Pritchard aiming for more medals on Canadian university track scene
Jason Kerr
Daily Herald
Prince Albert track athlete Shelaine Pritchard had a successful run at the Canada Summer Games in August, and she’s looking to bring that form into the upcoming university season.
The St. Mary Marauder alumnus and current University of Regina Cougar left the Canada Summer Games in Newfoundland with a pair of medals after winning gold in the Heptathlon and silver in the long jump.
“I went into the games with the goal of getting a medal in both of them,” Pritchard said in a phone interview from Regina. “After I had competed and I was able to come home with them I was super proud of myself, super happy with how the competition went, and obviously just happy that I was able to do that while representing Team Sask.”
Pritchard cruised to victory in the Heptathlon, posting top scores in the 100m hurdles, shot put, long jump, and 200m. Her seven-event total of 5,167 points put her 273 ahead of silver medalist Rebecca Parker of Ontario. Paige Zinger of Alberta claimed the bronze with a score of 4,683, edging out Clemence Lavoie of Quebec by 12 points.
“The heptathlon was the last two days of the competition, so the whole week leading up to it I was really excited to just get going with it,” Pritchard said. “I also feel like I was pretty confident going into it, so I wasn’t super nervous. Obviously, there was a bit of nerves but lots of excitement.”
Pritchard’s silver medal in the long jump was a less enjoyable experience. She was in contention for a medal, but had to miss her final two jumps to run the 800m race in the Heptathlon. After tallying the final figures, Pritchard came second by 0.01m.
Fiola Tejiofo of Quebec claimed gold with a jump of 5.94m, while Pritchard earned silver at 5.93m. Brooklyn Traylor of Ontario took bronze with a jump of 5.81m.
Although Pritchard was disappointed with the result, winning gold in the Heptathlon put here in a better mood.
“My main goal was the Hep,” she said. “That was really what I wanted to do good in. That was my main focus, so if I was going to win a gold medal in one of the events, I’m glad that I was able to do it in the Hep.”
This is the second time Pritchard has represented Saskatchewan at the Canada Summer Games. She also competed in 2022 games in Niagara Region, Ont.
She said the second time around was a great experience.
“I’d never been to Newfoundland before,” she said. “That was my first time being there, which was super exciting. I feel like it’s a super cool environment. It’s definitely a different atmosphere than any other meet or competition that I’ve ever been to.”
With the Canada Summer Games over, Pritchard has her sights set on another pair of medals, this time at the Canadian University level.
Pritchard earned bronze twice at the Canada West championships. She also picked up silver in the Senior Women’s Heptathlon at the 2025 Canadian Track and Field Championships.
Now entering her third season, she’s looking to build on past successes.
“I’m hoping this year we can upgrade those (medals),” she said with a laugh, “but I am also just hoping that I can stay healthy and have a clean season.
“I feel like I haven’t had any major injuries, so I’m hoping it stays like that for my last couple of years.”
The 2025 University of Regina track season begins with the Larmer Friendship Games in December.
@kerr_jas • jason.kerr@paherald.sk.ca
