Speed River Track and Field Club Adds Two Oregon Alum Steeplechasers To Their Guelph, Ontario-based Group
Press Release
October 1, 2009
The Speed River Track and Field Club is thrilled to announce the
additions of Chris Winter and Dana Buchanan, both recent graduates of
the University of Oregon. The two steeplechasers will bolster Speed
Rivers growing reputation as one of North Americas strongest distance
training groups.
Winter, a native of West Vancouver, is a two-time NCAA finalist in the
3000 metre steeplechase. He was ranked fourth in Canada this year with
a lifetime best of 8 minutes 42.03 seconds. A former World Youth Bronze
Medalist, Winter has represented Canada numerous times internationally.
His addition gives the Speed River group four of the top five male
steeplechasers in the country.
Buchanan was runner-up at this years Canadian Championships. She
boasts impressive range from 800 metres to cross country. The former
Canadian Junior Champion at over the former distance, Buchanan was an
All-American at Oregon and in 2008 qualified to represent Canada at the
World Cross Country Championships. The Beachburg, Ontario native, has a
lifetime best in the steeplechase of 10 minutes 28.53 seconds, which is
the 13th best in Canadian history. Buchanan is currently in Beirut,
Lebanon preparing for the Francophone Games where she will be running
the steeplechase Sunday evening.
Speed River Head Coach Dave Scott-Thomas commented on the teams new
additions, I think in addition to the physical talent that (Chris and
Dana) bring, we have people who get it. They are really good team
players, who have really good hearts and are motivated Canadians, who
are ready to lay it down.
Winter is equally excited about his arrival, the team has welcomed me
with open arms. The training so far has been hard but I am adapting
well. I am really excited to be here and am looking forward to what
the group can create.
Scott-Thomas couldnt contain his excitement when it comes to the
future of the group adding it is unbelievable, aside from what I think
we will do statistically with the steeplechase and other events in the
next couple of years, it is just a fantastic group of people to work
with.