TORONTO – The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Cross Country Championships are set to take place this weekend as George Brown College hosts the race at Sunnybrook Park in Toronto. This is George Brown’s first time hosting the Cross Country Championship and the first time since 1978 that the event will be held in Toronto, when Centennial hosted at Morningside Park in Scarborough.

The one-day Championship will feature some of Ontario’s best teams and individual performers. The event will commence with the women’s 5 km race starting at 10:30 am with the men’s 8 km race following at 12:00 pm.

On the men’s side, the individual race will be an exciting one as the defending champion, Colin Murray-Lawson of Humber is not returning to defend his title. Last year’s silver medallist, John Mason of Fanshawe has had an injury riddled season that has sidelined him since his first place performance at the Redeemer Invitational in early September. Mason will be running on Saturday and hopes the extra rest has given him the push needed to return to the medal podium this year.

Thomas McQuade of Georgian College looks to be a medal hopeful after recording a first and second place performance so far this season. McQuade is riding high after a first place performance at the most recent invitational this season that took place on the upcoming championship course in the George Brown Invitational. Other dangerous competitors to watch out for include Mike Scipio of Humber College who posted three top five finishes this season and Martin Labute of St. Clair College who won the St. Clair Invitational and finished third in the Redeemer Invitational.

The Humber Hawks are on track to win their first ever men’s team title. The Hawks have made the biggest statement this season winning all three invitational meets this year. Leading the squad has been Mike Scipio, Bruno Moreiva, Dan Robb and Geoff Wheatley, all with top 10 appearances.

In the women’s competition the departure of defending champion, Amanda Kosmerly of Cambrian opens the race to a slew of runners who will be ready at the starting line to win their first ever OCAA Championship title. Fleming Peterborough’s Hollie Gordon has had a successful year finishing first at two invitationals, including the George Brown meet which was ran on the same course as this weekend’s championship. If Gordon grabs the gold medal she will be the first ever Fleming Knight to win the women’s individual OCAA title.

Finishing right behind Gordon all year has been a cluster of other top runners including 2005 silver medallist Tiia Dolson of Georgian, 2005 fourth place finisher Leah Kellar of Loyalist, Lisa Lee of Humber and Annie Leitch of Humber.

The Humber Hawk women enjoyed a great deal of success this year and head into the Championships as the team to beat in the women’s team competition. Humber has turned in three top three finishes in meets this season and if they win gold it will be the programs first ever Championship team title.

Championship results will be posted immediately after the race here and on the OCAA website www.ocaa.com

For more information on the OCAA Cross Country Championships please contact convenor Joe Cannon at Lambton College (519) 542-7751 or Tournament Host Convenor, Ed Mark at George Brown College (416) 415-5000 X: 2176.

The OCAA governs intercollegiate sports and promotes physical activity in its member institutions through quality athletic and campus recreation programs. It offers 15 varsity sports to 30 member institutions throughout Ontario.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Michelle Waddick
OCAA Marketing & Communications
P: (416) 426-7041
E: waddick@ocaa.com
W: www.ocaa.com