Runners bring home 5th CCAA medal
Fanshawe athletics can now add a fifth CCAA medal to their historic collection.
After finishing second in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) men's college team division, the men's cross-country team brought the fifth CCAA medal in college history back to Fanshawe.
“The nationals turned out to be exactly what we wanted,” said head coach John Loney. “It was...what we've been building on for the whole year. Everybody had a great race on the right day.”
After winning the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championship, the Falcons headed to Fleming College on November 12th to take place in the CCAA championship race.
Loney said the team looked very promising at the beginning of the season and knew that this year's version of the team had a legitimate chance at doing something special.
“This is the most satisfying coaching experience that I've ever had,” Loney said.
“We really had no idea how good we either were or how good we could be but then the weeks went on and everyone started to realize we better not screw this one up. There is a good team here, so if you want to do something this seems to be the year to do it.”
Depth and friendly competition were qualities that Loney said helped put the team over the top.
“Of the 10 guys I have, eight of them have been scorers at some point,” Loney said.
”Practices are competitive, races are competitive and that is just within Fanshawe, let alone all the other colleges. I have guys that are fighting just to be one of my top four.”
Winning a CCAA medal will implant the 2005 cross-country team in the record books for Fanshawe College, something that Loney said the team should be very proud of and will remember for years to come. The teams start runner John Mason also said it was a great accomplishment to be etched in Falcons history.
“We were one of the few teams to get medals at the Canadian championships for Fanshawe, that is something I'll look back on when I'm old and grey,” said Mason.
Loney said he wants his team to remember this victory and realize its significance.
“I hope the guys are feeling the same way for the next weeks and months and years that they realize just what they were a part of this year,” said Loney.
“That is what I told them before their race at nationals, an hour from now you could be in a place to make a little history for yourself, and the college.”
The athletic department at Fanshawe is proud of the team.
“Coach Loney and the team have combined commitment and fraternity while deploying a solid strategy for success,” said Manager of Athletic Mike Lindsay.
After finishing second in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) men's college team division, the men's cross-country team brought the fifth CCAA medal in college history back to Fanshawe.
“The nationals turned out to be exactly what we wanted,” said head coach John Loney. “It was...what we've been building on for the whole year. Everybody had a great race on the right day.”
After winning the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championship, the Falcons headed to Fleming College on November 12th to take place in the CCAA championship race.
Loney said the team looked very promising at the beginning of the season and knew that this year's version of the team had a legitimate chance at doing something special.
“This is the most satisfying coaching experience that I've ever had,” Loney said.
“We really had no idea how good we either were or how good we could be but then the weeks went on and everyone started to realize we better not screw this one up. There is a good team here, so if you want to do something this seems to be the year to do it.”
Depth and friendly competition were qualities that Loney said helped put the team over the top.
“Of the 10 guys I have, eight of them have been scorers at some point,” Loney said.
”Practices are competitive, races are competitive and that is just within Fanshawe, let alone all the other colleges. I have guys that are fighting just to be one of my top four.”
Winning a CCAA medal will implant the 2005 cross-country team in the record books for Fanshawe College, something that Loney said the team should be very proud of and will remember for years to come. The teams start runner John Mason also said it was a great accomplishment to be etched in Falcons history.
“We were one of the few teams to get medals at the Canadian championships for Fanshawe, that is something I'll look back on when I'm old and grey,” said Mason.
Loney said he wants his team to remember this victory and realize its significance.
“I hope the guys are feeling the same way for the next weeks and months and years that they realize just what they were a part of this year,” said Loney.
“That is what I told them before their race at nationals, an hour from now you could be in a place to make a little history for yourself, and the college.”
The athletic department at Fanshawe is proud of the team.
“Coach Loney and the team have combined commitment and fraternity while deploying a solid strategy for success,” said Manager of Athletic Mike Lindsay.
