By: Sharlane MacLeod

Drum roll please…

 Congratulations to Skye Pinto and Irvin Omere on their huge efforts at the OCAA Championships, hosted by Conestoga College on Saturday October 28^th, 2023.

 That's right, two Colts are bound for the 2023 CCAA Cross Country National Championships being held in Truro, Nova Scotia on November 11^th, hosted by the Dalhousie Agricultural College. As if that weren't impressive enough, both Skye and Irvin scored additional honors of 2^nd-team All-Ontario, a clear recognition of their amazing achievements on the day.

This will be Centennial's first representation at the National Championship since 2019.

 So, how did it all shake out?

Surrounded by the beautiful Shades Mill Conservation Area, runners had great weather and a picturesque backdrop for the championship race. The athletes took full advantage of the perfect conditions and put on a great show for spectators over the fast but technical course. Spectators had no shortage of entertainment with all-out sprints to the finish and plenty of upsets in both the individual and team standings.

In the women's 6km, Skye Pinto came out strong and battled throughout the race, at one point falling out of a qualifying position, but she persevered in the end to cross the line in 13^th place with her fastest time of the season 25:47.

 In the men's 8km, Irvin Omere was his usual self, cool as a cucumber, cruising across the line with confidence in 8^th position in a time of 26:59.

 Helping these two on their road to qualifying for Nationals were their amazing team members whose consistency and great attitudes throughout the season made showing up for practices and putting in best efforts feel fun and easy. Despite stellar performances from all the Colts runners some have seen their season come to a close. In the end the men's team, who had been competing for a National placement throughout the season ultimately had to settle for 7^th place of 12 teams, it was a tough loss for a gritty team who no doubt are already setting their sights on Nationals 2024.

 A massive shout-out to all of the Centennial Colts XC team members who put in huge efforts at Saturday's race, and now look to cheer on their teammates Skye and Irvin as they represent the team at the Nationals in Nova Scotia.

 Colts complete order of finish:

 Women's 6km,

13^th - Skye Pinto, 25:47

48^th - Jeannalla Burns, 32:05

 Men's 8km,

8^th - Irvin Omere, 26:59

29^th - Kyle Jackson, 29:17

35^th - Ben Yalin, 29:41

47^th - Jones Chung, 30:53