Local Cross Country Runners Named Redeemer Athletes of the Month

Julie Koopmans of Chatham and Taylor Kraayenbrink of Port Lambton were named the Redeemer College Royals Female and Male Athletes of the Month after starring for the school in OCAA competition.

Koopmans finished her cross country season as Redeemer’s top female runner, including a 16th place finish at the OCAA 2011 Provincial Championships. She ran the 5km race in 21:15.

Kraayenbrink earned OCAA second team honours after finishing 13th in the men’s field at the OCAA cross country Provincial Championships. Kraayenbrink finished the 8km race in only 28:03.

The double local honour continued a string of Chatham-Kent athletes being recognized as the Redeemer Royals athlete of the month with Ashley Grootenboer being recognized following September. Grootenboer is a centre back for the Redeemer Royals soccer team, who finished their OCAA season with a 3-3-1 record.