HAMILTON, Ont. — Women's curling, Rachel Steele and men's distance track, Alec Purnell have been crowned this week's Marauder Athletes of the Week for their excellent showings in their respective maroon jerseys. 

Distance Track - Alexander Purnell (Dundas, Ont.)

Purnell ran in Boston at the Terrier Classic this weekend. He ran the mile and finished 30th overall and third in his heat crossing the finishing line in just over four minutes at 4:00.09. His 1500m time was also recorded in this race where he finished in 3:44.00 which gave him the school record in both the mile and 1500m. That's two school records in a single race. Purnell is now not only ranked first in the country in the 3000m but now holds the second spot in the 1500m national rankings. 

Women's Curling - Rachel Steele (Port Perry, Ont.)

Steele, in her role of the vice, led her team to a gold medal this weekend at the OUA Championship in Sudbury. In the round robin McMaster racked up 3 wins and 1 loss, and then moved into the playoff rounds. McMaster met the Ravens for the second time this tournament, and made sure to save their best play for the playoffs to edge the Ravens out 4-3 in the quarterfinals. Then, in the semis they beat Guelph 7-1 to punch a ticket to the OUA finals where they would face Laurier. McMaster would hold strong to win the finals 5-3 and take the 2025 OUA Women's Curling gold medal!