Talbot wins individual OCAA gold, Women's team captures bronze
(London, Ontario) – The Fanshawe Falcons Cross Country teams delivered exceptional performances in King City on Saturday as they competed at the OCAA Provincial Championships hosted by Seneca College.
The Men's team were named OCAA Champions in the eight-kilometer race with a score of 19. Leading the charge for the Falcons was Matt Talbot (Ailsa Craig, ON), who took first place overall, earning individual gold with a time of 26:43. Talbot's victory marks his fifth consecutive first-place finish this season, having swept all four OCAA Invitational meets leading up to the Championship. This season long dominance earned Talbot the 2024 OCAA Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Year.
Talbot was closely supported by his teammate Ethan Roche (London, ON) who finished the race with a time of 27:50 to claim individual bronze. Fanshawe's Men's team was rounded out by Ty Breedon (Barrie, ON), Owen Wrigley (St. Marys, ON), Noah Derganc (St. Thomas, ON) and Adam Voisey (Sarnia, ON) whose contributions helped the Falcons claim gold. Talbot, Roche and Breedon's (5th) performances earned them a spot on the OCAA All-Ontario First Team. Wrigley (10th) was named to the OCAA All-Ontario Second Team.
The Fanshawe Women's team captured OCAA bronze in the six-kilometer race with a score of 52. The Falcons were led by excellent performances from Megan Hutson (London, ON) and Grace Boyce (Markdale, ON) who finished 10th and 11th respectively. Other Falcons runners Janieka Droog (St. Marys, ON), Regan DeWinter (Mississauga, ON), and Peyton Burgess (Point Edward, ON) had strong showings to help the Women's team capture bronze. Both Hutson and Boyce claimed All-Ontario Second Team honours for their individual performances.
Falcons Head Coach Regan Ryter earned the title of OCAA Cross Country Coach of the Year after guiding Fanshawe to outstanding finishes throughout the 2024 season.
The Falcons' impressive season will continue November 9th at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championships, set to be hosted by St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario. Both teams' will look to carry their momentum from Provincials to Nationals in their hunt for another podium finish.
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