On Thursday, October 29, 65 high schools from across central-western Ontario sent their cross-country runners to Ariss Valley Golf and Country Club to participate in CWOSSA. It was a massive event, with 1,269 registrants.
Seven members of the Georgian Bay Coyotes running club took part in the races. The largest contingent of Coyotes competed in the Novice boys race, where some exciting rivalry played out among these young men. All of them placed in the top 30—an exceptional achievement at such a large event. James Yaromich took 27th, Mateo Marlin was 26th, and Ian Matthews was 24th. They trained hard together and pushed each other throughout the race.
The fourth Coyote in this race, Richard Saunders, running for St. Mary’s High School, showed incredible determination and grit as he fought hard over the 4km course to stay in the lead group. He held the lead briefly, enjoying a strong position off the start line and making his bridge crossing without too much interference. He held strong throughout and finished in fourth place out of 159 runners, earning an elusive ticket to OFSAA on Monday, November 9.
Novice girl Addison Cox and junior boy Avery Brown both ran strong races and enjoyed the experience of competing in such a high-calibre event. Senior boy Bryson Cleland exclaimed, “I love running!” after completing his 6km run and finishing in the top half of his massive 287-boy race.
The GBCS cross-country team trained with the Coyotes this fall, and their two months of hard work was also evident as six of these otherwise unattached racers placed in the top 50 in their respective races.
“Coaches are incredibly proud of our Coyotes and all of our local athletes who went out and represented Grey and Bruce counties so well against city schools like Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, and Orangeville, among others. Congratulations to everyone, and best of luck to Richard Saunders in Sudbury!” said Coyotes coaches.
To find out more about the team, please visit their website at: www.georgianbaycoyotes.com.
