BURNABY, B.C. – SFU alumnus Addy Townsend will run for Canada at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, which will take place from October 20 to November 5, 2023. The middle-distance star from Coquitlam, B.C., is entered in the women's 800 meters, the same event in which she competed for Canada at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

"Any chance I get to represent Canada is an opportunity I can't pass up," said Townsend. "It is what I've always dreamed of doing since I started the sport. It will be my first time going to South America so I'm so excited to experience the atmosphere competing there."

Townsend's career continues to thrive after amassing numerous awards at SFU, where she participated in track and field and cross country between 2016 and 2021.

Her recognition includes the following major honours:
- US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association West Region Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Year (2020)
- Great Northwest Athletic Conference Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Year (2017 and 2020)
- GNAC Indoor Track & Field Championships – Women's Track Athlete of the Meet (2020)
- GNAC Indoor Track & Field Women's Freshman of the Year (2016)

Townsend won 14 GNAC event titles (nine indoor, five outdoor) during her time at SFU. She is a four-time indoor conference champion in the 800 meters, and a three-time distance-medley relay winner. Her other indoor titles came in the mile and 4x400-m relay. In outdoor track & field, Townsend owns GNAC championships in the 800 m, 1,500 m, and in the 4x400-m relay (three).

She will be joined in Chile on the Team Canada roster by former SFU sprinters Jeremiah Lauzon (Red Deer, Alta.) and Callum Robinson (Goderich, Ont.). Both won GNAC indoor titles in the 200 m. Lauzon's win came in 2020. Then iIn 2022, the top spot on the podium was occupied by Robinson, who also triumphed in the 400 m. Lauzon was the GNAC Indoor Track & Field Men's Freshman of the Year in 2020.

"It is exciting to see three former athletes from our program be selected to the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile," said Brit Townsend, head coach of the Red Leafs cross country and track and field program, and 1987 Pan American Games bronze medalist in the 1,500 meters. "This meet is an important opportunity for athletes to gain competitive experience and to be able to wear the Canadian uniform. It is an incredible honour to represent your country and I know all three will be great ambassadors for SFU and Canada."

Brit Townsend is preparing the Red Leafs for the 2023 GNAC Cross Country Championships Oct. 21 in Anchorage, Alaska.

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