41 athletes have been nominated to represent Canada at the 2019 Summer Universiade

OTTAWA – Athletics Canada announced today the 41 athletes who have been nominated to represent Canada at the 2019 Summer Universiade (FISU). The bi-annual World University Games will celebrate its 30th anniversary from July 3-14 in Napoli, Italy – six decades after the inaugural event in Torino – and will feature nearly 9,300 athletes and delegates from 128 countries.

Of the 14 men and 27 women set to compete in athletics, only four participated in the 2017 Summer Universiade that was held in Taipei City, Taiwan, making this the first FISU experience for the vast majority of the team. Canadian student-athletes will step on to the track in 26 different events ranging from the 100-metre sprint to the 10,000-metre race, 12 athletes will compete in field events ranging from the long jump to javelin throw, two will take part in the heptathlon and one the half marathon.

Among those competing will be University of Saskatchewan Huskie standout Courtney Hufsmith. Scheduled to take part in the 1500-metre race, Hufsmith enters the summer season after an outstanding indoor slate that saw her help the Huskie women to a Canada West championship and second-place finish in the nation.

“The competition within Athletics Canada is tough, with so many athletes going south to NCAA schools and the many U SPORTS all-stars that compete in Canada, it is not easy to get named to a team like this,” said Huskies head coach Jason Reindl.

The product of Saskatoon compiled five medals between the conference and national championship meets, including Canada West gold in both the 1500- and 3000-metre races as well as a national silver in the 1500-metre.

In just her third year with the team, Hufsmith currently holds the all-time Huskie record over both 1500- and 3000-metres.

“Between Courtney and coach Jamie Epp, her development is progressing rapidly but at same time following a well thought-out plan,” said Reindl. “This is certainly a feather in their cap as well as ours, to say that we here at Huskie Athletics can help develop athletes of this caliber.”

A veteran on the team having competed at the last two Summer Universiades, Brittany Crew says “my goal for FISU is to leave Italy with another gold medal. I want to put Canada on the map internationally in women’s shot put and I will not stop until I get there. It would be amazing to share the podium with my friend and teammate, Sarah Mitton, this year.”

Crew was one of three Canadians across all sports to reach the podium two years ago in Taipei. “With FISU one month before the Pan American Games, it will provide me, as well as the entire team, with a great international experience, especially with the high-level competition that the event is known for,” said Crew. “It’s basically a mini Olympics, but features student-athletes who are all under the age of 26. In my experience, it is the largest multi-sport competition next to the Olympic Games and the atmosphere is always unreal.”

Coming off a fantastic 2019 U SPORTS campaign, 800-metre specialist Jenna Westaway looks to continue her winning ways in Napoli. “The 2019 Summer Universiade is a fantastic venue for Team Canada to experience international championship racing leading into 2020. I’m going to make the most of that opportunity,” said Westaway. “I came away from FISU in 2017 disappointed, but with a better understanding of the ins and outs of Major Games. Since then I’ve moved into new space; I have the experience of Taipei and the 2018 World Championships with me, and I’m coming off of my most successful indoor season to date. I’ll be racing with the intent of moving through rounds and deep into the final. I can’t imagine a more meaningful way to have had my U SPORTS career come to an end. The 2019 Universiade team is just an absolute joy to be a part of.”

When asked what it’s like to represent Canada, Westaway added “when you wear the flag on the race line, no matter where you are in the world, you feel the support of an entire country. To me, the Maple Leaf stands for something that extends beyond nationalism; it represents the people who are behind me, supporting me every step of the way.”

Athletics competition will take place at San Paolo Stadium with qualification rounds scheduled for July 9-11 and finals on July 12-13.

The athletics team nominated to represent Canada at 2019 Summer Universiade includes:

*Represented Canada at the 2017 Summer Universiade