Image credit: TRU Athletics

By Larry Read - TRU Athletics

WolfPack cross country

TRU cross country program folds.

Mar 18, 2020 | 2:28 PM

KAMLOOPS — When the 2020-21 Canada West season begins in a few months, the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack will have one less program.

The WolfPack has decided not to continue its cross-country running program, effective March 20, 2020.

“This was a difficult decision to make, but we felt it was in the best interest of the athletics department at this time, as the level of investment needed to move this program forward would come at the expense of other areas of athletic program delivery and that’s not something we are able to do,” said Curtis Atkinson, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Thompson Rivers University. “I am very appreciative of the commitment and dedication shown by our cross-country student-athletes and I wish them all the very best as they move on from our program.”

Thompson Rivers University has participated in U SPORTS (then CIS) and Canada West cross country events since 2014-15. Previously, the cross-country program was involved in the PACWEST/CCAA (Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association). This past season, the WolfPack roster consisted of six women and five men.

A former NCAA Div 1 athlete, Carmin Mazzotta joined the WolfPack as an assistant under previous head coach Jack Miller during the 2014-15 season and took over as head coach the following year.

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“The WolfPack would like to thank Carmin for his hard work and effort over the past five seasons as head coach. His dedication to the program and his athletes is admirable and impressive. Carmin has been amazing to work with and I have so much respect for him,” said Atkinson. “As good a coach as he is, he is an even better person. As with our athletes, I have learned a great deal from Carmin and I am going to miss working with him. His commitment and dedication far surpass what anyone would ever expect, but he continually goes above and beyond. He is a champion in every sense of the word and we are all better for having had the opportunity to work with him.”

Says Mazzotta, “It’s been a privilege to coach such a resilient and positive group of student-athletes over the past 5+ years. When I made the decision to step down from the coaching role, it was not one I made lightly. In an ideal world, I would be handing the reigns over to a qualified and talented incoming coach. We tried diligently to find a way to make that happen. I’d like to thank Curtis Atkinson and the Athletic Department staff team for the support they gave the program over the past few years.”

Records indicate Peter Cederlof was the first cross-country athlete in school history, running for Cariboo College in 1980. The program resurrected itself in 1992-93 when Ed Baron coached the then University College of the Cariboo Sun Demons. That program ceased operation following the 1995-96 season, and was later resurrected by Jack Miller as the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack in 2009-10.