MARYDALE PARK HOSTS OCAA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

MOUNT HOPE, Ont. - The province's top collegiate runners will compete on Saturday at the 2025 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Cross Country Championships. Mohawk College plays host to the event at Marydale Park in Mount Hope, Ont.

OCAA runners competed in an abbreviated 2025 season with the same two individuals crossing the finish lines in their respective races. Third-year student-athlete Taylor Kampen (Richmond Hill) of Seneca Polytechnic won both women's races in times under 23 minutes. Last year's OCAA silver medalist aims for a hat trick with a win on Saturday.

Fifth-year veteran Catherine Irwin (Kingston) of Humber Polytechnic finished second to Kampen in both lead-in races. Irwin is a former OCAA champion and two-time medalist. Last year's provincial champion Mette Siemens (Saskatoon, Sask.) of Sheridan College, Grace Boyce (Markdale) of Fanshawe College, Dianne Deboer (Guelph) of Conestoga College and Ana Fodor (Windsor) of St. Clair College are just some of the other contenders vying for podium spots.

St. Clair first-year runner Brendan Currie (LaSalle) posted a pair of sub-26 minute runs to win both men's races leading into provincials. Gavin Mathieson (Cayuga) of Mohawk College, Sheridan's Kinnon Ringler (Toronto), Fanshawe Alex Leinweber (London) and Conestoga's Nathan Paul (Kitchener) all took turns sharing time on the podium with Currie, and look to do the same at provincials.

Although two individual races are featured, cross country running is still a team sport with the Fanshawe men and Mohawk women defending OCAA team champions. The placement of the top four runners from each school go towards team standings.

Runners will represent 12 Ontario post-secondary campuses, including Cambrian College, Conestoga, Confederation College, Fanshawe, Humber, Lambton College, Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford, Loyalist College, Mohawk, St. Clair, Seneca and Sheridan.

The women's six kilometre race begins at 11 a.m., while the men will race eight kilometres at 12 p.m. The course winds through the scenic Binbrook Conservation Area within the Niagara Peninsula.

The top OCAA individuals and teams advance to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Cross Country National Championships in Brookvale, P.E.I., on Nov. 8.

Live Webcast: www.ocaa.com/live

Championship Results: results.raceroster.com

- OCAA -

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For nearly 60 years, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association has been a dedicated leader in amateur athletics through the provision of quality varsity and recreational athletic opportunities at the collegiate level.

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