Mason runs for bronze at CCAAs
First year cross country runner John Mason earned a bronze medal at the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) this season and will look forward to two more success filled seasons with the Falcon squad.
Currently in his first year in the Architecture Program, Mason said the chance to be a part of the cross county team really drew him to London.
“I was looking at my program at a couple of colleges, and when I found out that they had a cross country team, and that they had a really good coach here, I thought this was the place for me,” said Mason.
Mason won a silver medal at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) provincial championship, and then won a bronze medal at Fleming College during the CCAA national championship race.
Coming into college, Mason was not sure what to expect in terms of competition and was surprised and happy with his success.
“I didn't know what to expect because I knew if I had gone to a university that I probably maybe would have been on their A team, at a good university, but I wouldn't of had any chance to be a real contender, “ Mason said.
“I realized once I got here that there are some really great athletes at the top...but I wasn't really expecting any of this when I came here.”
Mason said despite being the teams most consistent runner, he did not feel any added pressure to lead the way.
“There was a lot of returning great runners, like Andrew Galloway and Jeff Allen, that helped to sort of motivate the team and keep them together,” said Mason.
“So I was just doing my own thing, just running, and trying to improve like everyone else was. I wasn't going to do anything super, I wasn't trying to carry the team or anything like that, I just tried to do everything I could to do my best.”
Head coach John Loney had nothing but positive things to say about Mason, and said it was a great pleasure to have the chance to coach him.
“He is exactly the kind of athlete that any coach would be proud to have,” said Loney.
“The first time that I got an email from him, I noticed that his email was “John the runner” so as a coach, if that is your email you are pretty hardcore. He's just top notch, he leads by example, and I see nothing but good things coming from him in the future.”
Mason will continue to train throughout the winter, working on his speed and endurance to prepare for the 2006 season.
Currently in his first year in the Architecture Program, Mason said the chance to be a part of the cross county team really drew him to London.
“I was looking at my program at a couple of colleges, and when I found out that they had a cross country team, and that they had a really good coach here, I thought this was the place for me,” said Mason.
Mason won a silver medal at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) provincial championship, and then won a bronze medal at Fleming College during the CCAA national championship race.
Coming into college, Mason was not sure what to expect in terms of competition and was surprised and happy with his success.
“I didn't know what to expect because I knew if I had gone to a university that I probably maybe would have been on their A team, at a good university, but I wouldn't of had any chance to be a real contender, “ Mason said.
“I realized once I got here that there are some really great athletes at the top...but I wasn't really expecting any of this when I came here.”
Mason said despite being the teams most consistent runner, he did not feel any added pressure to lead the way.
“There was a lot of returning great runners, like Andrew Galloway and Jeff Allen, that helped to sort of motivate the team and keep them together,” said Mason.
“So I was just doing my own thing, just running, and trying to improve like everyone else was. I wasn't going to do anything super, I wasn't trying to carry the team or anything like that, I just tried to do everything I could to do my best.”
Head coach John Loney had nothing but positive things to say about Mason, and said it was a great pleasure to have the chance to coach him.
“He is exactly the kind of athlete that any coach would be proud to have,” said Loney.
“The first time that I got an email from him, I noticed that his email was “John the runner” so as a coach, if that is your email you are pretty hardcore. He's just top notch, he leads by example, and I see nothing but good things coming from him in the future.”
Mason will continue to train throughout the winter, working on his speed and endurance to prepare for the 2006 season.
