McMaster 2012 Graduates - Part 1

Read Part 2, and Part 3

Exams are done. These are happy times as students are allowed outside for the first time in months to see sunlight. Sunscreen is important to those of you that have spent your time locked in basements studying. Most students are in that lovely time period between the end of school and the start of work, and of course preparations for the outdoor track season.

However, things are not all rosy, and now we must say tearful goodbyes to our graduates as they move on to the next stage in their lives. It is with heavy hearts that we say farewell to the following athletes that left lasting impacts on our cross country and track teams.

Graham Bowes 

Editors Comments: Graham tried out for the team in his first year, but missed the standard. Fast forward to his final year, Bowes lead the Marauders at the cross country OUA and CIS championships with a 19th and 21st place. Graham showed dominance on the track solidifying himself as one of Mac's all-time greats as the 3rd fastest Marauder ever over 1500m (3:52.69), and 2nd fastest over 3000m (8:22.93). That fast 3000m secured his spot at the 2012 CIS indoor championships (the first individual male qualifier since 2009). While there he kicked down Vikes distance standout Clifford Childs for 7th place. Safe to say Graham is no longer that mediocre first year who couldn't make the team standard. No, Graham Bowes is King. Lizard King.
Sport 
XC/Track
What are you graduating from?     
Commerce
What doing next year?     
Supply Chain Management - Maple Leaf Foods
Running plans next year?
TBD 
Favourite part of Mac experience
Chicago Trips, gentleman's nights, cross CI's 
Most memorable race 
1500m at the 2012 Hal Brown. Came up just short of CIS standard, but ran the most focused race of my life (props to Ticer for pacing)
Words of wisdom for rookie's or recruits? 
What you do in your off time has consequenses, eat well and get rested
How being a part of McMaster XC/Track has enhanced your university experience? 
Diversifies the stressors in life, adds perspective to the university experience. You always benefit from surrounding yourself with good people.
Thanks to:
Obviously coaches, for tirelessly digging for the full potential of every athlete

Tristan Sandhu

Editors Comments:  Tristan joined the team in his first year in 2008, and despite an unfortunate habit of entering triathlons, he's a pretty awesome person. In fact he is recognized as being one of the nicest people on the team. Knowing this and using it to his full advantage, Tristan has been known to enjoy pranking teammates, because Tristan wouldn't lie. Would he?
Sport 
XC/Track
What are you graduating from?     
Kinesiology
What doing next year?     
Two Options: Ottawa/York For Teachers College or York/MRU (in Calgary) for Athletic Therapy (still waiting to hear back if I am accepted into AT)
Running plans next year
TBD: Get Injury free first, Then use my last year of eligibility Fall 2013 hopefully, then slowly transitioning to traithlons 
Favourite part of Mac experience 
Long bus rides with the team. Trips to MTL, Chicago. Cranking out hard workouts and feeling great after
Most memorable race 
2011 OUAs 3000m, setting a PB while racing hard
Words of wisdom for rookie's or recruits? 
Take advantage of the facilities and trails (physio, pool etc)  
How being a part of McMaster XC/Track has enhanced your university experience? 
It was by far the best part of my university experience. Ill look back on these 4 years and wont remember a single thing I learned in class, but Ill always have the memories and comradery of being apart of a special group.
Thanks to 
Pete, Paula, Rory and everyone on the team. Also the entire McMaster Athletic department, I really value their (coaching included) vision to strive for excellance. 
Additional Comments
Sadly, Ill be racing in another teams singlet. Its going to kill me a little. 

Jill Wyman

Editors Comments: Jill graduates this year, but thankfully she's back next year to start her Masters and finish off her last year of eligibility. We'll praise her more next year after she completes her storied career in the Maroon and Grey.
Sport
XC/Track
What are you graduating from?     
H. Earth and Environmental Science
What doing next year?     
MSc in geochemistry at McMaster!
Running plans next year 
Triathlon, swim/xc/track
Favourite part of Mac experience 
Long runs with friends OR hard intervals with teammates to push :)
Most memorable race 
OUA 1000m 2009 (track), CIS Quebec City 2008 (xc)
Words of wisdom for rookie's or recruits? 
Appreciate and make use of the coaches' flexibility and empathy
How being a part of McMaster XC/Track has enhanced your university experience? 
Varsity teams provide a foundation for lasting friendships, adherence to a schedule, opportunity to discover yourself, continuous and varied challenges, and a chance to embrace your individuality. Mac xc and track undoubtedly added an entire dimension to my undegrad experience.
Thanks to 
Paula, Pete, Rory - this coaching team is unlike any other and each one offers something different and wholly valuable. Jeff Giles and Athletics Admin - for your support, belief, and motivation, all necessary to the team's success and evolution.
Additional comments 
I am excited to close out my varsity years the same way it started, as a McMaster Marauder!

Andrew Yorke

Editors Comments: Though not quite graduating yet (he'll get there don't rush him), Andrew Yorke has finished his eligibility and sadly will no longer dawn the Maroon and Grey. Instead he'll shift to the lighter colours of Red and White. Yorke has been a fixture at the top of the McMaster squad in his 5 years, despite his intensely competitive triathlon seasons. 21st at CIS cross in 2010, and 3rd Marauder all-time in the 3000m (8:31.84). He's also affectionately known as Dad amongst his teammates. And although the title may have been self-assigned, it is entirely adequate. Yorke frequently sits down with everyone of his teammates individually and has one of his typical Dad conversations. He'll hear out your problems and then offer you advice on things from race strategy to training, from beetroot intake to party limiting, from cooking to relationships. His leadership on the course will be sorely missed, but much more so will be his leadership off the course. Luckily he'll be hanging around for at least one more year.
Sport 
XC/Track
What are you graduating from?     
Honours History 2013 Fall Semester (I swear I won't take any longer!)
What doing next year?     
I will be taking a year off to compete as a professional triathlete while acting as assistant to the assistant coach of the Mac XC team.
Running plans next year 
Compete in Olympic Distance Triathlon as part of the Canadian National Team. Improve my 5k and run under 30 mins for 10k
Favourite part of Mac experience 
Watching my teammates succeed in sport, school and life. Knowing that I am a part of an genuinely amazing group of people!
Most memorable race 
9th OUA XC Champs 2011. Knowing that I got to run in Larry Abbott's final season made that my most memorable year.
Words of wisdom for rookie's or recruits? 
Buy in to the team philosophy and train hard year round! Listen and ask questions to teammates and coaches, don't be intimidated - we want to see you achieve your personal best!
How being a part of McMaster XC/Track has enhanced your university experience? 
Everything about my university experience is tied into the team. I couldn't imagine what my McMaster career would've been like without the guidance of my teammates and coaches. I'll never forget my experiences living in the track-shack with the boys and all of the trips to cities across North America. This team has challenged me to become a more accountable student and made me value hard work over material success.
Thanks to 
Coach Sneyd, Schnurr and Self - you are not just great coaches, you are amazing people! To all those I lived with over 4 years - The Lost Boys of the Castle, the Shitty Pines Crew, The Eagles Nest. Thanks to the women's team for putting up with Prankwars as well our bad taste in haircuts and facial hair. All the parents,cheerios and alumni that come out to make sure we feel at home even when we're hours away!
Additional comments
If you are contemplating running at McMaster - DO IT! R & P