David Hopton named 2023 Triathlon Ontario Coach of the Year

Mountaineers cross country head coach honoured for Tri season

(HAMILTON) – Mohawk Mountaineers cross country head coach David Hopton was named Triathlon Ontario's Coach of the Year on Tuesday (Oct. 10).

Hopton has been the Mountaineers head coach for the past three seasons helping guide the program to two OCAA medals, as well as two team appearances and a handful of individual entries to the CCAA National Championship.

In the sport of Triathlon, Hopton began his career as the coach of the Hammerheads and Koalas in January 2014. It was this past summer he and the squad had their best results, ultimately leading to Hopton becoming the recipient of the Coach of the Year award.

"It means a lot to get this award," Hopton said. "Coaching is extremely time consuming and at times an isolating pursuit."

Hopton had four athletes win their respective divisions at the 2023 Triathlon Ontario Draft Legal Provincial Championships back in September. This included two wins in the Junior Provincial Cup Series.

The other two victories came from current members of the Mountaineers cross country program. Ava Snyder claimed gold in the Elite Provincial Cup Series and the Provincial Championships, while Sage Sulentic won the Junior Provincial Championship.

Hopton also credited his team's success at the Quebec Provincial Championships, which he said is the strongest province in triathlon. The boys he coached in the junior race placed first, fifth, ninth, 13^th and 15^th, making up a third of the top-15 at the Quebec race.

"This award allows me to reflect on my contributions to my athlete's success over the past year," Hopton said, while he also attributing the award to the success of Mohawk's cross country team so far this season.

The Mountaineers have raced in two OCAA Invitationals to begin the 2023 cross country season, with the men placing first at both and the women finishing first and second. The team will now race at the Centennial Invitational on Oct. 14 and then prepare for the OCAA Championship on Oct. 28.

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Players Mentioned

Ava Snyder: 5' 2"; Sophomore

Sage Sulentic: 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Ava Snyder
: 5' 2"; Sophomore

Sage Sulentic
: 5' 7"; Freshman