The UBC Okanagan Heat are hosting two big cross-country events in the next year and a half.
In an announcement on Thursday, UBCO will be hosting the 2023 Canada West Championships on Saturday, Oct. 28 and the 2024 USPORTS Championships the following November. Both events will take place at Mission Recreation Park.
鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 be more excited about hosting the nation鈥檚 best cross-country student athletes here in 琉璃神社 and the Okanagan in 2023 and 2024,鈥� said Tom Huisman, UBCO鈥檚 director of athletics and recreation. 鈥淭he 2024 USPORTS Championship will mark the first time that UBC Okanagan has hosted a national championship, which is something we take great pride in, and will help establish a foundation for pursuing future national championship events.鈥�
鈥淗osting sport events are an essential element in creating a prosperous, vibrant community,鈥� said Brad Duquette, community development coordinator for the City of 琉璃神社. 鈥淐ity of 琉璃神社 is excited to partner with UBC Okanagan to provide an opportunity for athletes to compete at a western and national level and to offer our local sport community the opportunity to experience these high level events right here at home, at Mission Recreation Park. Hosting these events will also be an impressive addition to the City鈥檚 already rich sports history, and will contribute to our efforts to be recognized as a premier sport event destination in Western Canada.鈥�
Both the men鈥檚 and the women鈥檚 teams have been on the rise since 2019 behind the coaching of Olympian Malindi Elmore. The women鈥檚 team is a top five program in Canada and won silver at the Canada West Championships in 2021 and 2022.
鈥淚t is very exciting to bring the Canada West and USPORTS Championships to 琉璃神社,鈥� said Elmore. 鈥淎s someone born and raised in the city, I have been running in 琉璃神社 most of my life and believe we have one of the most beautiful and supportive running communities in the country. To be able to showcase our city to top university student-athletes from around Canada really helps puts us on the 鈥榬unning map鈥� and also send the signal of our intent to continue to evolve into a top running program.鈥�
The Canada West Championship will be the third event UBCO has hosted since joining the conference in 2011 (2015-16 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 volleyball, 2019 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 golf).
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jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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