FREDERICTON - John Loney is the Canadian Colleges Athletics Association’s first ever Cross Country Running Coach of the Year. Loney coaches the men and women’s teams at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario.

Loney’s cross country running teams were a force to be reckoned with in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association. “They won nearly everything,” said June Lumsden, vice-president for finance and administration for the CCAA. “It was their year.”

The Fanshawe College Falcons took part in five OCAA events, where Loney’s runners took home a total of 13 individual medals and were named men’s team champions, women’s team champions and overall team champions at the OCAA Championships.

Loney’s goal is to see each athlete reach their full potential and create their own memorable moments in sport. He takes a personal interest in each of his athletes, offering tutoring, advice and inspirational speeches. He coaches not only with Fanshawe College but also at East Elgin Secondary School.

The other nominees were Martine Gervais of Cégep de Sainte-Foy, Gerhard Lotz of Augustana Faculty University of Alberta, Jack Miller of Thompson Rivers University and John Peters of Mount Allison University.

Loney’s award was announced Saturday, November 13 during the opening ceremonies banquet at the CCAA Cross Country National Championships in Fredericton. Coach of the Year recipients receive a CCAA customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring supplier of the CCAA Championship Awards Banquet.

Source: CCAA Communications