September 29, 2009 - With two cross country meets in the book now, veteran John Mason of the Fanshawe Falcons has already left his mark on the OCAA running ranks, capturing the first two meets of the year.
This past week, Mason a fifth year senior, ran his way to a 26:18 clocking at the Fanshawe Invitational besting a decorated top ten that featured some of the OCAA’s past provincial and national medal winners.
Jason Smith of Conestoga churned his way to a comfortable second place finish with his 26.18 clocking. The race for third was a heated battle between Jamie Switzer of Fleming Peterborough and Biemnet Yemane of the hometown Falcons. In the end, it was Switzer edging out Yemane by a narrow two seconds to claim the final podium position.
Other notable top finishers were 2007 national silver medalist Nelson Njeru of George Brown College, who finished fifth, defending OCAA Champion David Sharratt of Conestoga (7th) and Josh Bujold, the defending OCAA silver medalist from Cambrian who ran to an eighth place finish.
Julian Rheberger of the St. Lawrence Vikings was the top rookie of the event finishing a respectable sixth, less than 1 minute behind the leader.
Fanshawe took the overall men’s title, while Humber and Cambrian teams were second and third.
In the women’s event it was all red and white at the top of the leader board, as the Fanshawe Falcons completed the sweep in the ladies race. Becky Pieterson, 2008’s OCAA bronze medalist and national championship 4th place finisher, was the first to cross the finish line, with her 18:04 clocking. Teammate Liliane Sparkes, a third year transfer from the University of Kentucky, claimed the silver medal, while Erika Houde Pearce finished third and was the first rookie runner to cross the finish line.
Other notable top finishers were Stephanie Coughlin of the Humber Hawks who finished 6th, while upstarts Lisa Cybilskie of the Fleming Knights and Glenna Fraumeni of the George Brown Huskies finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Fanshawe’s women also took the women’s overall title, while Humber and George Brown College rounded out the top three team finishers.
The next event for OCAA runners is the Fleming Peterborough Invitational on October 3, 2009.
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September 29, 2009 - With two cross country meets in the book now, veteran John Mason of the Fanshawe Falcons has already left his mark on the OCAA running ranks, capturing the first two meets of the year.
