UPEI Cross Country lands five recruits

By Thomas Becker

UPEI's cross-country program is pleased to welcome five new recruits to the team for the 2023–24 season: Maria Austen and Anna Harris on the women's side, and Baley Wolfe, Max MacIsaac, and Jacob Dalton on the men's side. 

Head coach Mike Peterson is confident the new team members can help the program now and into the future. The program has taken massive strides in recent years, but Peterson says there's still much more to accomplish. His goal is to continue the upward trajectory of the past couple of years and eventually carry a banner back to UPEI.  

Last season, the team hosted its first-ever Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Cross Country Championships and celebrated an all-star, Katie Richard, for just the second time in program history. In 2021, Paige Chisholm placed third at the AUS championships and was named an all-star.  

Austen, from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, placed ninth at the 2019 Maine Cross Country Festival of Champions. She was also a key runner for her high school team—Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School—that captured provincial banners in 2019, 2022, and 2023. 

Harris, from Souris, Prince Edward Island, joins the team after placing seventh at the PEI School Athletic Association (PEISAA) Cross Country Championships. She also impressed in track and field, where she finished first in the 3000-metre and second in the 800-metre events. 

Wolfe, from Onslow Mountain, Nova Scotia, was a top-five runner at the provincial level for the Cobequid Education Centre Cougars. He also helped the track and field team capture a provincial banner and was later named the school's Male Athlete of the Year.  

MacIsaac, from Charlottetown, joins UPEI after graduating from Colonel Gray High School, where he finished on the podium each year. This past season, MacIsaac won silver at the PEISAA Cross Country Championships and helped the Colonels capture a provincial title. 

Dalton, also from Charlottetown, rounds out the 2023–24 recruitment class. The 18-year-old runner won a provincial banner with Charlottetown Rural in 2021.

MARIAH AUSTEN

Age: 18

Hometown: Antigonish, NS

School: Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School

Program: Pre-Vet

Coach's Quote: "Mariah is very talented and was impressive during the workout on her visit. She will push for a spot in our top three."

Why UPEI?: "I decided to join UPEI for its excellent reputation in the field of veterinary medicine, and to study in a smaller school that allows for closer connections with those around you." 

ANNA HARRIS

Age: 18

Hometown: Souris, PE

School: Souris Regional High School

Program: Biology

Coach's Quote: "Anna is a well-rounded athlete with all kinds of ability. She's relatively new to running but could make an impact sooner rather than later."

Why UPEI?: "I'm excited to train and run with UPEI next fall because they have a strong running program and a skilled group of coaches and runners."

BALEY WOLFE

Age: 18

Hometown: Onslow Mountain, NS

School: Cobequid Education Centre

Program: Kinesiology

Coach's Quote: "Baley has all kinds of potential. He ran 17 flat at the Nova Scotia High School Provincial Championships, and also showed range as he ran the 800-metre in track and field."

Why UPEI?: "I decided to join UPEI because of the courses they offer, and the small university feel. Also, the cross country team was very welcoming when I came for the recruitment weekend."

MAX MACISAAC

Age: 18

Hometown: Charlottetown, PE

School: Colonel Gray

Program: Psychology

Coach's Quote: "Max has been one of the top distance runners in PEI over last few years. He's also a Canada Games athlete in track and triathlon and still learning and growing in the sport. He could be very good for us."

Why UPEI?: "I decided to join UPEI because I'm very excited about the improvement and upswing the track and field and cross country teams are taking. On the men's side, I'm excited to join a team-first atmosphere where I'll have talented teammates to train alongside."

JACOB DALTON

Age: 18

Hometown: Charlottetown, PE

School: Charlottetown Rural

Program: Kinesiology

Coach's Quote: "Jacob's a bit of a project. He dealt with a serious injury this year but is starting to round into form. He'll certainly add depth to our group."

Why UPEI?:  "UPEI appealed to me because of the positive environment created by the athletes and the coaches. I know I have more potential to show and I believe this team can help me get there."