Ryter Named CCAA Coach of the Year, Talbot Wins National Silver

(London, Ontario) – The Falcons Cross Country teams competed at the CCAA National Championship on Saturday, November 9th. The Championship, hosted by St. Clair College in Windsor Ontario, saw Matt Talbot (Ailsa Craig, ON) finish second in the Men's race to claim individual silver and Head Coach Regan Ryter named CCAA Coach of the Year.

Ryter was honoured as the CCAA National Cross Country Coach of the Year in just her second year as head coach. Ryter and the Falcons soared in 2024 as the Men's team placed first in all five OCAA races this year, including winning the Provincial Championship. The Women's team also graced the podium at four out of five OCAA races including a third-place finish at Provincials. Ryter's dedication to her athletes and program has fostered an environment of mutual respect, commitment, and success, both on and off the course. Both teams' achievements underscore the strength of Ryter's program, which emphasizes teamwork, personal growth, and resilience.

Talbot, who was the top Men's runner in the OCAA and OCAA Cross Country Rookie of the Year award winner, crossed the championship finish line with a time of 24:44.40, which broke a Fanshawe Men's record for the fastest eight-kilometer time at a CCAA event, previously held by Seth Marcaccio, who set the record in 2021 with a time of 25.22.00. The second-place finish earned Talbot a spot on the prestigious CCAA All-Canadian team which puts a ribbon on his outstanding first year with the Falcons.

The Falcon's Men's team fell just short of the podium as they finished fourth place in the race with a score of 81. The Men's squad was rounded out by Ethan Roche (19th) (London, ON), Ty Breedon (29th) (Barrie, ON), Owen Wrigley (44th) (St. Marys, ON), Noah Derganc (60th) (St. Thomas, ON) and Adam Voisey (81st) (Sarnia, ON). The Falcon's Women's team finished the National Championship race in 11th place with a score of 173. The Women's team included Megan Hutson (40th) (London, ON), Grace Boyce (43rd) (Markdale, ON), Janieka Droog (61st) (St. Marys, ON), Regan DeWinter (76th) (Mississauga, ON), and Peyton Burgess (99th) (Point Edward, ON). For full CCAA Championship race results, please visit: https://www.ccaa.ca/sports/xc/championship/index#results

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