2023 ACAC Cross-Country Running Room Runners of the Year
Edmonton, AB (November 2, 2023) –
Female Running Room Runner of the Year | MAKENNA FITZGERALD | SAIT Trojans:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Makenna Fitzgerald of the SAIT Trojans has been selected as the 2023 ACAC Women’s Cross-Country Runner of the Year.
After winning the last grand prix event of the season, Makenna once again turned heads quickly at the ACAC Championships, clinching the women's individual title for the third consecutive year and breaking the 22-minute mark for the 6km run with a remarkable time of 21.43. Makenna holds the distinction of being the first woman in ACAC history to achieve this feat since the introduction of the 6km distance in 2017.
Makenna's exceptional performance undoubtedly played a significant role in the SAIT Trojans women's team securing the ACAC Women's Cross-Country Championship banner as well.
"Makenna is a quiet yet confident leader, both on and off the course. She exhibits unwavering dedication in all her endeavors, whether as an elite-level runner or a student with a perfect 4.00 GPA. We are profoundly grateful to Makenna for her exemplary representation of the Trojans over the last three years, and we will miss her dearly. She leaves behind a lasting legacy for the Trojans and will serve as an enduring source of inspiration for our female runners for years to come. We extend our best wishes to Makenna in all her future endeavors and will cheer her on every step of the way!" - Lauren Kucera, Manager, Athletics & Recreation
Makenna hails from Kamloops, BC, and is in her final semester of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. She recently participated in the Royal Victoria Half-Marathon, posting an impressive time of 1:17:30, claiming top honors in her gender (in a field of 1722) and her division (in a field of 162). Following the CCAA championships, Makenna is set to represent both herself and the Trojans at the Canadian Cross Country Championships in Ottawa, ON, with her sights firmly fixed on competing at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in 2024.
This prestigious accolade was formally acknowledged at the 2023 ACAC Running Room Cross-Country Championship, hosted by the Lethbridge College Kodiaks in Lethbridge, Alberta. The Runner of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Running Room.
Male Running Room Runner of the Year | NATHAN WOYESSA | SAIT Trojans:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Nathan Woyessa of the SAIT Trojans has been selected as the 2023 ACAC Men's Cross-Country Runner of the Year.
In his first year, Nathan managed to make a significant impact, consistently landing on the podium in 3 of 4 Grand Prix events. However, when it really counted, he shifted into high gear and secured the ACAC Championship title in an impressive time of 25.53. As a recent high school graduate and a newcomer to the Trojans, Nathan was relatively unknown, but he quickly showcased his prowess at the ACAC level. Following in the footsteps of many successful Trojans runners, Nathan also represents the UCAC outside of Trojans competitions, and this past summer, he claimed the 3rd place spot at the U20 Canadian Championships in the 3000-meter event.
Nathan's exceptional performance at the ACAC Championships significantly contributed to his team's successful bid for the ACAC Men's Team Championship Banner for the second year in a row. Additionally, Nathan is being recognized as the ACAC Rookie of the Year for 2023.
"To be named Rookie of the Year and Runner of the Year simultaneously is a testament to Nathan's exceptional abilities. He is a talented runner who is just beginning his journey. We are incredibly proud to have Nathan as a part of the Trojans and eagerly anticipate what he will achieve in the future!" - Lauren Kucera, Manager, Athletics & Recreation.
Nathan, a native of Calgary, is in his first year of studying Software Development at SAIT and his first year of ACAC competition.
This prestigious accolade was formally acknowledged at the 2023 ACAC Running Room Cross-Country Championship, hosted by the Lethbridge College Kodiaks in Lethbridge, Alberta. The Runner of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Running Room.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Blacquiere, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca