HAAN NAMED OCAA CROSS COUNTRY COACH OF THE YEAR

KINGSTON, Ont. - Monique Haan of the Humber Hawks is the 2011 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) cross country coach of the year.

Haan led the Humber Hawks to a women's and overall team title at the recent OCAA Cross Country Championships at Old Fort Henry in Kingston, Ont., the first such titles for Humber in four years.

Vicky Siemon was a key factor in both team banners, winning the 5 km women's race in a time of 18:06 for her first individual OCAA championship. Humber placed three student-athletes in the Top 10, with Becky Tindall sixth-place time of 19:42, two seconds better than teammate Amy Walcott. Aimee Large placed 18th in a time of 21:27 as the top four times contribute to determining team champions.

Humber also earned men's team silver, led by Nathaniel Green's seven-place time of 27:01. Roberto Galle (27:25, ninth overall), Darren Mancini (28:15, 16th place) and Jesse Bruce (28:39, 18th place) were also contributers to Humber's second-place finish. With the women's team title and men's silver medals, Humber easily won the overall championship.

Haan is in her sixth year as head coach of the Hawks. She is a sessional instructor in the health and fitness promotion program at Humber, and is an active track and field competitor.

Under Haan's guidance the Hawks achieved many of the goals they set out for this season, including individual best times, improvement on last year's results and medals at provincials. An improved commitment of athletes to training both physically and mentally paid immediate dividends to Humber in 2011.

Haan is OCAA's nominee for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Cross Country Coach of the Year.

- OCAA -

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