(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds men’s track and field and cross country teams are naming their recruiting class of 2020.

The class includes middle distance runners William Watts, of Kentville, Nova Scotia, and Sam Cadrain, of Welsford, Nova Scotia, jumper Darian Dobrescu, of Brandon, Manitoba, and distance runner Jared Howse, of Red Deer, Alberta.

All four have signed U SPORTS Letters of Intent and will join the Reds ahead of the 2020-21 Atlantic University Sport cross country and track and field seasons.

‘Our coaching staff is excited about this incoming group,” said Reds head coach Chris Belof. “They fit exactly what we’re looking for, strong athletes with equally strong academic interests. It’s exciting to have a group this talented to add to our men’s team as we chase an AUS team title.”

William Watts

The 18-year-old Watts is coming off an impressive high school running career that saw him capture individual provincial championship silver and bronze medals in the 1500 metres in 2018 and 2019 respectively. In 2018, Watts was a member of the Northeast Kings Education Centre team that won the Nova Scotia high school cross country championship.

At the 2017 Atlantic track and field championships, Watts earned the bronze medal in the 1500 metres.

“UNB appealed to me both as a runner and a student,” said Watts. “It has an excellent reputation in academics, and the success of the track and field and cross country teams in the past years made my decision to attend UNB easy.”

Watts was the Northeast Kings Education Centre’s junior male athlete of the year in 2017, and earned cross country’s coaches award and track and field’s ‘Triple A’ award in 2019.

“In my first year, I’d like to make an impact on both the cross country and track and field teams, and contribute to their success. Long-term, I’d like to earn medals at future AUS championships.”

“William is very talented and has a huge ceiling,” said Belof. “He will be a key contributor to our men’s program both on the track and in cross country.”

Watts will study Science while attending UNB.

Sam Cadrain

Cadrain comes to the Reds having captured the silver medal in the 1500 metres (intermediate division) at the 2019 Nova Scotia high school track and field championships.

He earned silver medals in the U17 1500 and 3000 metres at the 2018 Atlantic indoor club track and field championships, and silver medals in the U16 1200 and 2000 metres at the 2017 Athletics Nova Scotia outdoor club championships.

A veteran member of the Valley Athletics Track Club, Cadrain is finishing his Grade 12 year at West Kings District High School.

“The team environment is one I can see myself developing in as an athlete, and contributing to the group’s success,” said Cadrain. “My goal is to compete at AUS championships and help the Reds win AUS team titles. I want to put the Reds on the map at the U SPORTS level.”

“Sam will be a big contributor to our men’s distance group, both on the track and in cross country,” said Belof. “Sam has shown that his abilities will fit very well with our training system, which demands a lot from first year athletes. We’re expecting Sam to contribute immediately, and in the coming years.”

Cadrain will study Engineering while attending UNB.

Darian Dobrescu

The 17-year-old competes in long jump, triple jump, and pole vault.

Completing his Grade 12 year at Brandon’s Vincent Massey High School, he’s spending the 2019-20 season as a member of the Winnipeg Optimist Athletics track and field club.

Dobrescu is a seven-time medallist in indoor and outdoor long and triple jump competition.

“I’m excited about competing for the Reds,” said Dobrescu. “I’m a hard-working, motivated athlete. I want to achieve personal bests and help the Reds by winning.”

“Darian comes from a great development program that has set him up to flourish at the next level,” said Coach Belof. “His background in triple jump, long jump and pole vault make for him to be a big contributor to our men’s team. He’s going help strengthen an already strong jumps group.”

Dobrescu will enter the Faculty of Arts in his first year at UNB.

Jared Howse

Finishing his Grade 12 year at Red Deer’s St. Joseph High School, Howse is a veteran of the Red Deer Titans Track and Field Club.

He’s been a member of Team Alberta at recent regional and national competitions.

At the 2020 Alberta indoor track and field championships, Howes won the 1500 metres and earned a silver medal in the 3000 metres.

In 2019, he won gold in the U18 steeplechase at the Canadian Legion national championships, and earned bronze in the 3000 metres. At the national cross country championships, he helped Team Alberta to a bronze medal. At the provincial indoor track and field championships, he won the 1500 and 3000 metres. At the provincial outdoor championships, Howes won the 3000 metres and 2000 metre steeplechase.

His resume features a number of other top three finishes in provincial, regional, and national competitions, as well as individual awards.

“I can race tactically and adapt my strategy in races, which has allowed me to succeed at the provincial and national level,” said Howes. “My short-term goal is to medal at the AUS level. Long-term, I want to medal at the U SPORTS level.”

“Jared has demonstrated that he can perform at every level in our sport,” said Belof. “His national youth medals are a testament to his talent and diligent work ethic. His development has been outstanding, and we’re excited to see him to contribute to our program and reach new heights in the coming years.”

Howes will study Computer Science while attending UNB.