UPEI Track and Field adds Island speedster Leah Campbell

By Thomas Becker

Some of Leah Campbell's earliest memories are of family relay races on the beach. Her mother often told her that as a toddler she would "walk for just a moment before hitting the ground running," and she's been running ever since.

This season, she'll be racing at the AUS level after committing to the UPEI Track and Field team. 

Campbell, a 17-year-old sprinter with Bluefield High School, holds two Prince Edward Island School Athletic Association (PEISAA) records and hopes to bring that same level of success to UPEI. 

In 2019, Campbell set a record in the 80-metre dash with a time of 10.70 seconds. That same meet, she also set a record in the 150-metre event, crossing the finish line in 19.74 seconds. It's no wonder head coach Colin MacAdam wanted to keep the Cornwall native on home soil.

"Leah ran well in high school and we're excited to welcome her," MacAdam said. "We have no doubt she'll help us continue to improve our sprint and relay teams."

Campbell comes from a long line of athletes and it wasn't so much a question of if she would compete at the university level; it was a question of what sport.

Her grandmother was an accomplished track, volleyball and basketball athlete in Quebec, while her father competed in track on PEI and was also in the provincial soccer program. Her great uncle, David Boswell, is a member of the PEI Sports Hall of Fame for his successful career in intercollegiate sport, including track and coaching. His Island record of 49.7 seconds in the 440 yards, which he set in 1947, may still be one of the two oldest standing provincial track records.

Campbell herself is a multi-sport athlete, as she competed in basketball and soccer throughout her life. But track always had a special place in her heart.

"I was drawn to track as a sport because my grandmother always told many fascinating stories of her track career," she said. "I also loved watching races as a kid and I dreamed one day that I would participate in one."

Campbell has experience running several distances, including short track like the 60-metre and 100-metre, but as a Panther, MacAdam sees her running the 300-metre and being a pivotal piece on the 4x200-metre relay team.

The hype surrounding Campbell and her potential is similar to that of UPEI legend Bailey (Smith) MacIsaac, who put the school on the map from a track perspective. Campbell has already had the privilege of training alongside her and says she learned a lot from the future UPEI Hall of Famer.

"I did the research and was well aware of her records and success in high school and university track and I admit to being intimidated when I first met her," Campbell said.

"I remember seeing her out on the track, stretching out and thinking she looked so athletic, focused, and determined. I truly admire her talent and commitment to the sport and hope to continue to have the opportunity to learn from her. She is truly among PEI and Canada's top athletes."

With MacIsaac in the fold again as an assistant coach, Campbell will have all the tools necessary to succeed. Now it's up to her to chase those medals.