2024 ACAC Runners of The Year
Edmonton, AB (October 30, 2024) –
Female Runner of the Year | CADENCE LAPLANTE | St. Mary's Lightning:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Cadence Laplante of the St. Mary's Lightning has been selected as the 2024 ACAC Female Runner of the Year.
Cadence Laplante made school history in dramatic fashion at the Running Room 2024 ACAC Cross Country Championships on October 26. Cadence won Lightning's first ever gold medal on her home course at St Mary's. Running a strategic and focused race in 24 minutes and 32 seconds (6kms), a 1:23 improvement from Grand Prix #4 a month earlier. Cadence had been building momentum this season, finishing fifth, then fourth, then first in the races leading up the championship. She admitted to feeling nervous all week, and made what felt like a celebrity appearance at the Lightning's basketball home opener the night before. But she executed a flawless race, pulling well into the lead in the last 300 metres, and crossing the finish line with outstretched arms celebrating her victory and earning the title Running Room Runner Of The Year. The 3rd year biology student has St Mary's small campus buzzing for the CCAA National Championships November 8-9 in Windsor, Ontario, hosted by St Clair College.
“Cadence is a hard working and talented athlete. She executed her race strategy perfectly at the XC Championships on Saturday to take the win in a competitive field. I'm looking forward to another great race at the CCAA Championships on November 9.” Coach Donna Dixon
Cadence is a third year Biology student from Okotoks, Alberta. She was an ACAC bronze medalist in Cross Country in 2023. She also won gold in the 600M and 1000M at the 2023 ACAC Indoor Track Championships.
This prestigious award was recognized at the 2024 ACAC Running Room Cross-Country Championship hosted by St Mary’s University in Calgary Alberta.
The Runner of the Year award is proudly sponsored by the Running Room. Thank you for your continued support Running Room!
Male 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 2024 ACAC Male Runner of the Year.
Nathan Woyessa has once again proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of collegiate athletics, showcasing his talent and determination during the 2023-24 season. The standout runner for the SAIT Trojans earned the prestigious title of ACAC Rookie of the Year for both Cross Country Running and Indoor Track, and his recent performances have solidified his status as a key competitor in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).
This past weekend, Woyessa continued his impressive streak by clinching his second consecutive first-place finish at the ACAC Championship. With a remarkable time of 25:50, he improved upon his performance from the previous year by three seconds, demonstrating not only his consistency but also his unwavering commitment to excellence. This achievement speaks volumes about his training regimen and mental fortitude, setting him apart in a competitive field.
Woyessa's journey this season has been marked by notable improvements. He kicked off the season with a time of 27:29 at Grand Prix #1, then progressively lowered his times with a 26:51 at Grand Prix #4, and a stellar 26:10 at Grand Prix #5. His season culminated in a standout performance at the Championships, held on the same course as Grand Prix #4, where he showcased his ability to rise to the occasion.
As the CCAA Nationals in Windsor, Ontario, approach, Woyessa is laser-focused on improving his 17th-place finish from last year. His goal is clear: to leave a lasting impression on the national stage. Balancing his athletic commitments with his studies in the Software Development program at SAIT, Woyessa shows the dedication of a true student-athlete.
“Nathan has once again shown a commitment to performing and pushing that podium mindset. A key member of a very strong team, Nathan leads the way with a focused approach that helps propel the Trojans forward. We are very proud of Nathan and his fellow Trojans, and are very excited to see him perform at Nationals.” – Athletic Director, Wade Kolmel
With a strong foundation built over the past two seasons with the Trojans, Woyessa is poised for greatness as he prepares for the national competition. His remarkable trajectory suggests that he is not only ready to challenge himself but also prepared to represent SAIT with a strong shot at a National Championship.
This prestigious award was recognized at the 2024 ACAC Running Room Cross-Country Championship hosted by St Mary’s University in Calgary Alberta.
The Runner of the Year award is proudly sponsored by the Running Room. Thank you for your continued support 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 Beers, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca