Rob Asselstine of St. Lawrence captured his first race of the college cross-country season at an invitational meet Saturday in Brockville.

Asselstine, third at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association championships a year ago and fifth at the subsequent national championship, finished Saturday's eight-kilometre race in 26 minutes 20 seconds, just 1.6 seconds ahead of Jules Burnotte of CEGEP de Sherbrooke and another tenth of a second ahead of bronze medalist Seth Maraccio of Fanshawe.

“It was great to have a positive result today, but I know the competition will not only be stronger but also more determined at nationals,” said Asselstine, a graduate of Sydenham High School, who led a field of 101 competitors.
The top St. Lawrence finisher in the women’s race was freshman Heather Jaros, a La Salle Secondary School grad who was 19th in the 79-runner field in 21 minutes 35 seconds. Emily Marcolini of Cambrian won the five-kilometre race in 18:57.

Saturday’s races were held in cold, windy conditions on the course where the CCAA meet will be held in November. The meet attracted runners from colleges and universities in Ontario and Quebec.