HAMILTON, Ont. — For fifth-year McMaster runner Will Weist, the journey to becoming a national championship contender began on the hockey rink. After stepping away from competitive hockey in high school, Weist discovered his potential as a distance runner. His development eventually led him to McMaster, where head coach Paula Schnurr's individualized training philosophy helped shape his growth. Now, four years after witnessing the Marauders capture national gold in 2022, Weist is looking to help bring another U SPORTS championship to Hamilton.

"She really cares about athlete development, which is kind of rare in the sport nowadays. She's really good at tailoring it." 

Growing up in the Durham Region, Weist never envisioned himself competing for national championships in cross country. Hockey occupied much of his early athletic career, while running remained a secondary pursuit throughout his first years of high school. It wasn't until Grade 11, after stepping away from competitive hockey, that he began recognizing his potential as a distance runner. Weist joined the Durham Dragons running club, competing at provincial and national events while developing the fitness that would eventually attract university attention.

McMaster quickly emerged as a leading destination, offering a strong business program and an established cross country team under head coach Paula Schnurr. What stood out most was Schnurr's commitment to individualized athlete development, an approach that would become central to Weist's progression throughout his university career. Arriving in Hamilton in 2022, Weist joined a Marauders program that would capture the U SPORTS men's cross country championship that season.

However, his introduction to varsity athletics came with challenges. Despite entering university in strong physical condition, Weist struggled to balance academics, independent living and the demands of training. Late nights studying, inconsistent recovery and the adjustment to university life affected his performances throughout his rookie campaign. The experience provided an important lesson about the commitment required to compete at the highest level.

By his second year, Weist had established himself among McMaster's championship runners, regularly competing as one of the program's top finishers. While the Marauders underwent a rebuilding period following their 2022 national championship, Weist recognized an opportunity to gain experience and contribute to the team's long-term development. The following seasons brought steady progress, but also frustration, as McMaster collected consecutive OUA bronze medals.

Entering 2026, Weist was determined to help change that result. "I cannot have another OUA bronze," Weist joked during the interview. "Like, we gotta upgrade." The Marauders delivered, capturing the 2026 OUA men's cross country championship and establishing themselves as the country's top-ranked program heading into nationals.

For Weist, the result represented years of consistent work rather than a sudden breakthrough. McMaster's training philosophy emphasizes sustainable improvement, allowing runners to develop without pushing themselves to exhaustion during every workout. The team introduced double-threshold training sessions during the fall, incorporating two controlled workouts on certain Tuesdays while maintaining a strong focus on recovery.

Weist believes the program's willingness to train intelligently, rather than simply harder, has been a defining factor in its success. "Just stacking weeks and months of good workouts, not, like, overexerting yourself," Weiss explained. "Just keep something in the tank for race day." That approach has helped the Marauders remain healthy, consistent and prepared for the championship portion of the season. With another opportunity to compete for national gold approaching, Weiss sees the team's preparation as the foundation for its confidence.

Beyond the physical demands, Weist credits the team's ability to remain patient and disciplined throughout the season. With Schnurr tailoring training plans to individual needs, the Marauders have avoided chasing short-term results in favour of long-term development. That consistency has allowed the group to build confidence with each passing week, knowing their preparation will put them in a position to succeed when it matters most. For Weist, the approach reinforces a lesson learned throughout his five years at McMaster: progress comes from trusting the process.

"Just stacking weeks and months of good workouts, not, like, overexerting yourself. Just keep something in the tank for race day."

McMaster's success throughout the 2026 season has been built on more than individual performances. After returning its entire top seven from the previous cross country campaign, the program entered the year with an experienced core and the belief that it could compete for a national championship. While several competing programs lost key contributors to graduation, the Marauders maintained continuity, allowing their veteran runners to build on years of training together. For Weist, that familiarity has helped establish a team culture rooted in trust, accountability and collective improvement.

Much of McMaster's training takes place outside scheduled team practices, requiring athletes to manage their own mileage and recovery around academic commitments. Although the runners are responsible for completing their individual training, group chats and shared runs help maintain the connection between teammates. Weist believes the system works because everyone understands the importance of personal discipline. "You're gonna get out of it whatever you put in," Weist explained. "It's just a discipline thing, and you have to be accountable for yourself."

That responsibility extends beyond training. As one of the program's veterans, Weist has embraced the opportunity to help younger runners adjust to university athletics, particularly first-year athletes entering a demanding competitive environment. The arrival of talented rookies has strengthened McMaster's lineup, with Weist crediting Schnurr's approach to integrating new athletes gradually into the program. Rather than expecting newcomers to immediately adapt to an entirely different training system, Schnurr works with each runner to understand their previous experience and develop an appropriate progression.

Upper-year athletes also play an important role, offering advice on training, recovery and academics while ensuring younger teammates feel included. For Weist, those relationships are an essential part of what makes the Marauders successful. The team's collective approach is particularly evident on race day. Rather than having every runner attack the opening kilometres independently, several McMaster athletes often work together through the early stages of competition.

Weist explained that running in a pack allows teammates to remain controlled, conserve energy and build confidence before making their move later in the race. "We work out together, like we know we're in where we need to be," Weist said. "It's just nice having teammates around." The strategy can also create a psychological advantage, particularly when multiple Marauders begin moving past competitors together in the second half of a race. For Weiss, the ability to rely on familiar teammates during difficult moments reflects the trust developed through countless hours of shared preparation.

That chemistry has helped McMaster maintain the No. 1 national ranking throughout the 2026 season, establishing the Marauders as a leading contender for the U SPORTS championship. However, success has also brought expectations. With the team occupying the top spot in the national rankings, Weist understands that opposing programs are measuring themselves against McMaster. Rather than viewing that attention negatively, he believes it reflects the work the Marauders have invested in reaching this position.

"We try not to talk about it, but there is a pressure," Weist acknowledged. "Like we're ranked number one, we should win." Despite those expectations, the team's focus remains on executing its own race strategy and trusting the preparation that has brought it this far. Having witnessed McMaster's national championship victory in 2022, Weiss understands the significance of competing for another title. That experience provided an early example of what the program could accomplish under Schnurr's leadership and motivated him throughout the seasons that followed.

Now in his fifth year, Weist has the opportunity to help deliver another championship as one of the program's experienced leaders. His journey from a high school hockey player to a national championship contender reflects the patient development that has become a defining characteristic of McMaster's cross country program. For Weist and his teammates, the opportunity ahead is the culmination of years spent building toward a common goal.

The Marauders enter the national championship with confidence, experience and a belief that their best performances come from trusting one another. And while the expectations surrounding the country's top-ranked team continue to grow, Weist is determined to embrace the moment.

"Pressure is a privilege, right? It's a privilege for everyone to just be trying."