Cross Country - W | 12/5/2014 3:36:00 PM

BURNABY, B.C. – The Simon Fraser University men's and women's cross country teams took timeout from their preparations for Saturday's NCAA National Championships in Louisville, Kentucky, to visit with under privileged students at local middle school.
 
Students from Nativity Academy at Saint Boniface were excited to have members of the SFU cross country teams along with several other cross country teams visit their school on Friday. Clan student-athletes joined the middle school students during lunch where they had a chance to meet and share one-on-one conversations.
 
"The room was buzzing with excitement and everyone was engaged in conversation, sharing stories about their distinct backgrounds," said SFU cross country team manager and Olympian Jessica Smith. "The kids were really fascinated with Simon Fraser and wanted to know all about Canada."
 
Next, Clan athletes and students walked to the gymnasium together where they had more time to talk and students were able to ask the athletes questions about their respective schools, varsity sports, and the NCAA.
 
Simon Fraser student-athletes handed out t-shirts, cups, and stickers as well as pencils, notebooks and socks.
 
Nativity Academy is an independent Catholic middle School that transforms the lives of students who have a commitment to achievement and whose families demonstrate financial need. It has an enrollment of 2,700 with the vast majority of students and their families receiving financial assistance.