(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds women’s track and field and cross country teams are naming their recruiting class of 2020.
The class includes Fredericton distance runner Emily Trites, thrower Hailey Gibbons, from Ottawa, Ontario, sprinter and middle-distance runner Peighton Johnson, of Baldur, Manitoba, and sprinter Carly Kazuk, of Selkirk, Manitoba.
“I'm very excited about this recruiting class. They’ll add to a very strong women's team,” said Reds head coach Chris Belof. “In addition to this group, we also have sprinter Fionnoula MaGuire, from Truro, Nova Scotia, and jumper/hurdler Sierra Sweeney, from Porters Lake, Nova Scotia, joining the team. The event range that these athletes bring will be a huge addition to our women's team, which will be looking to be one of the top two teams at the AUS Championships in 2021."
All six have signed U SPORTS Letters of Intent and will join the Reds ahead of the 2020-21 Atlantic University Sport Season.
Emily Trites
The 17-year-old Trites, a member of the Saint John Track and Field Club, joins the Reds after four years with the Fredericton High School Black Kats. She helped FHS win New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association team cross country titles in 2018 and 2019, and NBIAA team track and field championships in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Individually, she posted 2nd place finishes in the senior girls 3000 metres at the 2018 and 2019 NBIAA track and field championships, and ran to 2nd and 4th place finishes at the NBIAA cross country championships in 2018 and 2019.
Trites was a member of Team NB at the 2018 and 2019 Legion National Championships, where she ran to an 8th place finish in the 3000 metres in 2018, and a 10th place in 2019.
“Even though it’s largely an individual sport, there is great team comradery,” said Trites. “The team seems very close and gets along well. A short-term goal of mine would be top three finishes at the AUS championships. Longer-term, I’d like to be top 50 at U SPORTS.”
At the 2018 Atlantic indoor track and field championships, Trites won the junior girls 800 metres.
"We are very excited to add Emily to our women's distance program,” said Belof. “She’s a dedicated and talented athlete, and will have an immediate impact on both our cross country and track programs. Emily has demonstrated success at all levels of our sport, medaling both provincially, and regionally. Her experience on the national stage will be a huge asset to our group.”
Trites will study Kinesiology while attending UNB.
Hailey Gibbons
A veteran member of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club, Gibbons brings considerable experience to the Reds throwing contingent.
Completing her Grade 12 year at Ottawa’s St. Mother Teresa High School, Gibbons placed 5th in discus and 8th in hammer throw at the 2018 Athletics Ontario U18 Championships, and 5th in both discus and hammer throw at the 2018 Quebec Championships.
Her current personal bests in the shot put and weight throw would’ve given her top six finishes at the 2020 AUS Track and Field Championships.
“What appealed to me about UNB is how the Reds have shown consistently strong results at the AUS Championships,” said Gibbons. “My goal, as a Red, is to become one of the top throwers in the AUS and a strong competitor at the U SPORTS level.”
"Hailey is an accomplished thrower with experience in both weight and shot put,” said Belof. “She’ll add to an already accomplished group of men and women in our throws program. We are extremely excited to see Hailey continue her progress as a Red."
Gibbons will enter UNB’s Faculty of Arts.
Peighton Johnson
Johnson comes to the Reds as a five-time Manitoba High School Athletic Association sprint medalist.
Completing her Grade 12 year at Baldur High School, where she’s twice been named Female Athlete of the Year, Johnson is a veteran member of the Prairie Storm Athletics club. She’s competed for Team Manitoba at the Western Canadian Challenges in 2017, 2018, and 2019. In 2020, she was chosen to represent Manitoba at the Simplot Games, in Idaho. Johnson has also competed at the Canadian Legion Championships.
“I’d like to contribute to the success of the relay programs and help the teams medal at the AUS Championships,” said Johnson. “My long-term goal is to be the top middle-distance runner in the AUS.”
Johnson, who’ll study Kinesiology, said UNB’s facilities were a major attraction.
“The new Kinesiology building and strong program really stood out to me,” she said. “I’ll have all the resources I need to be extremely successful throughout my degree and beyond.”
"Peighton will be an important part of our relay program and longer sprints program,” said Belof. “She’s a high-character individual that brings a strong worth ethic and outstanding attitude. She’s been a provincial and regional medalist, and her experience at the national youth level will be invaluable to our women's team. "
Johnson will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology while attending UNB.
Carly Kazuk
At the 2019 Manitoba High School Athletic Association track and field championships, Kazuk, who at the time was coming off a hip injury, finished 2nd in the 60 and 200 metres, and was a member of the gold medal winning team in the 4 by 200 metre relay.
Finishing her Grade 12 year at Selkirk’s Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School, Kazuk was also part of the group that earned the bronze medal in the 4 by 100 metre relay.
“As an athlete, I’m always looking for ways to get better,” said Kazuk. “I’m determined and extremely dedicated, and am eager to hear the feedback the coaches will give me.”
"Carly is a talented athlete that comes from a great development program,” said Belof. “Her abilities over the short and long sprints will be an immediate contributor to our women's relays. Carly's hard work and dedication to her craft have allowed her to see success in both sport and academics. She has a high ceiling, and we are extremely excited to see her continue to progress in the coming years."
Kazuk will study Psychology while attending UNB.