Nominated by Coach Travis Cummings, Raimo has had an exceptional, breakout XC season this fall. As a Gr. 10 athlete (1st Year U18), he placed 6th at Athletics Alberta XC Provincial Championships Nov 4 in Wetaskiwin. Raimo also won silver for Cochrane High at ASAA High School Provincial XC Champs in Trochu Oct 21, just getting outkicked at the line. Raimo worked through a long term injury, missed most of his track season, made it back just in time for Alberta Summer Games this past July, and ran PB’s in the 1500m and 3000m. He worked tirelessly and diligently on his cross training program and came back in better shape than when he initially got injured. He carried that work ethic through the summer and has been reaping the benefits of this preparation this XC season. He contested the National Cross Country Championships with teammates Nov 25 in Ottawa, his 2nd kick at the can at this event.
Says Coach Travis “Raimo is easily one of the most respectful, inspirational young men I have ever coached. He is the oldest of 4 siblings, and when you think about what you would like a big brother to be, he is it. He has a kind heart, is empathetic, passionate, and loving to his friends and family. When it comes to performing in sport, Raimo is relentless in his pursuit of excellence. He has a great and wild spirit that rubs off on everyone he is around in a very positive manner. He is a true student of the sport of Endurance Athletics, which is a rare and refreshing quality in adolescent athletes. Raimo deserves everything he gets in the sport, and he approaches his craft with gratitude. He is always one of the first athletes to say thank you coach after practice, and he is the type of athlete that will ask adults how their day has gone; which is also one of those intangibles that not every athlete possesses. His humble and engaged approached to life is something that anyone of any age can learn something from. Our group is blessed to have him in our presence.”
Congratulations, Raimo!