Jason Smith Named One of the Top 50 CCAA Cross Country Runners of All Time!
The Conestoga Condors are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievement of former runner Jason Smith, who has been named one of the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association's (CCAA) top 50 cross-country runners of all time! This prestigious honour places Jason among the most elite athletes in CCAA history, highlighting his dedication, grit, and outstanding performances during his time with the Condors from 2008 to 2010.
Reflecting on this honour, Jason shared, “It’s actually huge because it’s a total surprise... I hadn’t really thought about my running for years, so it’s just come out of nowhere. To be recognized is really cool, and I appreciate it. It shows that what you do in the past can come around, and people are inspired by it.”
Jason Smith joined the Condors in 2008, making an impact right from his rookie season. That year, he placed 7th at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Championship, helping the men’s team secure a gold medal finish. Despite a setback due to injury at the CCAA Nationals, Jason's resilience set the tone for his next two years with the Condors.
In 2009, Jason continued to shine, taking 2nd place at both the Fanshawe and St. Clair Invitationals. He capped off his impressive season by clinching the individual gold medal at the OCAA Championships and placing 4th at the CCAA Nationals, representing Conestoga with pride on the national stage.
Reflecting on his unique training approach and time on the team, Jason explained, “It was almost like a science experiment on my body... I only ran half the year, starting my training in May. It’s pretty much unheard of in athletics, but I wanted to see what I could do with very little time. Our coach supported me fully, which was great.” His commitment to improvement and his unique approach to training helped him make history for Conestoga, setting a high standard for the program.
Jason's final season with the Condors in 2010 saw him once again lead the charge, securing a gold medal at the OCAA Championships and finishing 5th at the CCAA National Championship. His competitive mindset and determination were evident as he reflected on his journey, saying, “I use sports as a metaphor for life... if you have a goal and a vision, you can really attain it if you see yourself getting that goal. I remember, before I started, I said I was going to win the Ontario championships. I had zero clue what the competition was, but I didn’t win the first year. After that, I said, ‘I’m definitely going to win the second year,’ and I did. It took an extreme amount of work, but it’s something I’ll always remember.”
Being part of the Condors also gave Jason cherished memories and lifelong friendships. He recalled, “The memories are cool because there was a good group of guys that loved to run. Traveling with them, being on the bus and in hotels together, you know, that team aspect—you can’t really replace that anywhere else.”
Director, Sport and Recreation Andrew Bates offered his congratulations by stating, “On behalf of Conestoga Athletics and Recreation, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Jason for being named one of the top 50 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Cross-Country student-athletes of all time. This prestigious recognition is a testament to the consistency of hard work, training and success he demonstrated as a Conestoga Condor. Jason's remarkable achievements, including two individual OCAA gold medals, a team gold, and two team MVP awards, have left an indelible mark on our program. We couldn’t be more proud of all he has accomplished as a Condor. Congratulations again, Jason!"
Congratulations, Jason! The Conestoga Condors are proud to call you one of our own!
