The Mohawk Mountaineers are pleased to announce the hiring of David Hopton as the newest addition to the Mountaineer coaching staff in the role of Cross-Country Head Coach.
The program has experienced recent success from a team and individual perspective, highlighted by CCAA All-Canadian Kyle Rooke who won an OCAA gold medal in 2018-2019. Hopton says he's confident he can carry on with the success.
"I've been primarily coaching triathlon, but there are a lot of similarities between the strength-based style of cross-country and running at the end of a triathlon. I'm excited for the new challenge and I'm confident I can continue with the success of the Mohawk cross-country program," says Hopton. "I'm excited to work with motivated athletes and help them reach their potential."
Hopton, a Toronto native, graduated from McMaster's Kinesiology program in 2014 where he was part of the Marauders cross-country program.
Since graduating, Hopton competed in triathlons at the elite/pro level from 2012-2018 and has been coaching in the Hamilton community during that time as well.
He's been the Head Junior Coach of the Hamilton Hammerheads Triathlon & Running Team since 2014 and has been a running coach with Team LPC Triathlon since 2018.
"David checks every box that we look for in a coach and I know he'll fit right in with the culture the Mountaineer high-performance program is creating," said Matt Ferreira, Mohawk Director of Athletics and Recreation. "He has a long list of coaching accomplishments and I'm confident that will continue here at Mohawk."
The amateur athletes Hopton has coached have went on to win 25 medals at the provincial level since 2017, highlighted by nine gold medals.
Hopton has a lot in common with many of the Head Coaches across the Mountaineer program and not solely due to his success coaching at the amateur level. Like many other Mountaineer coaches, Hopton has made a profound impact on the sports community in Hamilton over the years. Despite being from Toronto, he grew up training in Hamilton from a very young age.
"I really believe Hamilton is the best city in the province for running and I hope to use the amazing trails at our disposal. I see it as an advantage that we have over other colleges," explains Hopton. "To coach for a college like Mohawk is a dream come true, and I'm excited to make the most of this opportunity and hopefully help take the team to new heights."
Coach Hopton has made quick work of rounding out his coaching staff. The Mountaineer program is pleased to announce that Assistant Coach Hannah Sukkau will return to the Cross-Country program for her third season on staff. Coach Sukkau has an excellent reputation across the program and will be a key piece in the transformation of the team.
With the government easing restrictions across the province for sports and the recent announcement of the OCAA fall season structure, it will be a quick turnaround for Coach Hopton with his first meet just months away.
The Mountaineers are pleased to add Coach Hopton to an already exciting list of Head Coaches in the program and are excited to see where he will take the team in his first season.
Welcome to the Mountaineers, David!
