The Cambrian Golden Shield cross-country team entered the fall of 2013 knowing that a period of transition lie ahead. Team leader Eric Leishman, a perennial contender for a top-ten finish at nationals, graduated last spring, making the move over to the coaching ranks.

That need was created when former coach Meghan Juuti, the dynamic bundle of energy who guided the Cambrian crew for the past four years, opted to step away, focusing on her career.

Change was inevitable. Sometimes, however, change can be good. For 22 year-old Matt Boven, a change in his school schedule has led to his emergence as the runner of note with the Golden Shield team these past six weeks.

Kept busy with a school placement in 2012 and dealing with a bum knee in 2011, Boven was hopeful of at least one season where things would come together nicely. "It's the first year that I've been able to really train with the team, to be there for every practice," noted the native of Blythe (Ontario), now in his third year at Cambrian.

The eldest of four boys in the family, Boven did not truly pick up running as an athletic option until grade seven. "I placed really well in seventh grade and then in eighth, I won my local meet, which isn't huge, but I won it, so I got more into it," he said.

That enthusiasm of taking to the track or the trails followed him througout his time at St Anne's Catholic Secondary School in Clinton, migrating from his fall cross-country season to his more passionate pursuit of the track in the spring, drawn to both the 400m and 800m races.

Still unsure of a definite career path, Boven decided to attend the University of Waterloo for a year. "I decided to study a few different courses to see what I was interested in," he said. "Nothing really grabbed my attention, other than psychology. And I was also very enthusiastic about working with youth."

A job working as a counsellor at a summer camp helped to provide direction as Boven enrolled in the Child Youth Worker program at Cambrian. After spending a full year away from running, Boven was in for an eye opener, especially under the training regimen unveiled by coach Juuti.

"It was a lot of miles my first couple of years that I wasn't used to running," he said. "Now I know what to expect, a couple of years in." And with the additional time he's been able to allocate to his workouts, the results have followed suit.

"I knew coming in that it would be a good year, or at least a year where I could actually focus on training," Boven stated. A 25th place finish at the Redeemer Invitational, site of the OCAA championships, was encouraging, as was a 31st placing at the Humber Invitational, covering the eight kilometre course in a time of 30:11.

"This year has been a lot better, by far, for my results, and every run I do seems to be getting stronger," Boven said. With the provincial championships taking place on a course know for its hilly terrain, the training for many college runners has been adjusted, at least a touch, in order to provide some form of pre-event acclimatization to what they are likely to face on October 26th in Hamilton.

"I felt really strong at the Redeemer Invitational," acknowledged Boven. "I like the variety. As for being better at hills, I'm not sure yet." Noting that he might be pursuing further education eventually, Boven said that it will not be next year, making this a final kick to remember for the young Cambrian runner.