Training year round on the trails and roads surrounding Trent University's beautiful campus is something that Trent alumnus Matt Melo '19 is extremely familiar with. Representing the Green and White throughout his five-year undergraduate degree and as captain of the team over a four-year span will bring an abundance of insight to the new role as head coach of both the men's and women's Excalibur varsity cross-country teams. 

Melo, an Anthropology graduate from Trent, ran for Trent's cross-country program from 2014-2019. He has returned to the Trent Excalibur program to continue to build on the individual and team success the team has experienced while competing at the OUA Championships. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this new role having coached at the high school and club level for several years. This has aided in the development of several athletes competing and succeeding at the provincial and national level. He is an Athletics Canada trained Performance Coach in Endurance, with numerous NCCP multisport coaching education courses under his belt, and a passion for continued innovation and education in the science of the sport. He also is a graduate of the highly esteemed ALTIS Coaching Education Foundations Course and Apprenticeship Program through their world class training group based out of Phoenix, AZ.

"Being a product of this program and having so much experience working with the current coaching staff and administrators here at Trent University will allow me to deliver the best possible training and performance environment available to these athletes utilizing the fantastic athletic resources made available to us across campus." said Melo. "I'm very excited to continue on with the Trent Excalibur and start coaching at this level as I know the potential of these and future Trent Excalibur athletes to develop their athletic abilities and perform at a competitive level is very high."

Former head coach Richard Borek will continue his support for the program through remaining on the coaching staff. Outside of his 15-year tenure as head coach of the Trent Excalibur cross country program, Borek has coached on 3 Canadian national teams and +9 Ontario provincial teams during his 37 years of experience at the high school, club, and university level. His expertise in athletic coaching covers all events with national medalists in everything from throws, hurdles, and endurance events such as distance running and race walking. He is an Athletic Canada Certified Performance Coach in Endurance, as well as holding many other certifications across the event disciplines. He has also been a course instructor for Athletics Canada's coaching courses for numerous individuals who have gone on to coach for other clubs and high schools include Peterborough Legion Track and Field club among other local clubs.

Assistant coach Ross Proudfoot will also reprise his role in support of the program at large. He has brought a variety of knowledge as an elite athlete within the sport and serves as a great asset as to what it takes to be a peak performer within the Canadian university system as a former Canadian university champion and BLG award winner, as well as across numerous international opportunities representing New Balance and Athletics Canada. The multiple time national team member has moved to the Peterborough area in the past few years for work and has continued to pursue his passion with athletics whilst training alongside the group and lending a hand with his firsthand knowledge of what it takes to be at the top of the Canadian athletics scene. This will be the third year that Proudfoot has volunteered his services to the program.