On Saturday, November 1, more than 1,800 high school students from across Ontario travelled to Heart Lake Conservation Area in Brampton to take part in the OFSAA Cross-Country Championships. Competition at this event was fierce, with close to 300 athletes crowding the start line for each race. Georgian Bay Community School (GBCS) had one student qualify for this prestigious event, Novice boy Nathan Leary.
The race course at Heart Lake featured a mix of terrain and demanded the athletes’ constant attention as they wound their way over grass, gravel, and tree roots. A healthy mix of hills added to the challenge, along with plenty of mud thanks to the heavy rainfall earlier in the week.
The starting gate placed the Bluewater athletes at the far right of the start line, making it difficult to merge into the narrowing pathway. Thankfully, at the sound of the starter’s gun, the thundering pack of boys surged forward safely into the heart of the group. Nathan tucked himself into the back half of the racers, then steadily moved his way up the pack over the 4km course. By the finish line, Nathan crossed in 86th place, earning a spot in the top third of Ontario.
