SHERBROOKE, Que., (November 13, 2010) – Matt Hulse of Harington, Ont., and Leah Larocque of Ottawa posted career-best finishes as the Queen's Gaels cross country season concluded on Saturday at the CIS Championship hosted by the University of Sherbrooke.

Hulse was the top Gael on the men's side helping the team to a fifth place finish, while the women's team posted a ninth place finish with Lacocque securing the team's best result. Guelph continued their dominance winning both the men's and women's team titles.

Hulse finished the men's 10km race in 13th place crossing the line in 33 minutes and 15 seconds. Guelph's Kyle Boorsma was first in 31:53, while teammate Alex Gernest Lac-aux-Sables, Que., was second at 32:07. Regina's Kelly Wiebe of Swift Current, Sask., rounded out the podium with a time of 32.15.

Clay Patterson of Elgin, Ont., was the only other Gael to break into the top-25 finishing with a time of 33:38 in 25th position.

Hulse's previous best finish at the CIS Championship was 17th which happened last year on his home course at Fort Henry Hill in Kingston, Ont.

The OUA dominated the men's event with Guelph earning top position with 24 points while Windsor was second with 57 points and Western was third at 147. Victoria claimed fourth place with 149 points while Queen's was fifth with 168 points.

In the women's 5km race, Larocque crossed the line in 19 minutes and four seconds to finish 16th. McMaster's Jessica Pearo of Richmond Hill, Ont., was the top runner besting the field by a full 10 seconds with a time of 17.40. Guelph's Rachel Cliff of Vancouver was second at 17:50 and teammate Genevieve Lalonde of Moncton, N.B., was third at 18:14.

Gael's Grace Keenleyside of Brockville, Ont., broke into the top-30 with a 28th place result.

Guelph took the gold with 33 points while McMaster finished second with 67 points. Calgary rounded out the podium with 117 points while the Gaels were ninth at 228.