BY SCOTT
HADDOW
In her first three years with the Laurentian University
cross-country running team, Leila Angrand had one opponent she
just couldn't beat: the injury bug.
Each season, just as Angrand was making excellent progress,
some kind of injury derailed her momentum and drastically
affected her results. Last year, she missed over a month, in
the heart of the season, with a hip injury.
This past season was a much different story as Angrand avoided
injury and enjoyed her finest season.
Her results were so strong, especially with an 18th place
finish at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) recently,
Angrand was placed in the selection pool for the Canadian
National Team. This squad will compete in North American,
Central American and Caribbean cross-country championships in
March.
It meant the world to Angrand to finish her fourth year off
with a bang as it could be her final year competing at the
university level.
"I was really happy with my season," said the fourth-year
sports psychology student. "I was consistent for the first time
in my university career. I made major improvements this year
compared to previous years. I feel stronger than ever before.
In past seasons, I'm usually injured and can't run...this year
I didn't get any big injuries and was able to run my best."
Angrand soaked up every second of the 2006 season.
"This year was more special because it was my last year
running with the Laurentian girls," said the 22-year-old. "I
still have one year of eligibility left. In my time at
Laurentian, I had a great experience with great coaching. I
made good friends and it was worthwhile for me...I wish I had
four more years left."
Angrand is thrilled to be in the Canadian selection pool,
but isn't holding her breath about actually competing for her
country.
"My name is out there now...Team Canada knows who I am and
what I can do," said the College Notre-Dame graduate. "It would
be a step up from what I have been doing. My goal now is to
compete at the international level...I want that experience. I
want to take this as far as I can. I know it's possible for me
to achieve at some point."
Angrand showed plenty of promise this past season.
"Leila's season was a hint of how good she can ultimately
become in the sport," said head coach Dick Moss. "She didn't
run well in 2005 because of injury, and didn't have her normal
confidence through much of this season. Had she started OUA
(championships) and the CIS (championships) with a little more
aggression, I have no doubt she'd have been fighting it out for
a medal in both races. The nationals in Vancouver were a good
stepping-stone to future performances...she can run with the
best in the country. That confidence means everything and
she'll be taking that with her into 2007."
Angrand shows a strong style of competing.
"She has incredible talent with a great aerobic system and a
very efficient running style," said Moss. "She's one of the
smoothest runners in the CIS and just floats over the ground
when she runs. And she loves to race - usually the bigger the
race, the better she performs."
The runner knows she had her best season ever.
"According to the times I did get...This is the best I've
ever run," said the former Alouette. "In cross-country running,
we run different courses all the time. Some are hilly. Some are
muddy and snowy. It's hard to set actual personal best times,
but that's what I really love about the sport...it's about the
challenge of the courses, not times."
Angrand is gearing up for a winter season of competing on
the Laurentian indoor track team. She will be competing in
events such as the 1,500-metre and 3,000-m.
"I've never done it before and it will definitely be
interesting," said Angrand. "My first two years, after
cross-country, I competed for the Laurentian swim team. I
didn't last year because I was injured. I decided to run track
because I enjoy running more than swimming...at one point, you
have to make a decision to commit to one sport."
Angrand's coach expects much success in the future for his
protégé.
"Leila is very young in her sport," said Moss. "Women tend
to reach their peak in their late twenties, so she has a long
ways to go before she starts approaching her potential. She has
the dedication and desire to race as long as she can, which is
a good sign. She may not continue her university career here in
Sudbury (this is her fourth year), but I'll be fascinated to
see just how far she can go. She has a great deal of potential
and I have no doubt that she'll make some national teams in the
future."
