2023 ACAC Cross-Country Rookies of the Year
Edmonton, AB (November 2, 2023) –
Female Rookie of the Year | SONJAA SCHMIDT | SAIT Trojans:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Sonjaa Schmidt of the SAIT Trojans has been selected as the 2023 ACAC Women’s Cross-Country Rookie of the Year.
In Sonjaa's rookie season, she made an impressive mark by securing 5th place in her very first Grand Prix and claiming a well-deserved fourth place at the ACAC Championships. Her outstanding performance also played a vital role in her team's achievement of the ACAC Women's Team banner for 2023.
"Sonjaa's commitment to both sports and academics is abundantly clear. Balancing high-level cross-country skiing, pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, and wholeheartedly committing to the Trojans running team is no small feat, and we deeply appreciate Sonjaa's unwavering dedication to it all. Sonjaa is a resilient and determined runner who never stops pushing until she's certain she's crossed the finish line. We consider ourselves fortunate to have her as part of our program and extend our heartfelt congratulations to her on such a successful rookie season!" – Lauren Kucera, Manager, Athletics & Recreation.
Sonjaa's potential as a runner was first recognized when a request was made to verify her entry for the Canadian College & University Nordic Championships. She continues to compete in Cross Country during the winter season. Sonjaa is a second-year Electrical Engineering Technology student.
This prestigious accolade was formally acknowledged at the 2023 ACAC Running Room Cross-Country Championship, hosted by the Lethbridge College Kodiaks in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Male Rookie 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 Rookie of the Year.
In his debut season, Nathan wasted no time making a lasting impression. He consistently graced the podium in 3 out of 4 Grand Prix events, showcasing his potential. However, it was when the stakes were highest that Nathan truly excelled, claiming the coveted ACAC Championship title with an impressive time of 25.53. As a recent high school graduate and a newcomer to the Trojans, Nathan initially flew under the radar, but his talent quickly shone through at the ACAC level.
Following in the footsteps of numerous accomplished Trojans runners, Nathan also competes for the UCAC outside of Trojans' events. Over the past summer, he secured a remarkable 3rd place finish at the U20 Canadian Championships in the 3000-meter event.
Nathan's standout performance at the ACAC Championships played a pivotal role in his team's successful defense of the ACAC Men's Team Championship Banner for the second consecutive year. Additionally, Nathan is now officially recognized as the ACAC Rookie of the Year for 2023.
"The Trojans have a rich tradition of exceptional male runners, and we're thrilled to have Nathan as part of our program. Coach Ryan Edgar has an eye for young talent, and Nathan is a testament to that. We eagerly anticipate watching Nathan compete against the nation's best and supporting his growth as a student-athlete. Congratulations, Nathan!" – Lauren Kucera, Manager, Athletics & Recreation.
Nathan, a native of Calgary, is currently in his first year of the Software Development program at SAIT and in his inaugural 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.
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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