HAMILTON - Paula Schnurr focuses on local talent with the second half of her 2023-24 signing class, securing Porter Lakhanpal, Florina Keller, Ben Keller, Kamran Brar, Kara Tichbourne and Joey McIntyre.
 
"I am thrilled to have local talent attending McMaster this fall including Westdale High School twins Ben and Florina Keller as well as OFSAA finalist in the 800m and 1500m, Porter Lakhanpal from Westmount Secondary School," says Schnurr. "I am looking forward to working with the incoming class who are a group of ambitious student- athletes that are eager to represent McMaster University."
 
Assistant Coach Matt Hughes echoes Schnurr's thoughts. "The Marauder athletes in recent years have set a very high standard for performance but we feel that this incoming class has what it takes to continue the winning tradition at Mac!" 
 

PORTER LAKHANPAL | WESTMOUNT SECONDARY SCHOOL | DUNDAS, ONT. | HAMMERHEADS AND KOALAS TRIATHLON TEAM
Porter, a Dundas local who attended Westmount Secondary School, will stay home in Hamilton and sport the maroon and grey this fall. He finished in the Top 10 at the OFSAA Track and Field Championships in both the 800m (7^th) and 1500m (10^th). Lakhanpal will study kinesiology while at McMaster.
 
"I am looking forward to not only being in a great academic environment but also an excellent running program with great coaches and an amazing group to train with."
 
 
FLORINA KELLER | WESTDALE SECONDARY SCHOOL | HAMILTON, ONT. | HAMILTON OLYMPIC CLUB
Florina will not have far to go in September to begin her varsity track and cross-country career. She competes in the 800m and 1500m as well as the 4x400 relay After finishing 8^th at OFSAA in the 4x400m with her teammates from Westdale Secondary School, Keller will now study life sciences at McMaster in the fall.
 
"I am excited to run track and cross country with new people and explore even more of Hamilton."
 
 
BEN KELLER | WESTDALE SECONDARY SCHOOL | HAMILTON, ONT. | HAMILTON OLYMPIC CLUB
Ben, a member of the Hamilton Olympic Club, will join his hometown Marauders this September. He finished in 13^th place at the OFSAA Track and Field Championship in the 3000m and crossed the finish line 15^th at the 2022 OFSAA Cross Country Championship in the fall. Keller will study engineering as a Marauder.
 
"I am incredibly excited to run with so many new, amazing people."
 
 
KAMRAN BRAR | MAXWELL HEIGHTS SECONDARY SCHOOL | OSHAWA, ONT. | UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO TRACK & FIELD CLUB
Kamran, a graduate of Maxwell Heights Secondary School in Oshawa, Ont. will join the Marauders in September where he will compete in both the 800m and 1500m. Brar will study computer science while at McMaster.
 
"I'm excited to take my running to the next level and follow in the footsteps of the Marauders before me."
 

KARA TICHBOURNE | GEORGIAN BAY COMMUNITY SCHOOL | MEAFORD, ONT. | SAUGEEN TRACK CLUB
Kara enters the McMaster cross country and distance track program by way of Meaford, Ont. She competes with the Saugeen Track Club and with her team, broke the Canadian records for Under 18, Under 20 and Under 23 age classes, as well as the Provincial record (all ages), for the distance medley relay. Tichbourne will study medical radiation science at McMaster.

"I'm very excited to join such a high level team with great athletes and coaches while continuing my education!"
 
 
JOEY MCINTYRE | LAUREL HEIGHTS SECONDARY SCHOOL | WATERLOO, ONT. | LAUREL CREEK TRACK CLUB
Joey, a Waterloo local, comes to McMaster to study engineering. He was named the 2023 Laurel Heights Secondary School Cross Country and Track and Field MVP as well as the 2023 Graduating Athlete of the Year. In 2022, McIntyre finished 4^th at the CWOSSA Cross Country Championship and was 16^th overall at the U18 Cross Country Provincial Championship.
 
"I am excited to be joining such a strong athletic and academic team. I am grateful for the opportunity to work under such an incredible coaching staff, and I look forward to being a part of this team's future!"
 

For the latest news and updates on the McMaster Marauders, follow @mcmastersports on social media or visit www.marauders.ca.