KING CITY, Ont. - The province's top collegiate runners will compete on Saturday at the 2016 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Cross Country Championships presented by belairdirect.

Seneca College hosts the event at its King Campus in King City, Ont.

The men's race will be a grudge match of sorts. St. Lawrence-Kingston's Rob Asselstine (Sydenham), Fanshawe's Seth Marcaccio (Byron) and Fleming's Riley Olesky (Oshawa) have all earned individual medals in each of the past two provincials. In the case of Olesky, he has made the podium at the last three championships. Asselstine won last year's race, while Olesky won in 2014. Marcaccio has been in the bridesmaid position the last two years, earning silver each time. Its a strong bet that these runners will be among the leaders once again, with only the order of finish in doubt.

As for the women's race, all of last year's medalists are not competing this time around, clearing the slate for a brand new crop of runners to earn provincial glory. Humber is the defending men's and women's team champions.

Runners will represent 22 Ontario post-secondary campuses, including Cambrian College, Centennial College, Conestoga College, Confederation College, Fanshawe College, Fleming College, George Brown College, Georgian College, Humber College, Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford, Loyalist College, Mohawk College, Niagara College, Redeemer University College, St. Clair College, St. Lawrence College (Brockville, Cornwall, Kingston), Sault College, host Seneca College, Sheridan College and the University of Toronto Mississauga.

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

Seneca College King Campus is situated in the heart of the Oak Ridges Moraine and provides incredible, trails, views and activities.

The top OCAA individuals and teams advance to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Cross Country National Championships in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., on Nov. 12.

Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/championships/xc/2016-17/index

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student-athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 29 members sponsoring 12 varsity 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