HAMILTON - McMaster cross country and distance track head coach, Paula Schnurr, announced the first five recruits – Ryan Davies, Ella Madsen, Tristan Bouius, Sam Patrick and Austin McGoey - have committed to join the McMaster program in 2023-24.
"This is the best incoming class that I have seen since my years as Head Cross Country and Track Coach at McMaster" said Schnurr. "We have some of the top steeplechasers in the country which bodes well for our program."
Davies, Bouius and Patrick swept the OFSAA Track and Field Championship steeplechase podium while another maroon and grey recruit, Ella Madsen, earned top spot in the steeplechase at the BCHS Track and Field Championships.
2023 OFSAA Steeplechase Podium Sweep by Incoming McMaster Student-Athletes
(L-R: Tristan Bouius, Ryan Davies, Sam Patrick)
"As Paula and I progressed through the spring and summer, we continued to see the interest and commitment to the McMaster cross country and distance program from some of the top talents in the steeplechase from across Ontario and the country," stated Matt Hughes, 2x Olympian Steeplechaser and Marauder Assistant Coach.
"Steeplechasers tend to not just be very good overall runners and accomplished in cross country but also tend to be quite athletic. We are very excited to welcome these athletes to McMaster."
RYAN DAVIES | NORTHERN COLLEGIATE | SARNIA, ONT. | LONDON WESTERN TRACK & FIELD CLUB
Ryan, a Sarnia local, arrives at McMaster as the 2023 OFSAA Steeplechase Champion. He also earned a fourth-place finish in the 3000m at the OFSAA Track and Field Championship and crossed the finish line fifth at the OFSAA Cross Country Championship for Northern Collegiate Institute and Vocational School. Davies will study integrated business and humanities at McMaster.
"I am excited to be part of a strong incoming class of rookies that can work and develop together and see similar success as the now graduated members of last year's U SPORTS Championship-winning team were able to achieve."
ELLA MADSEN | RIVERSIDE SECONDARY SCHOOL | PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. | COQUITLAM CHEETAHS TRACK & FIELD CLUB
Ella will make her way east to Hamilton from Port Coquitlam, B.C. where she will study engineering as a Marauder. The 2023 Riverside Secondary School Athlete of the Year was both the 2023 BC Track and Field U20 Girls Champion and the 2023 BCHS Track and Field Senior Girls Provincial Champion. She placed 4
th at the 2022 BC XC U18 Girls Provincials and finished 9
th at the 2022 Canadian U18 Girls XC Nationals.
"I am really looking forward to training under Paula Schnurr and joining a strong running team with incredible athletes. Additionally, I am super excited to make the move to Ontario and discover a new part of Canada."
TRISTAN BOUIUS | JOHN DIEFENBAKER SENIOR SCHOOL | HANOVER, ONT. | SAUGEEN TRACK & FIELD CLUB
Tristan, a member of the Saugeen Track & Field Club, will join the Marauders in September after earning a silver medal in the steeplechase at the 2023 OFSAA Track and Field Championship. The 2022 Athlete of the Year for John Diefenbaker Senior School, Bouius finished the cross-country season in 6
th place at OFSAA. The Hanover, Ont. local will study engineering at McMaster.
"I am looking forward to training and competing with a high-level team that pushes me to reach my potential."
SAM PATRICK | CENTENNIAL COLLEGIATE VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE | GUELPH, ONT. | ROYAL CITY ATHLETICS CLUB
Sam, a 2023 OFSAA bronze medalist in the steeplechase, will travel down Highway 6 to study engineering at McMaster. The Guelph local was named both the Centennial CVI Cross Country and Track and Field MVP this past year. Outside of ending his high school career on the podium, he also finished in the Top 10 at CWOSSA Cross Country. Patrick was also named the recipient of the Jack Bruce Track and Field Leadership Award at Centennial CVI.
"I'm excited to learn and train with experienced athletes in a new elite environment!"
AUSTIN MCGOEY | HENRY STREET HIGH SCHOOL | WHITBY, ONT. | DURHAM DRAGONS ATHLETICS
Austin enters the McMaster cross country and distance track program after finishing seventh in the steeplechase at OFSAA. He competes with Durham Dragon Athletics and will be studying automotive and vehicle engineering once in Hamilton. McGoey also finished 15
th in the 3000m event at the high school provincial championship.
"I am excited to join a program with such experienced coaches who have shown that they excel at developing their athletes into some of the best in the country."
For the latest news and updates on the McMaster Marauders, follow @mcmastersports on social media or visit www.marauders.ca.
