Episode 160: Muchachos & Mustachios (2018 Edition)

Welcome one, welcome all.

There comes a point in every semi-viral pseudo-celebrity’s life when the thought of retiring in order to retain dignity must be considered. Luckily for you dear reader, the concept of dignity, much like the concepts of self-preservation and post-run core, are all very much beyond my emotional capabilities and/or desires. And after having dumped all of my (variously eroded) earthly possessions into the sea, trading the mountains for the flatlands, what excuse have I to not further debase myself and the men of the CIS USports?

Very little indeed. Because as they say, time is a circle, and I’m back on that 2010 vintage funemployment Amish country parents’ basement lifestyle that begat this here moderately-read mockery of sports journalism. Like Avril Lavigne’s timely album release, this may be construed simultaneously as a curse and a #blessing.

Now, as much as I am certain you people don’t care about my personal life (lawd knows I hardly do), I think we’ll be getting down my blustering about what went down atop ol’ Fort Henry (a few poorly secured port-a-potties, but possibly some other shit). So, get in, get ready, and hold on to your hats.

Spectator of the Year

Some might say that this day was not a great one for split seams, but I think that’s a matter of perspective, if you catch my drift. On this note, I’ll betray a little secret: our Spectator of the Year winner was in fact wearing split seams for modesty (a world first?) under his tough man skirt kilt. I don’t think that’s allowed, but who’d be bold enough to give Jeff Mountjoy the L on his home course, showing so much skin in such weathers? Not me.

Apparently no one snapped any pics of this, so I'll do some recycling.

4-time winner, pictured in 2013

Bowling for Soup Award  

I’m gonna do something a bit unprecedented for this award – because well, it’s my dumb blog and I set the precedent. Usually this thing’s about some dudes who tried to grow a mustache with iffy results, wherein I call them out. I saw something far more egregious this year – the entire UofT team (less one guy) donning shorts over tights. Science says that male birth control is still in the works, but I say it’s already been invented.

Boys with bad facial hair can rest easy for at least another year.

It's cross-country, not crossfit (photos: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

Now, I'm sure some nerd will point out that this was probably done in order to comply with league uniform regulations. That may be so, but a certain team on the podium seemed to get away with most of its team in black shorts... and then a little bit of red. But I say that we overlook this small matter in the interest of avoiding the fate of the poor men of UofT.

Rookie of the Year 

Finally, I was able to locate more than 1 rookie with a mustache in less than 10’ of creeping. Statistics might inform the assumption that this is a coincidence, but I like to keep my delusions grandiose, and take this as irrefutable evidence of my cultural influence. I mean, like, enough of the nonsense I commit to digital ink comes into fruition so why not? 

Predictive narration aside, this year's Rookie of the Year is Félix Lapointe-Pilote.

(photo: P. Morin for Cross-Country et Athlétisme)

Most Improved

Were these dudes alive and relevant last year? Who knows, and I guess not, which are the essential criteria for this award.

In the honourable mentions position, we have Mostafa Elkurdy of Guelph. Idk if he had a mustache last year because I pay little attention to alternates. But this year he moved on up to main line, and it was enough to turn my head.

Decent-ier (photos: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

The winner of the Most Improved award is Sergio Ráez Villanueva of McMaster. Lulzy toque, but otherwise excellent execution.

hurtin' for photos this year (photos: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

Beardo Award

Not a lot to go on in this category, it seems. Nevertheless, I award Keven Bédard of Laval the Beardo Award. Because sometimes winning is simply showing up. Honourable mentions to Caleb de Jong of Trinity Western.

2fast4photo? (photos: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

Eee (photos: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

Flowtastic Award 
 

While I’ll admit I was a little disappointed that no one went #longhairdontcare after nature so kindly provided the bounty of a wind machine, I was at least consoled by the mun yield (my second favourite hairstyle option, if anyone’s looking to impress).

Speaking of impressin’ me much, a good tip for getting your name in this thing (prospective employers googling your name will be amused, I’m sure) is to ply me with compliments, liquor, transportation services, and housing. Ben Weir of UVic, the runner-up in this category spoke to me once, and told me that he found my work to be at least somewhat amusing on at least one occasion. I didn’t really talk to a lot of other real humans in the year 2018, so this feedback was particularly impactful. 

Mun not visible, but it was pretty ok. (photo: Ian MacAlpine)

In the winning position, we have a repeat: Ryan Greico of Calgary. Tee-bee-ehsshh I don’t even think I’d be capable of constructing a better bun myself, let alone one that was structurally stable enough for 10km of bouncing.  

What's the secret? Bobby pins? Hairspray? Pls advise (photo: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

Community Service Award

Simply put, this award is about personal courage (fact: this song played on the radio as I crossed Tragically Hip Way). It takes some guts to make yourself look silly while doing a thing that arguably, already looks pretty silly to most outside of yours truly. There were two solid examples in the field that emulated the values of this award.

In the runner-up position we have Jean-Simon "Queen" Desgagné of Laval. I think he was trying to do some sort of red ombré stripe thing, but it turned out pink (pro-tip: bleach first, red is not a colourfast dye... er not that I would know anything about dyeing my hair odd colours). He could have tried to fix it, but he just rolled with it and I respect that. 

Yass queen? (photo: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

Now, if you know one thing about me, it's that I love mullets. Wish I had one, actually. Maybe I'll get one in the process of achieving my other dream (appearing as an extra on the Trailer Park Boys). Until then, Tyler Kiyonaga of Calgary will live my mullet dream, and win the Community Service Award for his contributions to the people.

Giving back to the community, the right way. (photo: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

Team Title

Did you know that in the last three editions (2017, 2015, 2014) the winner of the M&M Team Title has gone on to win the real deal in the following year in a fairly unprecedented fashion? I don't know about you, but I'm fairly certain that makes me some kind of prophet. You best pray that I wield the power of my pen upon my prey responsibly this time around.

One might guess that based on the individual awards thus far, plus the good ol' fashioned west coast (?) bias I've allegedly developed, that Calgary is probably in the running. This would be correct. Muns, mullets, mustaches, plus some quality running (don't worry, I've not forgotten what my handle means). Unfortunately, it was not quite enough for the W with me - 4/7 is not a fraction I can work with. Find yourself a fifth, and we can talk. Third place for Calgary.

It's too bad, it's too bad (photo: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

Led by some solid results up front my Connor 'Black Velvet,' Most Improved Elkurdy and rounded out by some other variously furry chaps, Guelph sneaks in for the silver. As on the course, as on the blog.

Like boots or hearts, oh when they start (photo: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

It's been a while since this team last impressed me, but the les boys are back! One part hair dye gimmickry, some long locks, some beards, some 'staches and one very on point banquet ensemble. Laval FTW, and should my power hold, the 2019 title.

 

Fresh (photo: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

Individual Title

After finding out last year that I have a substantial fanbase in Winnipeg, I have been greatly incentivized to consider their mustache offerings more seriously. I don't know much about Connor Boyd of Manitoba, but he did have a pretty ok mustache, and that gets him third.

Takin' care of business (photo: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

Up in the 2 and 3 spots, we have two good ol' 'berta boys. Since commencing M&M, I've been peculiarly wedded to the melodies and facial hair of the province's greatest export (Chad Kroeger). Love it or hate it, I can't get over it.

my most profane Alberta fantasy (photo: @MackLamoureux)

Anywho, in the runner-up position we have Stefan Daniel of Calgary for his frosty 'stache.

what an adorbs expression (photo: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

In the winning position, we have teammate Russell Pennock of Calgary, moving up from last year's Most Improved. I warned last year that he should lose the hat if he wanted to be in line for the big prize, but there was simply no competing with this offering.

still hate hats, tho (photo: Ian MacAlpine for USports Canada)

Once again, we’ve come to the end for another year. As always, wider media interest and/or Nobel Prize in Male Reproductive Health notifications may be forwarded to whichever contact info you’re competent enough to dredge up. In the mean time, I’ll be fading into the night to devote my time to uncovering what exactly a “carabin” is, with results to be released on a need-to-know basis.

XoXo,

SG