Press Release
Thursday, July 07, 2022
Track and field: 3 athletes join the Aigles
Université de Moncton track and field team coach Steve LeBlanc is pleased that three athletes have signed their U SPORTS letter of intent to join the Aigles Bleues and Aigles Bleus on the Moncton campus for the upcoming Atlantic University Sport track and field season.
Véronique Girouard, 17 years and Érika Desprès, 18 years old, both from Moncton and Guillaume Basque, 17 years old from Dieppe, are the three athletes who want to compete with the blue and gold vest.
Véronique Girouard is 5 feet 9 inches (175cm) tall and a member of the Aetos Athletic Club. She participates in many athletics competitions. “I always wanted to play a sport in university,” she said. “After discovering my love for athletics and having many training sessions, I decided to join the Aigles Bleues. There is a very good atmosphere on the team. Also, it gives me the opportunity to represent my university and do the sport that I love very much.”
She is aiming to win a medal at the Atlantic University Sport Championship (AUS). She has only been practising this sport for a year, but she highlights her perseverance. She would like to improve her speed. She is enrolled in the kinesiology program. She knows the majority of the team's athletes and is looking forward to next season.
Guillaume Basque is involved in heptathlon and decathlon. Born in Quebec and measuring 6 feet 1 inch, 195 pounds, he has been living in Dieppe for several years. He is a member of club Aetos. “I wish to join the Aigles Bleus for several reasons,” he said. “First, for the exceptional coaches and assistant coaches and second, for the athletes and teammates who will help me pursue my dreams.”
Basque hopes to push his limits and perform at a high level. “I hope one day to qualify for the U SPORTS championships with my teammate Max Mazerolle. I have been practising this sport for 6 years.” Jumps and throws are his strength, and he aims to improve his endurance and speed. “It's hard to find a balance in the combined event, so I'd like to find a happy medium,” he added. “I know most of the members of the team, because I have been training with them for 4 years.” Basque will pursue studies in general business. He played hockey as a goaltender and volleyball with the Mathieu-Martin Matadors. He decided to drop these sports to dedicate himself to athletics. He knows that the academic caliber in his discipline is high and that he will have many challenges in the coming years.
Erika Desprès practises sprints in 200 m, 60 m and 300 m. Measuring 5 feet 3 inches, she is a member of Aetos Athletica.
“I appreciate the environment surrounding the team, it's like a family,” she noted. “I will continue to train with the same coach who offers a very good training program. I hope to race at the U SPORT championship one day and be a member of a relay team.” Erika has been practising this sport for 7 years. She hopes to improve her times and the psychological aspect of the sport. She is pursuing studies in science and chemistry at the Moncton campus.
“These three athletes will have the chance to develop in the coming months to successfully compete in university competitions,” said Steve LeBlanc. “I am happy they have chosen to compete with our Aigles. They have potential at the university level.”
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