HAMILTON, Ont. – Mohawk Mountaineers head coach David Hopton has been named the 2025 OCAA Cross Country Coach of the Year, as voted on by his peers.

This marks Hopton's second time receiving the honour in his five-year tenure leading the Mountaineers. He last earned the award in 2023, when he was also recognized nationally as the CCAA Coach of the Year.

Hopton becomes the first coach to win the OCAA award twice in three years since former Humber Hawks coach Teresa Armini, who claimed back-to-back honours in 2015 and 2016.

Under Hopton's guidance, the Mountaineers posted strong results at the 2025 OCAA Championships. The men's team captured gold, winning its second title in three seasons, while the women's team earned bronze. Six Mohawk runners finished inside the top 10.

Both teams have qualified for the CCAA National Championships.

Since taking over the program in 2021, Hopton has led Mohawk to eight OCAA medals and three provincial championships. Three athletes have won individual OCAA medals during his tenure, and in 2024 the Mountaineers earned their first-ever CCAA national medal, claiming bronze in the women's race.

The 2025 CCAA Cross Country National Championships will take place Nov. 8 in Charlottetown, P.E.I., hosted by Holland College.