Will Cebuliak ran away from the competition this year.
The first-year RDC runner made big strides on both the track and during the cross country season and for his accomplishments, was recognized as the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Male Rookie of the Year.
“Will has plenty of natural talent and is meticulous in his training habits. He warms up well, shows restraint where he needs, guts it out when it counts and takes the time to cool down,” said Kari Elliott, RDC Cross Country Running and Indoor Track Head Coach.
“Will is a smart athlete with a lot of heart. He led with punctuality, attendance, commitment to the program and a desire to win.”
The Hunting Hills High School grad helped the Kings earn gold in the fall at the ACAC Cross Country Championship while capturing eighth place overall individually in the 8km race. He was the ACAC Men’s Cross Country Running Rookie of the Year.
Cebuliak finished 17th at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Champions in Grande Prairie, helping the Kings to a bronze medal.
The Red Deer product was also a big part of the Kings success in the indoor track season, which was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cebuliak helped the kings to wins in Grand Prix 1 and 2. At the seasoning opening event,
Cebuliak finished second in the 1000m (2:45.33), third over 1500m (4:29.39) and was a member of the second-place Kings 4x400m relay team (3:48.55). In Red Deer, at Grand Prix 2, he was second (1:27.17) in the 600m and helped the RDC Kings to a third-place finish in the 4x200m relay team (1:40.49).
Cebuliak is attending the University of Alberta in Edmonton next year and will represent the Golden Bears at the U Sports level.
“I expect that we will see Will continue to improve tremendously in the years to come, although we will have to watch from a distance as he is now a Golden Bear at the U of A,” said Elliott. “He will succeed at the next level and we are proud to have been part of his athletic journey.”
Jenay Varga of the Lakeland Rustlers women’s volleyball team was the ACAC Female Rookie of the Year.