By Ottawa South United Soccer Club
On a beautiful sunny day in late April, several OSU players took part in the third-annual Manotick Road Race. Both boys’ and girls’ teams competed, and each squad had some impressive results.
But for all of the players, parents, and coaches involved, it was a community-building experience just as much as it was a great way for the athletes to gear up for the summer season.
“It was an excellent occasion for players and their families to enjoy some time together away from the soccer pitch,” noted OSU Club Head Coach Paul Harris. “It was a great event not only for the boys and girls that were successful in the races, but for everyone who participated. It helped build team camaraderie and was a perfect way for players to close out their early-season training.”
OSU players shone in the 5 km race in particular. Selena Moussa finished with a blistering time of 21 minutes, 55 seconds to win her age category. What made Moussa’s time even more impressive was the fact that an error during the race added an extra half-kilometre to her run. The 13-year-old OSU player of six years said she “really likes to run fast” and “really wanted to do the best I could.” The experience was great for bringing her team together too, she added.
“It’s good to be able to cheer on and support your friends all the way to the finish line,” Moussa highlighted.
OSU Force 2000 boys goalkeeper Luc Rowlands also won his age category in a time of 22:17, with Nic Diberardino and Ian Kerr crossing the line soon after.
Rowlands has played competitively for OSU since he moved to Canada from England a number of years ago. He said that although it can be hard to juggle two high-level sports like running and soccer at the same time, the Manotick race was “good for starting our preseason fitness” because of how active players need to be in every game.
A few weeks later, a pair of OSU sisters earned a couple of shining results during Ottawa Race Weekend. Thirteen-year-old Shona McCulloch was the fastest female under age 20, finishing the 10k in under 40 minutes – after playing an Ontario Youth Soccer League game earlier in the day no less. McCulloch’s younger sister, Kory, was the fastest female under age 17 in the 5k race, in sub-20 minutes.
Several other OSU players placed well in high school track-and-field competitions, while many other OSU players set personal-best times in the Manotick event, which featured over 1,300 participants and helped support the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
“It’s fantastic to see our players and teams taking part in community events like the Manotick Road Race,” OSU board member Steve Campbell said. “And it’s a nice feather in our cap for OSU’s youth programs to see the all-around fitness our athletes displayed, while also showing tremendous spirit in our community.”