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University of New Brunswick

Men's Track & FIeld Announce New Recruit - Joshua Shanks

Men's Track & FIeld Announce New Recruit - Joshua Shanks
February 17, 2014

The University of New Brunswick Varsity Red's Track & Field and Cross-Country teams have taken a major step forward this week as head coach Jason Reindl is pleased announced the commitment of distance runner Joshua Shanks (Chance Harbour, NB) to join the VREDS in the fall of 2014.

Shanks  who will graduate from Saint John High School later this year is coming off an amazing 2013.  Last year Joshua broke the New Brunswick youth 3000m record last year in a time of 8:31.51s.  This time was not only the fastest in Canada for youth boys (age 16-17) but also qualified Shanks to attend the 2013 World Youth Championships that were held in Donetsk, Ukraine as part of Team Canada.  At the championships Joshua was the only North American athlete to qualify for the finals where he would go on to finish 12th.
 
Shanks, who also competes for the Saint John Track Club where he has amassed numerous national medals, provincial records, personal bests, will continue working with his club coach, Bill MacMackin who is already an assistant coach with the VREDS. 
 
"I am really excited about being a part of this growing team. Over the last few years there has been a lot of work done to improving the track and field and cross country programs at this university. I feel that there is a positive training and learning environment that I as an individual was looking for in a school.  UNB will allow me to take my education and competition to the next level," said Shanks.
 

In 2013 Josh achieved the following:

  • 12th at the World Youth Championships in the 3000m.
  • #1 ranking in Canada for youth at the 3000m distance.
  • #1 ranking for youth in New Brunswick in the 1500m, 3000m, and #2 in the 800m
  • 1 gold (3000m) and 2 silver (800m, 1500m) at the NBIAA Championships.
  • Gold medalist the NBIAA Cross-Country Championships
  • 2013 Athletics New Brunswick Youth male athlete of the year
  • 2013 Presidents award winner as the top U18 male athlete in New Brunswick (all sports)
 "Everyone at UNB is extremely happy that Josh will be joining us in the fall.  Our team has taken huge strides in only four years of being back at the CIS level and for an athlete of Josh's calibre to choose UNB shows that we are moving in the right direction.  I have had the pleasure of watching Josh train and compete for a few years now and by brining his achievements, work ethic, desire to compete, and camaraderie with teammates to UNB our team just got a whole lot better," said head coach Jason Reindl.
 
Joshua plans on studying Sciences in the fall on the Saint John campus of UNB. 
 
For more information please contact Jason Reindl - jasonreindl@me.com (506-343-2149)