This year's TnfNorth polls are brought to you by Race Merchandise (Performance With Every Step)
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Guelph tops both polls again, but hangs on to the women’s lead by the slimest of margins. The men’s side is still jammed from 2nd to 7th spot. The ladies side is looking like a nail-biter for the title.
Men
Guelph takes the top spot, and with four potential first-team all-Canadians, the unanimous voting by the panel is justified. Despite only racing once, Victoria has the pollsters in thrall, actually increasing their lead over third place Windsor. The Lancers themselves moved up with a couple strong performances, but questions surrounding Paul Janikowski’s health might stall them. Laval dropped a bit, after a decent showing at the Western International meet. Queen’s moved up 2 spots. It is still too close to call.
Team points (1st place votes) (last poll’s rank)
Guelph 60 (6) (1)
Victoria 53 (2)
Windsor 48 (4)
Laval 40 (3)
Queens 38 (7)
McMaster 27 (5)
Regina 26 (6)
St. FX 15 (8)
Toronto 13 (10)
Calgary 7 (9)
Others: Western (3)
Women
This time the voting was very tight. Guelph and McMaster both had 3 first place votes, but one voter had the Mauraders 3rd, and the Vikes second, so that gave the Gryphons the nudge they needed for top spot. Victoria has not yet raced a full team, however, so they may come roaring from behind. McGill’s new “platooning” strategy may help them overcome a heavy season of races, but Western has shown they can beat them. The question is, will they be able to keep it together?
Team points (1st place votes) (last poll’s rank)
Guelph 57 (3) (1)
McMaster 56 (3) (3)
Victoria 48 (2)
McGill 38 (5)
Western 33 (4)
Toronto 26 (9)
Saskatchewan 25 (6)
Queens 21 (8)
St. FX 11 (10)
Calgary 9 (7)
Others: Dalhousie (4), Windsor (1), Alberta (1)
Information about voters: Chris Moulton (Guelph, Ontario), Stephen Gersten (Regina, Saskatchewan), Jeremy Walsh (Hamilton, Ontario), Rich Lehman (Halifax, Nova Scotia), John Lofranco (Montreal, Quebec), Jeff Barr (Toronto, Ontario)