Quebec Duo To Join REDS
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS men’s track and field and cross country teams are naming Quebec distance duo Alan Kearney and Zach Carter to their recruiting class of 2025.
Kearney and Carter have both signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2025-2026 Atlantic University Sport season.
“We are excited to be welcoming Alan and Zach to our program next fall,” said Chris Belof, the head coach of the REDS track and field and cross country teams. “They are both coming from a successful CEGEP program with the John Abbott College Islanders, and club team with the Club d’Athlétisme Vaudreuil-Doiron, and we’re looking forward to their immediate contribution to our men’s cross country and distance track and field groups.”
19-year-old-Kearney, of Baie Durfee, Quebec, qualified and ran in the last two editions of the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Cross Country Championships, where he was the third Islander to cross the line, and 52nd overall in 2024. Before the Islanders, Kearney was named Beaconsfield High School’s track and field and cross country most valuable player.
“I knew I wanted to go to UNB the first time I ever talked to the coach,” said Kearney. “Chris did an excellent job explaining everything to me, and how UNB worked and showed that he cared.” “I also know they have a great running team which I want to be part of,” he added. “After doing research I also found that UNB is one of the only universities in Canada that offers the program I want to do post-grad.”
Carter, of Hudson, Quebec, has run at the last two installments of the CCAA Cross Country Championships where he finished 46th overall and was recently named cross country’s most valuable player at John Abbott College for the 2024 season.
“One of the many things that made me want to commit to UNB was how much Chris cares for his athletes,” said Carter. “When I went to visit this summer, I immediately fell in love with the beautiful campus, the training facilities, and the amazing environment that is set up around the team. I can’t wait to start training with this amazing group of athletes and start racing as a UNB RED.”
Carter is looking to improve his times on the track. Long term, he sees himself on the U SPORTS podium.
The pair of 19-year-olds are in their final year of CEGEP at John Abbott College.
Both will be enrolled in Business at UNB.
STORY BY: Julia Loparco/for UNB Athletics
PHOTOS: Submitted