(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women’s track and field team is naming combined events athlete Juliana Crocker to their recruiting class of 2023.
Crocker, from Brandon, Manitoba, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2023-2024 Atlantic University Sport season.
“Juliana is a huge talent and comes from a great development school and club in Manitoba,” said Chris Belof, head coach of the REDS track and field and cross country teams. “Her ceiling is very high and she has a huge range of abilities that make her perfect for the combined events”.
“I knew I would find my place at UNB after I visited, the environment is outstanding,” said Crocker. “I joined the team for a practice, and I already felt like I was part of the team. Everyone was so welcoming. The opportunities I will get there and the relationship I developed with Coach Belof really drew me to the REDS. UNB will be a great place to reach my full potential.”
The 17-year-old is finishing her Grade 12 year at Brandon’s Vincent Massey High School.
In her Grade 11 year, Crocker set a provincial record in the pentathlon, and won the 4-by-100 metre relay alongside her teammates.
In 2022, Crocker was named to Team Manitoba for the Tri-Province Championships, as well as the provincial team for the Canadian Legion Championships.
“I’ve gotten to where I am under conditions that are less than ideal,” said Crocker. “I only started training with a club this fall and have to drive two hours to train at a facility, so I’m devoted to the sport and to growing as an athlete and contributing to my team to the best of my ability,” she added.
“We see Juliana as someone who’ll contribute to both the combined events and individual events,” said Coach Belof. “She fits our program culture of high academic and athletic goals, and we expect Juliana to contribute at the AUS level immediately and U SPORTS levels in years to come.”
Crocker says her short-term goal with the REDS is to contribute to a top team finish at the AUS Championships, with long-term plans on working towards a top finish at the U SPORTS level.
Crocker will study Criminology while attending UNB.
PHOTOS: Submitted