Rattlers Runners Continue to Improve

Posted on October 17, 2021 by bcorcoranMHC
MHC’s Carson Schiller (186) chases Lethbridge College’s Jack Bently (178) at the mid way point of the 2021 St. Mary’s Open XC running Race

The MHC Rattlers XC running team was in action on Saturday in Calgary at ACAC #3 – The St. Mary’s Open. The rookie-laden team (13 of the 14 athletes on the roster are first-year ACAC runners) finished 5th among the women’s team and 6th in the men’s standings.

Coach Bill Corcoran like what he saw: “To a person, each runner is getting faster each time we race. We have athletes taking 30 seconds, 60 seconds, or even multiple minutes off of times they ran in the past month. It’s exciting to watch!”

MHC’s Aden Haywood on the way on a 12th place finish at the 2021 St Mary’s Open XC Running race

Individually, both Pyper Gill and Aden Haywood led the Rattlers teams for the third time this season. Gill finished 11th in the women’s 6 km race, clocking a time of 26:55 over the rolling course on the St. Mary’s University grounds. Cheldynn Molnar (20th), Angela Bunn (36th), Huimei Huang (38th), Ji Soo Lee (39th), and Kelsey Hamill (40th) were the other Rattlers runners who completed the race.

In the men’s 8 km event, Haywood rallied hard in the closing kilometre and placed 12th in a time of 29:25. Teammates Brannon Sumner (21st), Carson Schiller (22nd), Keveen Gonsalez (32nd), and Shintaro Iwaki (40th) rounded out the MHC finishers.

MHC assistant coach Chris Jonker recorded a 15th place finish.

Next up for the Rattlers runners is the 2021 ACAC XC Running Championships in Camrose on October 30.

Full results will be posted on the ACAC XC Running page.

The MHC Women line up for the 2021 St Mary’s Open XC Running race
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Rattlers XC 6th at ACAC #2 Race

Posted on October 3, 2021 by bcorcoranMHC

The MHC Rattlers XC Running team travelled to Camrose on Saturday to take part in ACAC #2 – The Augustan Open. The rookie-heavy teams acquitted themselves well, both placing 6th in a field of 11 college team.

Brannon Sumner (left) sprints hard at the end of 2021 ACAC #2 – Augustana Open

For the second race in a row, Aden Haywood led the men’s team with a 9th place finish amongst the college runners. Haywood clocked a time of 30:08 over the hilly 8 km course. Other Rattlers finishers included Brannon Sumner (20th), Carson Schiller (24th), Keveen Tovar (42nd), and Shintaro Iwata (54th).

Rattlers assistant coach Chris Jonker placed 14th.

Pyper Gill led the MHC women with a 10th place finish at the 2021 ACAC #2- Augstana Open

In the women’s 6km race, the Rattlers Pyper Gill executed a smart race plan by starting slowly and gradually working her way up the field. Gill ended up in 10th place, recording a time of 27:51. Rattler team mates Cheldyn Molnar (22nd) and Angela Bunn (34th) also took part in the race.

Defending CCAA national champion Leonard Chesoo from Concordia University of Edmonton dominated the field by over a minute to win the men’s race. Lethbridge College won the men’s team title in a tie-breaker with Red Deer Polytechnic.

Augustana’s Reese Bendksen topped the women’s field; Concordia University of Edmonton were the women’s team champions

Next up for the XC Rattlers is ACAC #3 at St. Mary’s University in Calgary on October. 16.

Full results will be posted on the ACAC XC Running page.

Rattlers runners check out the course at the 2021 ACAC #2 – Augustana Opeb
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Rattlers Host ACAC #1 South

Posted on October 3, 2021 by bcorcoranMHC

After a 20-year plus hiatus, the MHC Rattlers XC Running team returned to ACAC competition on Saturday, Sept. 18 when it hosted four other colleges in ACAC #1 South race at the MHC Campus.

Aden Haywood finished 5th in the men’s 8km at the 2021 ACAC #1 South race

The newly re-launched XC program had a successful debut, placing 2nd among the men’s teams and 3rd among the women’s team. Rookie runners Pyper Gill and Aden Haywood led the home team. Gill placed 3rd in the women’s 6 km race while Haywood was 5th among the men, who ran 8 km.

The race was held on a 3 km loop on the MHC campus. While unseasonably warm temperatures and strong winds hampered performances, the visiting teams enjoyed a well organized competition on a very spectator-friendly course.

Full results are posted on the ACAC XC Running page.

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Rattlers Cross Country Seeking New Runners

Posted on August 10, 2021 by bcorcoranMHC
Carson Schiller (left) and Chris Jonker throw down before the start of the 2021 Virtual Rattler Run

With the start of the ACAC Cross Country Running season just around the corner, the 2021 Rattlers have recruited a strong core of runners to represent to the College.  However, the team is still seeking a few more student-athletes to fill out its roster.

Coach Bill Corcoran looks forward to working with any student-athlete who is willing to put in the time and effort to improve.  While previous competitive running experience is helpful, athletes who have played other sports in high school often make great xc runners.  According to Corcoran, “When I coached in Grande Prairie, our team consisted of athletes with very diverse backgrounds and talents. Our national champion women’s team in 2014 consisted of two ex-soccer players, two ex-basketball players, and a former national champion in synchronized swimming.  One year we had a 58-year old high school principal run with us who was taking college courses on a sabbatical.  A few years later, a 28-year old fellow, whose activity of choice in high school was musical theatre, started running with us.  Four years later, he finished in the top 20 at CCAA XC Nationals.”

The team practices three or four times per week for about 90 minutes.  The Rattlers are slated to compete in four ACAC races this fall beginning on September 18 on their home course in Medicine Hat.  The women’s ACAC race distance is 6 kms; the ACAC men run 8 kms.

Interested MHC students are encouraged to contact Coach Corcoran at bcorcoran@mhc.ab.ca or 780-538-2369 (call or text) to find out more about Rattlers XC Running.

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Rattlers and Friends Tackle 2021 Virtual Rattler Run

Posted on April 25, 2021 by bcorcoranMHC
Chris Jonker (right) “throws down” a challenge to Carson Schiller before their start of the 2021 Virtual Rattler Run

A dozen MHC Rattlers and friends spread over two provinces took to the roads and bike trails on Saturday for the 2021 Virtual Rattler Run.

Varsity XC Rattler Chris Jonker posted the fastest time, covering 10 kms around the MHC grounds in 35:59. Meanwhile, in Estevan, SK, incoming 2021-22 rookie runner Aden Heywood clocked a time of 18:10 to top all 5 km runners amongst the Rattlers’ group.

Chris Jonker (front) finishes his 10 km with a bit of pacing help from Branon Sumner (trailing)

The best female times were posted by 16 year old Maddy Scrimger (46:40 – 10 km) and Raya Grover and Abby ? (both 22:48 – 5 km).

Full Rattlers and Friends results are linked below:

21rattlerrunresultsDownload

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Solid Run For Schiller at AB XC Running Series Final

Posted on October 26, 2020 by bcorcoranMHC

Runners are off at the start of the 2020 Alberta XC Running Series Final in Red Deer on Saturday

In normal times, you wouldn’t expect a Rattlers runner to gain home course advantage in a race in Red Deer.  But these are not normal times.  With COVID-19 restrictions in place this fall, 1st year Paramedic student Carson Schiller has been studying remotely at his home this semester in Red Deer, the venue for Saturday’s 2020 Alberta XC Running Series Final at the Riverbend Golf Course.

Rattlers Carson Schiller midway through the 2020 Alberta XC Running Series Final in Red Deer

Schiller parlayed his home course knowledge into a solid 18th place finish under snowy, chilly conditions.  He rallied hard over the final lap stopping the clock  at 33:03 for the 8 km distance.

Former Hat High runner Landon Swartz, now running for SAIT, also took part in the race.  Swartz place 9th overall in a time of 30:09.

Full results are posted here.

 

 

 

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Rattlers Runners First and Third at Panthers XC Race

Posted on October 18, 2020 by bcorcoranMHC

Rattlers runner Chris Jonker blasted out to an early lead and never looked back on Saturday at the Panthers XC Running Race in Kin Coulee Park. Jonker cruised to a comfortable victory in the 6 km race, stopping the clock at 22:29, over a minute ahead of runner-up Darryl Smith from the Panthers.

Jonker’s teammate Truman Bartman also had a strong performance, finishing third overall in the race, and first in the U20 category. Bartman’s time was 24:37.

A total of 95 runners of all ages took part in the meet. Full results are posted here.

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Rattlers Contest Eagle Butte XC Running Race

Posted on October 4, 2020 by bcorcoranMHC

Echo Dale Park hosted the 17th Annual Eagle Butte Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 4

The newly formed Rattlers running team saw their first local action this weekend, taking part in the Eagle Butte High School Invitational at Echo Dale Park on Saturday.

MHC runner Chris Jonker, in his first ever XC running race, put in a solid performance, finishing second in the 6 km distance. Jonker chased winner Landon Swartz (Med Hat Panthers/SAIT) over the challenging, two lap, hilly course.

Chris Jonker placed 2nd in the 6 km distance at the 2020 Eagle Butte Invitational XC Race

Rattlers runner Aleena Matthews also took part. She was challenging for the lead at the 4 km mark of the women’s 6 km race when she fell and injured her knee.  Matthews was forced to hobble into the finish.

Next up,the Rattlers Running team will contest the Medicine Hat Panthers XC Race on October 17 at Kin Coulee Park.

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