Colin-Morse Named To Athletics Canada Team
(FREDERICTON, NB) Like a lot of university students, Silas Conlin-Morse is going to Europe this summer.
But he’s not going to see the sights or soak in the culture, he’s going to train and compete.
About to begin his third season as a member of the REDS men’s cross country and track & field teams, Conlin-Morse has been named to Athletics Canada’s 2026 NextGen European Tour team.
He’ll spend two weeks in an international camp and competition block designed to put 28 of Canada’s rising track & field stars in the middle of the European season, under pressure, and surrounded by world-class competition.
“Being named to the Next Gen team is very exciting,” said Conlin-Morse. “Being able to train and compete in a national team setting is a very important opportunity for my development as an athlete.”
In his first two seasons as a RED, Conlin-Morse has been nothing short of impressive.
In 2024-25, he ran to a fourth-place finish at the Atlantic University Sport men’s cross country championship, earning conference Rookie of Year honours.
At the AUS track & field championships later that season, he helped the REDS win gold in the men’s 4-by-800-metre relay and earned a bronze medal in the men’s 1500-metres.
In his second season, Conlin-Morse ran to the silver medal in the AUS cross country championship race. At the AUS track & field championships, he helped UNB repeat as 4-by-800-champs and earned silver in the 1500-metres.
At the 2026 U SPORTS track & field championships, he ran the anchor leg in UNB’s historic gold medal performance in the 4-by-800-metres and earned a bronze medal in the 1500-metres.
“I’m excited for Silas,” said Chris Belof, head coach of the REDS’ cross country and track & field teams. “This will be his first national team appearance and another step in his athletic career toward the ultimate goal of competing at the highest level and exploring how far he can go in the sport.”
His 2026 outdoor season has seen Conlin-Morse make considerable gains. He’s consistently lowered his times and recently ran to an 8th place finish in the senior men’s 1500-metres at the national track & field championships, in Ottawa. Conlin-Morse was the youngest runner in that field.
“Silas has had some outstanding performances this outdoor season and his selection to this national team is a testament to those results and his progression from last year,” said Coach Belof.
From July 1st to 12th, Conlin-Morse and the other members of the NextGen team will be based in Stuttgart, Germany, at the Olympic Training Centre, a high-performance environment used regularly by Athletics Canada, and one that will put them in the middle of the action.
They’ll train daily and travel to targeted meets across Europe where they’ll face competitive fields and get real experience against international opposition.
Athletics Canada says this experience won’t be ‘almost’ like the real thing, not a simulation. They say it will be the real thing.
“I hope to gain valuable experience and skills from the competitive setting, while also having the opportunity to improve my times during races,” said Conlin-Morse.
Both Conlin-Morse and Coach Belof acknowledge that the benefits go well beyond improving race times. They believe there are tangible benefits for UNB and the track & field and cross country programs.
“The impact of Silas being a part of this national team is incredibly valuable to our program, the province and the Atlantic region,” said Belof. “We place a high value on the outdoor season and the national team opportunities through both U SPORTS and Athletics Canada. Silas being named to this team is exciting for our program and it will help to continue to support the culture of our team.”
For Conlin-Morse, his successes as a RED have established his potential.
The summer tour with the NextGen group will challenge him to turn that potential into performance and future possibilities.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS
PHOTO: Univ. of Manitoba Athletics/for U SPORTS