The SFU Clan track and field and cross country teams signed six dynamic student-athletes during the early signing period.
Liam Foster of Pitt Meadows and Zack Kuzyk of Maple Ridge are among them, having chosen to join Canada’s NCAA team next fall.
The six early signees will form the core of the 2017 recruiting class, said coach Brit Townsend.
A cross country star, Foster and his new teammate Dawson Ribeiro have crossed paths once or twice.
In October 2016, Foster edged Ribeiro in the 6,300m run to take top spot at the 2016 Fraser Valley Cross Country Championships.
They teamed up at the 2016 Canadian National Cross Country Championships, where the two powered Team B.C. to silver.
On the track, the Pitt Meadows secondary star excels in the 1,500m and 3,000m races, with personal bests of 4:13.92 and 9:31.65, respectively.
“Liam is an exciting up-and-comer in the distances and I am certain he will make an immediate impact on our program,” said Townsend. “He’s an honour roll student every year with plans to pursue a degree in English.”
Kuzyk is the lone field specialist in the Clan’s 2017 recruiting class to sign to date, as the B.C. Christian Academy senior specializes in the long jump (personal best of 6.21m), high jump (13.33m), and triple jump (1.95m).
Kuzyk had a banner year in 2016, taking the bronze in triple jump at the B.C. High School Championships before placing fifth in the event at the 2016 Legion National Championships.
From Maple Ridge, he also placed seventh in high jump at the B.C. High School Championships, hitting his personal best of 13.33m.
Kuzyk plans to pursue a degree in kinesiology.
“It has always been a dream of mine to compete in the NCAA and when I had a chance to come and tour the campus and have a training session with the team, I was convinced SFU would be the place for me,” said Kuzyk.