Lois and Doug Mitchell U SPORTS Athletes of the Year Awards: Max Davies, Guelph

Max Davies, a 20-year-old distance runner for the Guelph Gryphons, is the 2023-24 OUA Male Athlete of the Year and conference nominee for the Lois and Doug Mitchell Award for the U SPORTS athlete of the year.

The Management student is a standout performer with the Guelph Gryphons men’s track and field and cross-country programs. He made history in the 2023-24 season by setting two U SPORTS records at the national championship in Winnipeg. Named the U SPORTS Athlete of the Meet, Davies broke a 12-year-old record in the men’s 1000m, and the 34-year-old record in the men’s 1500m, securing his second gold medal. His third gold medal came in the men’s 4x800m relay, where he ran the anchor leg.

The Torontonian was named the U SPORTS Track Athlete of the Year, thanks to his exceptional performances throughout the 2023-24 track season. At the Penn State National Open in January, he became the 75th Canadian man to run a sub-four-minute mile, recording a University of Guelph school record time of 3:59.24.

During the fall 2023 outdoor season, he earned OUA First Team All-Star honours and U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian status, contributing significantly to Guelph’s 2023 OUA Cross Country team title.