Andrew Coates is proving to be a force on both sides of the border.

The former University of Windsor Lancers distance running star, who now attends the University of Michigan at Dearborn, strode to victory in record time last Saturday in the men's eight-kilometre race at the National Intercollegiate Running Club Association national championships in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Coates, a graduate of Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Newmarket, won the race in a time of 24 minutes and 55 seconds, for a four-second margin of victory ahead of Clemson University's Wallace Campbell.

Hurricanes, Tigers hit â?¨road for Jr. A contests

It's two for the road today as the Newmarket Hurricanes and Aurora Tigers return to Junior A hockey action.

The Hurricanes hope to add to their lead atop the Central Canadian Hockey League when they travel to Chesswood Arena to face the Toronto Junior Canadiens in a 7:30 p.m. start. It is the first meeting of the season between the teams.

Meanwhile, the Aurora Tigers are in Huntsville for a 3 p.m. clash with the Otters.

The Tigers will have payback on their minds after Huntsville erased a five-goal deficit for a 6-5 overtime victory Oct. 25 in Aurora.

Boxla Saintsâ?¨need off-floor help

The Newmarket Saints are coming off a successful season on the lacrosse floor. Now, the goal is to start scoring with public support behind the scenes.

With that in mind, the Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior B franchise is inviting you to become involved with the team and attend its annual meeting Tuesday night at the Ray Twinney Complex.

The focus of the recruiting drive is to add to game-day operations staff.

"The success of this team has been in its volunteers," co-owner and director Jack Hurst said. "We want to try and get more people involved because that's how successful programs are run. We're just asking people to come out and see what we're about."

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the lounge area of Rink 1.

The Saints, who posted a 16-win season in a 20-game schedule, advanced to the second round of the OLA playoffs before bowing aside at the hands of the Halton Hills Bulldogs, are preparing for their third season since relocating from Scarborough in 2008.

Log on to newmarketsaintslacrosse.com for additional information.

York Simcoe Expressâ?¨grads on Team Ontario

First overall Ontario Hockey League draft pick Daniel Catenacci leads a trio of graduates from the York Simcoe Express hockey program on the Team Ontario roster for the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Timmins Dec. 29 to Jan. 4.

Catenacci, a Newmarket resident has two goals and eight assists in 24 games for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds this season.

The roster was announced Wednesday and also includes defenceman Ryan Murphy, the third player chosen overall in the 2009 OHL draft by the Kitchener Rangers, and forward Barclay Goodrow, selected by the Brampton Battalion with the 17th pick. Both players reside in Aurora.

Also chosen for the squad is Woodbridge resident Lucas Lessio, a member of the St. Michael's Buzzers of the Central Canadian Hockey League.

- John Cudmore