By: Niki-Ann Brideau 

Mohawk Mountaineers cross country qualified for the 2021 CCAA Championships in Calgary. Student-athlete Niki-Ann Brideau is sharing the teams experience at nationals through a daily blog.

Here is the first edition of Niki's blogs from day one and two in Calgary:

Day 1: Thursday, Nov. 11   

Today we put the "mountain" in Mountaineers as the cross country team flew to Calgary, Alberta for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championships. After some time with our heads in the literal clouds, we decided to stretch out our legs in Banff, taking some much needed down time before putting focus on to Saturday's races.

The men's team earned their spot at this year's CCAAs by winning bronze in the Ontario Collegiate Athletic Association (OCAA) Championship two weeks ago. Three individuals from the women's team earned their spot at CCAAs by rolling in to the top 25 at the OCAAs. What was meant to be a foundation-building year for the team, where every runner except for one is a first-time varsity athlete, has resulted in putting Mohawk on the map as podium threats in the upcoming year.  

Day 2: Friday, Nov. 12 

A brisk morning brought the Mountaineers to St. Mary's University in Calgary to preview the race course ahead of Championship Saturday. Excitement ensued as the team caught their reflection in the polished and displayed championship medals. The course brings the Mountaineers a familiar challenge – grassy hills and quick turns chopped in to two-kilometre loops. Head coach David Hopton suspects a fast course, which means some Mountaineers may see a season personal best at tomorrow's race. With almost three times the competitors than the OCAAs, the Mountaineers will be focusing on pushing their way to the finish singlet by singlet.  

The Mountaineers will compete in the CCAA Championships on Nov. 13.