WINDSOR, Ont. - The province's top collegiate runners will compete on Saturday at the 2019 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Cross Country Championships. St. Clair College hosts the event at Malden Park.
In the women's six kilometre race, all eyes will be on Sophie Glanz (Windsor, Ont.) of Toronto Mississauga and Jessica Martin (Port Elgin, Ont.) of Fanshawe. The pair took turns winning the five invitational races on the OCAA circuit over the past six weeks, with Glanz holding a 3-2 edge. At the season opening race at Malden Park on Sept. 14, Glanz won in a time of 23:47.9, besting Martin's second place time of 24:14.4.
Another runner in medal contention is Vanessa Brown (Kitchener, Ont.) of Laurier Brantford. Brown has placed in the Top 3 in the three races she competed in, including a second-place finish at the Fanshawe Conservation Area in London, Ont., on Oct. 5.
In the men's eight kilometre race, St. Clair's Carter Free (Napanee, Ont.) is looking to home course advantage, already winning the race on Sept. 14 in a time of 25:42.2. Free won two lead-in races, while rival Matthew Lozano (Ajax, Ont.) of Centennial won the other three. St. Lawrence's Andrew Brown (Carrying Place, Ont.) has won a silver and bronze medal at the last two provincials, and would love gold to complete the set.
In the team competition, St. Clair is the defending men's provincial and national champion, while Fanshawe currently holds both titles for the women. Fanshawe's male counterparts are currently ranked No. 1 in Canada, with St. Clair a close second. UTM and Laurier Brantford are ranked ahead of No. 6 Fanshawe in the women's rankings at No. 4 and 5, respectively.
Runners will represent 19 Ontario post-secondary campuses, including Cambrian, Centennial, Conestoga, Confederation, Fanshawe, Fleming, George Brown, Georgian, Humber, Laurier Brantford, Loyalist, Mohawk, Redeemer, host St. Clair, St. Lawrence, Sault, Seneca, Sheridan and Toronto Mississauga.
The women's race begins at 11 a.m., while the men will race at 12 p.m.
The top OCAA individuals and teams advance to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Cross Country National Championships in Grande Prairie, Alta., on Nov. 9.
Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/xc
- 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 27 members sponsoring 12 varsity sports.
For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com