2023 Cross-Country Chronicles
EDMONTON, AB - The schedule for the 2023 ACAC Cross-Country series has been officially announced. The season will kick off with the first Grand Prix hosted by Concordia Thunder on Saturday, September 9 at Gold Bar Park. Excitement will then shift to the South region, with the SAIT Trojans hosting the second Grand Prix on September 16, followed by Lethbridge hosting the third Grand Prix on September 30. The final Grand Prix before the ACAC championship will take place in Camrose, at the Stoney Creek Centre hosted by the Augustana Vikings, on Saturday, October 14.
The much anticipated climax of the Cross-Country Running Room Grand Prix series will be the 2023 ACAC Cross-Country Championship, set to be hosted by the Lethbridge College Kodiaks on Saturday, October 28. This event will take place at Nicholas Sheran Park in Lethbridge, where ten cross-country teams will compete. The women's race will cover a distance of six kilometers, while the men's race will cover eight kilometers through the scenic park.
Looking back at last year's results, Leonard Chesoo of the Concordia Thunder showcased his dominance by clinching his third consecutive men's individual title with an impressive time of 26:21. Sait Trojans, Moktar Said secured the silver medal with a time of 26:36, followed by Trojans first year, Keiran Marchand in third place with a time of 26:53.
In the women's category, Makenna Fitzgerald of the SAIT Trojans emerged as the champion once again, completing the race in a remarkable time of 22:51. Augustana Vikings, Reese Bendiksen claimed the second-place spot with a time of 23:26, closely followed by Red Deer Queens, Jenica Swartz in third place with a time of 23:49
The team results saw the SAIT Trojans claiming the top spot in the men's category, with Red Deer Kings securing the second-place position and Lethbridge Kodiaks finishing third. In the women's category, the Medicine Hat Rattlers claimed the first-place position with the help of ACAC Rookie of the Year, Rebecca Ross, followed by St. Mary’s Lightning in second place, and Red Deer Queens in third place.
At the CCAA national level, Makenna Fitzgerald secured back-to-back victories, winning the women's individual title with a time of 22:15. Reese Bendiksen finished in third place with a time of 22:40. SAIT's men’s team showcased their strength by securing the 2022 national banner.
Additionally, it is worth noting that Bill Corcoran, with his coaching expertise, earned the prestigious ACAC and CCAA Coach of the Year honors for his outstanding contributions to the sport of cross-country running.
As the 2023 Cross-Country Running Room Grand Prix series approaches, anticipation grows for another season of exhilarating races, remarkable performances, and intense competition. Cross-country enthusiasts, athletes, and fans are eagerly looking forward to witnessing the thrilling action that lies ahead.
ACAC SCHEDULE: Cross-Country Schedule
CCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: Host Details
#ACACxc23 | #CCAAXC2023
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