ANCASTER, Ont. - The province's best collegiate runners will compete in Ancaster, Ont., on Saturday at the 2013 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Cross Country Championships.

Redeemer University College hosts this year's championships at the beautiful Dundas Valley Conservation Area.

The Fanshawe Falcons are looking to make history as they target an unprecedented fifth consecutive OCAA men's team title. St. Lawrence College (Kingston) from 1978-1981 and Fanshawe College from 2009-2012 share the distinction of being the only schools to four-peat.

Fanshawe's Clint Smith (Petrolia) is working on a streak of his own, having won three consecutive individual OCAA medals, including gold last year. The defending OCAA champion has been in peak form, winning all three OCAA lead-up races he's been a part of.

Another runner aiming for his fourth straight individual medal is Sean Sweeney (Toronto) of George Brown College. Sweeney was the men's individual champion in 2011. Sweeney has placed in the top five in three races this season, including second in a 8 km time of 28:47 at the Dundas Valley course last month.

Riley Hubbard-Olesky (Oshawa) of Fleming College will also be likely in contention for an individual medal based on his 2013 results. Hubbard-Olesky won on the Dundas Valley course in a time of 28:17. In five races leading into provincials Hubbard-Olesky won twice, was runner-up on two occasions and was third in another.

Humber College is the two-time defending women's team champions, having won four of the past seven provincial titles. The Hawks are led by Cara Coults (Etobicoke), winner of the recent Seneca College Invitational on Oct. 11. She finished in the top three in two other races.

Courtney Brohart (Sarnia) is continuing the tradition of strong female runners from St. Lawrence-Kingston. She won three tune-up races this season, including the Redeemer Invitational at the Dundas Valley course in a 5 km time of 21:56.

Reigning OCAA silver medalist Stephanie Braithwaite (Peterborough) of Seneca and bronze medalist Darian Limb (Etobicoke) of Humber are aiming to add to their medal collection.

Runners will represent 20 Ontario college campuses, including Algonquin, Cambrian, Centennial, Conestoga, Confederation, Fanshawe, Fleming, George Brown, Georgian, Humber, Lambton, Loyalist, Mohawk, Redeemer, St. Clair, St. Lawrence (Brockville, Cornwall, Kingston), Sault and Seneca.

The women's 5 km race begins at 11 a.m., while the men will race the 8 km course at 12 p.m. 

The Dundas Valley is one of southern Ontario's most spectacular natural treasures. Highlights of the 1,200-hectare conservation area include lush Carolinian forests, colourful meadows, cold-water streams, stunning geological formations and an array of rare plants, birds and wildlife.

Championship Website: www.redeemerroyals.ca/sports/2013/7/16/CROSS_0716131239.aspx?id=50

Championship Schedule

Saturday, October 27
Women's 5 km Race - 11 a.m.
Men's 8 km Race - 12 p.m.

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 29 members sponsoring 11 sports.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com