REDS Adding Distance Duo
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS men’s track and field and cross country teams are naming distance runners Silas Conlin-Morse, of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and Brodie Pennie, of Manitowaning, Ontario, to their recruiting class of 2024.
Both have signed U SPORTS Letters of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2024-2025 Atlantic University Sport season.
“We’re very excited about Brodie and Silas joining us in the fall,” said Chris Belof, the head coach of the REDS track and field and cross country teams. “Silas is one of the top men’s distance athletes in the Atlantic region and we see him as an immediate contributor, and Brodie is coming from a great high school program and will be a tremendous addition to our men’s group.”
The 18-year-old Conlin-Morse is completing his Grade 12 year at Nova Scotia’s Horton High School.
Pennie, 17, will graduate from Manitoulin Secondary School, on the M’Chigeeng First Nation, in June.
“When I visited UNB I was impressed by the new Kinesiology Building, I also enjoyed the small town feel of the campus,” said Pennie. “On the athletic side of things, I enjoyed meeting members of the team as well as the coaches. The team pride and support that UNB offers caught my attention and I look forward to being part of the REDS.”
“The coaching staff, winning culture, and the idea of being on one of the fastest improving teams in U SPORTS appealed to me,” said Conlin-Morse. “The training facilities and greater Fredericton area are a great place for a runner.”
Coming from a multisport background, Conlin-Morse was a bronze medallist at the 2022 Canada Summer Games in sailing and was the 2022 and 2023 School Sport Nova Scotia senior boy’s cross country champion. On the track, he was the Nova Scotia high school champion over 400-metres in 2022 and 2023, the 2023 800-metre champ, and Horton High’s senior boy’s cross country and track and field MVP.
“As an athlete, I bring a competitive and driven personality to any team I’m a part of,” he said. “I’m always trying to improve and be the best athlete and person I can be.”
Pennie has been a competitor at the Ontario Federation of School Athletics Association’s track and field finals the past few years, an accomplishment in itself. In 2023, he finished 19th in the 1500-metres and 20th in the 3000.
“Brodie will make an immediate impact on our men’s cross country and distance group and comes to UNB with a very high ceiling for growth,” said Coach Belof.
Pennie aspires to be competitive in the AUS and help the REDS achieve national success.
Conlin-Morse says his goals with the REDS are to play a key role on both teams and be in competition for national championships for years to come.
Pennie and Conlin-Morse will study Kinesiology while attending UNB.
STORY: UNB Athletics
PHOTOS: Conlin-Morse Photo – Brian Taylor Photography
Pennie Photo - Submitted