SARNIA – Coming out of the starting blocks strong to begin 2024.

Owen Norland (Sarnia, Ont.) has committed to Head Coach Scott Burns and the Lambton Cross Country Program for the 2024 season, and beyond.

Norland is the first commitment in the 2024 recruiting class for Burns and Assistant Coach Mark MacDonald.

“First and foremost, I’m very excited,” said Norland. “There’s definitely a lot of things to be excited about coming up, so it’s going to be really exciting come September that competitive racing will be back in my life, especially after the pandemic.”

“I’m excited to put myself out there more, meet new people, and learn a lot of new things at Lambton College. I’m always trying to better myself, so I feel that going into this new experience, I’ll be able to enhance that a lot more.”

Norland comes to Lambton College from St. Patrick’s Catholic High School in Sarnia, where he excelled at both track & field and cross country. With the Fighting Irish, Norland competed in both 800m and 1500m, as well as cross country.

In addition to running on his own, Norland also runs with the Sarnia Athletics Southwest Track & Field Club, where he doubles as an Assistant Coach. Norland works alongside MacDonald, who is the Head Coach with the club, bringing a level of familiarity with one another to the Lambton Cross Country Program come September.

Coach Burns is excited about the type of runner, and person, he is adding with the commitment of Norland to the mix.

“We are thrilled to have Owen joining us next year,” said Burns. “From a credentials standpoint, Owen was a standout in both track & field and cross country at St. Patrick’s and he has performed very well at OFSAA, so we feel condiment that he is going to be able to step right in and be very competitive in the OCAA next year.”

“Owen is very passionate, he’s deeply committed to his training, and he has an incredible work rate. Along with his talent and work ethic, he brings a leadership ability that we don’t often see in an incoming athlete.”

In addition to preparing for the upcoming OCAA season, Norland is also training for his first full marathon. He has his sights set on running the Toronto Marathon in early May.

Academically, Norland will be enrolled in the Practical Nursing Program at Lambton College.

The 2024 season will be the third season back for the Cross Country Program. Norland will be joining a handful of returning student-athletes, adding more leadership and talent to an already experienced group of runners that will generate more excitement around the program heading into the new season.

Welcome to The Den, Owen!

For more information, or for any media inquiries within Lambton College Athletics, please contact:

Tyler Bennett
Lambton College Sports Information & Marketing Coordinator
tyler.bennett@lambtoncollege.ca