTR Patriotes — 503

21. UQAM Citadins — 511

22. UQAC Inuk — 708

23. ETS Piranhas — 715

 

MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Athlete of the Year: Philippe Morneau-Cartier, Laval

Rookie of the Year: Henry Bristol, Victoria

Fred Foot Award (Fox40 Coach of the Year): Mark Bomba, Queen’s

Student-Athlete Community Service: Alexander Webster, Saskatchewan