August 19, 2021

With the start of the ACAC Cross Country Running season around the corner, the 2021 Rattlers have recruited a strong core of runners to represent to the college and have a few spots on the roster still to fill.

Coach Bill Corcoran invites and looks forward to working with any student-athlete who is willing to put in the time and effort to improve. He explains that while previous competitive running experience is helpful, athletes who have played other sports in high school often make great cross country runners.

“When I coached in Grande Prairie, our team consisted of athletes with very diverse backgrounds and talents. In 2014, our national championship winning women’s team 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 Cross Country Nationals,” says Corcoran.

The team practices three to four times per week for approximately 90 minutes and is slated to compete in four ACAC races this fall.

The first race is scheduled for September 18 and is to be held at the Rattlers home course in Medicine Hat. The women’s ACAC race distance is 6 kms, with the men running 8 kms.

MHC students who are interested in learning more are encouraged to contact Coach Corcoran at bcorcoran@mhc.ab.ca or 780.538.2369 via call or text.