REDS Round Out Class Of '25
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women’s track and field and cross country teams are completing their recruiting class of 2025 with distance runners Madeline Walker, Felicia Mortimer, Caitlyn Marr, and Makaela Vanstone.
All four have signed U SPORTS Letters of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2025-2026 Atlantic University Sport season.
“Capping off a recruiting class is always an exciting time, so now the real work can begin,” said Chris Belof, the head coach of the REDS track and field and cross country teams. “All four women will add to our growing women’s distance program and complement the existing group. We’re excited to work with them and help them develop during their years as REDS.”
17-year-old Walker recently completed her Grade 12 year at Fredericton’s Leo Hayes High School.
“The coaching staff and the team environment with the REDS drew me in,” said Walker. “I was
fortunate to be able to attend some practices with the team and I enjoyed the challenge and intensity they offered. I’m also excited about UNB’s Faculty of Kinesiology, which has a great reputation for blending theory with hands-on practice.”
In 2024, Walker was the silver medalist in the New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association’s 800 and 1500 metres and was a member of a silver-medal winning team at the 2024 Athletics Canada Indoor Championships.
“I thrive in a team environment and believe that success is built through both individual effort and collective support,” she said. “I’m excited to be part of a group that pushes each other to be better.”
Walker will study Kinesiology while at UNB.
Mortimer, also 17, has completed her Grade 12 year at Rothesay Netherwood School.
“The strong coaching staff and seeing the team’s progress over the last few years is what drew me to the REDS,” said the Saint John native. “I’m also excited to train alongside some friends who are on the team.”
Mortimer was a member of New Brunswick’s last three Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships teams and claimed a bronze medal in 2023 in the medley relay. She’s also been a multi-medal winner at the Athletics Canada Indoor Championships between 2023 and 2025, having individually run to a bronze in the 800-metres. She was also part of two medal-winning 4-by-400 metre relay teams.
Mortimer’s goals are to steadily improve and contribute to the REDS distance program and make it to the U SPORTS Championships.
She’ll study Environmental Management while attending UNB.
17-year-old Vanstone, of Palgrave, Ontario, has finished her Grade 12 year at St. Michael Catholic Secondary School, in Bolton.
“Makaela comes to UNB from the Newmarket Huskies, a well-established development program in Ontario, so we’re looking forward to working with her,” said Coach Belof.
In 2024, Vanstone was crowned All-Ontario champion in the outdoor U20 5000-metres and was third in the indoor U20 3000-metres.
In cross country, she ran to a top 25 finish at the 2024 Ontario high school championships.
“As a young athlete, I grew up playing team sports, which taught me the importance of being a good teammate,” said Vanstone. “Although I am new to running, joining the Newmarket Huskies has shown me the value of running, not just for myself, but for my teammates as well.”
Vanstone will pursue a Bachelor of Arts with a focus in English while at UNB.
17-year-old Marr, of Quispamsis, New Brunswick, has graduated from Kennebecasis Valley High School.
“The opportunity to train, improve and compete with a national-level track and field team close to home appealed to me,” said Marr. “As well as the opportunity to train under a nationally and internationally recognized coach.”
Marr has been a member of the Saint John Reds Track and Field Club since she was five.
Coming from a multi-sport background, Marr has won multiple MVP awards and was a member of the 4-by-400-metre relay team that set a meet record at the 2022 Canadian Indoor Championships.
“I’ve developed a determined and dedicated spirit and will do my best to lead by example,” she said.
Marr looks forward to improving her performances and representing UNB at the U SPORTS Championships.
She’ll study Engineering at UNB.
STORY: UNB Athletics
PHOTOS: Submitted