Coming off a program best sixth place finish at the Seneca Invitational, the Niagara College cross country team competed in the 2015 OCAA Provincial Championship over the weekend, hosted by Sault College. 

Held at Crimson Ridge Golf Course, the women's 5k race kicked off the event, with over 15 institutions being represented by 99 student-athletes.  The Knights were represented by two first-year runners in Jennifer Siman (Toronto) and Olayinka Aloko (Nigeria).  Aloko paced the way for Niagara, finishing with a time of 27:20, good enough for 72^nd place.  Siman finished the race in 30:22, shaving 24 seconds off her time from her previous race.  Since Niagara only had two women running in the race, they did not qualify for team results. 

Emily Marcolini from Cambrian College won the race with an incredible time of 19:56, more than a minute faster than Ashley Bickle (Loyalist), who finished second with a time of 20:57.  Anna Greve from Sault College rounds out the top-three.

Humber, Conestoga, and St. Clair finished top three for female teams. 

The men's 8k race followed and Niagara was looking to improve on their ninth place finish from the 2014 OCAA Championship.  Led by Andy Hein (Omemee) and his 32^nd finish, the Knights collected 169 points that year.

Once again, the men's team was led by three sport athlete Andy Hein.  With a time of 28:23, Hein finished in 11^th place, the highest finish ever for Niagara in the championship.  Less than half a second separated Hein and a top ten finish.

Second-year runner Morgan Yeates (Fredericton) finished 44^th in 31:20, followed by first-year runners Gavin Martin (Newmarket), Malachi Clark (Severn Bridge), Russell Gibson (Oakvile), and Sean Baker (Kincardine), who finished 46^th, 48^th, 58^th, and 60^th respectively.

With 149 points, the men's team finished tenth place in the 16 team event.  Despite the lower finish than last season, the Knights lowered their team points (169-149), finished with a better team average (42^nd – 37^th), and shaved almost six minutes off their total team time (2:08:57 – 2:03:12).

Medal winners for men's individual were Rob Asselstine (SLK), Seth Maraccio (Fanshawe), and Riley Olesky (Fleming).

The Humber Hawks won team gold, preventing Fanshawe from winning seven straight provincial championships and setting an OCAA record.  Centennial College rounded out the top three.