(RDC Athletics)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

FANTASTIC FIRST-YEAR

Kings’ Cebuliak named ACAC Rookie of the Year

Apr 27, 2020 | 3:16 PM

Red Deer College’s Will Cebuliak has been named the 2019-20 ACAC Male Rookie of the Year.

Cebuliak, a Red Deer native, competed as a member of the RDC Kings Cross Country Running and Indoor Track teams.

“We were fortunate to recruit Will straight from high school,” said Kari Elliott, RDC Cross Country Running and Indoor Track Head Coach. “He was relatively new to the sport, but brought so much potential.”

A Bachelor of Arts student, Cebuliak helped the Kings earn gold at the ACAC Cross Country Championships in Calgary, finishing 8th over an eight kilometre race. The Hunting Hills grad was also named to the ACAC All-Conference team.

Cebuliak would go on to place 17th at the CCAA National Championships in Grande Prairie. From that competition, the Kings brought home bronze.

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“Will has plenty of natural talent and is meticulous in his training habits. He warms up well, shows restraint where he needs, guts it out when it counts and takes the time to cool down,” explained Elliott. “Will is a smart athlete with a lot of heart. He led with punctuality, attendance, commitment to the program and a desire to win.”

On the Indoor Track side, Cebuliak helped the Kings to first place finished at both of this season’s grand prix events.

Cebuliak (2:45.33) finished second in the 1,000 m, third (4:29.39) over 1,500 m and was a member of the second place Kings 4 x 400 m relay team (3:48.55).

Then at Grand Prix #2, he wrapped up second (1:27.17) over 600 m and third as a participant on the RDC Kings 4 x 200 m relay team (1:40.49) at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

The ACAC Championships were unfortunately cancelled due to COVID-19 before Cebuliak and the Kings had a chance to win additional hardware there.

“I expect that we will see Will continue to improve tremendously in the years to come, although we will have to watch from a distance as he is now a Golden Bear at the U of A,” said Elliott. “He will succeed at the next level and we are proud to have been part of his athletic journey.”