THE BLUE AND WHITE

Cross Country may not always receive the spotlight in the vibrant world of school athletics, but it remains one of the most accessible, yet demanding teams on campus.

CISAA Championships

On October 22nd, the boys arrived in Port Hope for the CISAA XC Championships following a successful regular season filled with major team podium finishes and noteworthy individual performances. They were ready for one more battle with the infamous TCS course – including the dreaded climb up Mount Trinity. Hopes were high for the event and the boys did not disappoint.

The Novice Boys (Y9) were first up and battled for every place all the way to the line and secured 3rd overall. They narrowly missed out on qualifying to OFSAA as a team by just 4 points, but 3 athletes managed to qualify individually, no small task for a first year squad. They delivered a gritty performance that set the tone for the rest of the day.

Kai Bhattacharyya leads the Novice Boys race up Mount Trinity.

Junior Boys (Y10) were next up, pushing each other hard and largely running in a pack and working as a team to pick off other runners. The teamwork paid off handsomely as they raced their way to 2nd overall – beating SAC after being denied a spot on the line at OFSAA by them last year.

Junior Boys on the line before the race (mid-left).

And finally, the main event: The Senior Boys (Y11-12). After grinding up Mount Trinity not once but twice, the field became incredibly strung out and for the most part isolated. This left each athlete to fend for themselves and through their own determination reach the finish. And that they did, securing another silver medal performance to cap off the day and punching the ticket to OFSAA.

Senior Boys gearing up for one last race.

OFSAA Championships:

In total 15 UCC athletes represented the College at OFSAA XC, a school record. After picking up the much coveted OFSAA merch, the boys were ready to “finish on empty”. The day culminated in tons of PBs, as well as an outstanding performance from Kai with a massive kick to secure 20th in the province.

The Bottom Line:

The 2025 season was full of great moments, new memories, and camaraderie. The program still retains its signature “melting-pot” quality, being a team that takes people of all abilities and develops them into capable and competitive athletes. Whether your goal is to simply run a 5k or to win championships, there is a place for you on Varsity Cross Country.