INUVIK - Being part of the first running club from Inuvik to participate in a territorial cross-country race, Sydney Dunlop had every reason to be uncertain about how she and her teammates might fare.

But the 15-year-old and her five teammates at Samuel Hearne Secondary School proved more than worthy opponents at the meet in Edzo on Oct. 2

The first cross-country team from Inuvik to participate in a territorial cross-country race showed they were more than up to the challenge in Edzo on Oct. 2. From left, Cristy Latham (coach), Matthew Skinner, Cullen McLeod, David Deslauriers, Logan Ruben, Sydney Dunlop, Brian Drake (coach) and Allison MacDonald.Lance Gray is missing from the photo. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

In fact her teammate and cousin 17-year-old Lance Gray blew away the competition in the 6 km junior boys race, while David Deslauriers struck bronze in the 3 km midget category.

"I'm proud of the race I ran - I never ran 5 km in my life - and being part of the first team to actually compete in the territorials," said Dunlop.

Though the Grade 10 student didn't make the podium, she's happy to have finished the challenging course marked by plenty of rocks and puddles. She almost twisted her ankle early on.

To share the experience with Lance, who convinced her to join the club, was a bonus.

Like Dunlop, Gray said he was happy for his teammates and friends. Finishing his 6 km race well ahead of the competition, he was able to watch his teammates cross the finish line.

"To see everyone finish hard and keep going right till the end, that was really great," he said.

The slight 17-year-old used the rocky terrain to his advantage by often hopping from one stone to another, using them as launching pads. He even had time to share some short conversations as he passed some of the participants.

The teenage speedster made such an impression on his coaches Brian Drake and Cristy Latham, who also teach at the school, that they convinced First Air and Canadian North airlines to sponsor Lance to compete in the British Columbia Cross Country Championships on Oct. 31.

Marked as one of the premiere races for amateur runners in Western Canada, the 7 km race in Vancouver will see Gray compete against 30 others in the juvenile and junior men division. University running scouts will also be on hand.

Grateful for the support, Lance said he's looking forward to the experience.

"I'll do my best and whatever happens, I'll be fine with it," he said.

Gray suited up for the NWT soccer team at the Canada Summer Games held last August. He's also been picked as one of the torch bearers during the Olympic Torch Relay here on Nov. 4.

Coach Drake said he's hoping Gray will catch the eye of one or two scouts.

"We're trying to get Lance noticed at the next level," said Drake. "He has a lot of natural ability, natural talent. He's got the drive and determination and the maturity to compete at that level.

"If he runs what he can run at the pace that he ran in Edzo, Lance should get a top 10 finish, but I don't want to put any pressure on the kid."

Drake said he's thrilled with the team's performance in Edzo, in which there were a few "pleasant surprises," he said.

"We knew we had strong runners, we just didn't know how they would fare against runners from Yellowknife and elsewhere in the territory."

In his three years teaching at the school, Drake's said he's never been more proud, reflecting on how the team conducted itself on and off the field.

As for Gray, he said he hopes to make Inuvik proud as he prepares for the upcoming race.