Panthers strengthen cross country roster with six new additions

By Thomas Becker

The UPEI Panthers are adding depth, speed, and serious upside to the trails.

Head coach Mike Peterson has announced six new additions to the cross country program, bringing in a talented recruiting class from Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Québec.

The group includes Jacob Pozin, Isaac Boudreau, Adrian Sunderland, Cédrick Provencher, Claire Breau, and Abbie Carter—a mix of proven distance runners, emerging talent, and athletes with the potential to grow into key contributors for the Panthers.

Jacob Pozin

The Panthers are adding a strong distance runner from Toronto, ON, as Jacob Pozin joins the program from Northern Secondary School and Central Toronto Athletics Club.

During the cross country season, Pozin placed seventh at the city championships and qualified for OFSAA, Ontario's high school provincial championship. He capped the season with a strong performance at nationals, finishing 54th overall and improving by roughly a minute from the previous year.

On the track, he continued to make major strides. During the indoor season, Pozin ran a personal best of 9:06 in the 3000 metres at nationals. This spring, he posted outdoor personal bests of 4:07 in the 1500 metres, 6:27 in the 2000-metre steeplechase, and achieved his goal of breaking nine minutes in the 3000 metres with a time of 8:55.

"I can't wait to see what goals I can achieve as I transition to running for UPEI," Pozin said.

For Pozin, the connection with the Panthers program played a major role in his commitment.

"Coach Mike and the members of the cross country and track teams who met with me when I came for a recruit weekend were my main reasons for committing to UPEI," he said. "I really felt that Mike and the rest of the coaching staff were a good fit for me, and I connected well with the team members I met.

"I've also grown up coming to PEI in the summers and spending time with extended family in the St. Peter's Bay area. I like that UPEI is a small university, and the dorm rooms are great."

Peterson believes Pozin has the ability to make an immediate impact.

"Coming to us from Toronto, Jacob is AUS All-Rookie Team material," Peterson said. "He recently ran 8:55 in the 3000m and 4:07 in the 1500. We are extremely high on him and see him having a very good chance at sliding into our top five."

Isaac Boudreau

New Glasgow, NS native Isaac Boudreau joins the Panthers after a strong high school career with North Nova Education Centre and Pictou County Athletics.

Looking back on his high school running career, Boudreau said several milestones stand out, including some recent memories made on Prince Edward Island. He ran a personal best of 16:57 in the 5K and competed in the Red Isle Relay alongside several future teammates.

At the high school level, Boudreau helped North Nova win back-to-back School Sport Nova Scotia cross country provincial team titles in Grades 10 and 11. In Grade 12, he placed 11th individually at provincials. During the indoor track season, he also ran a personal best of 9:35 in the 3000 metres.

Boudreau said the people at UPEI were the biggest reason behind his decision to become a Panther.

"In August of 2025, I had no idea where I wanted to go for school," he said. "But after a friendly push from a few friends who attend the school, I saw how great an environment the people, campus, teammates, and coaches make this place. It's that reason that I can say how excited I am for this next chapter."

Peterson sees Boudreau as a runner with significant long-term potential.

"We are also very high on Isaac for the long term," Peterson said. "After a strong career at North Nova Education Centre, he chose the Panthers over multiple suitors. He had a strong high school career in Nova Scotia but is just scratching the surface of what he can do."

Adrian Sunderland

The Panthers are also adding Halifax, NS runner Adrian Sunderland, who joins UPEI from Citadel High and Athletics East.

One of Sunderland's biggest highlights from his recent running career was winning a provincial team title in cross country. On the track, he posted a personal best of 4:27 in the 1500 metres during regionals this year.

For Sunderland, UPEI stood out because of the program's environment and coaching staff.

He pointed to "the welcoming team and coaching staff, the close-knit environment UPEI has, and the knowledge and experience the coaching staff has" as key reasons for his commitment.

Peterson praised Sunderland's work ethic and passion for the sport.

"Another long-term project, we are very high on Adrian, who comes to us from Citadel High," Peterson said. "He has a tireless work ethic and a true love of the sport. He has run some quick times in workouts and will soon have the race results to match."

Cédrick Provencher

Cédrick Provencher brings a unique athletic background to the Panthers after spending much of his life focused on hockey.

Originally from Coaticook, QC, Provencher most recently attended The Mount Academy, where he played for the Saints.

Although Provencher is still relatively new to competitive running, sport has always been central to his life. His main sport was hockey, where he played goalie, but he has long enjoyed running and other endurance sports during the offseason.

Running became a bigger part of his life after he began working with Peterson and the Panthers training group.

"Running was something I loved, but it wasn't until I began working with Coach Peterson and the team at UPEI that I discovered what the sport could truly become with structure, consistency, and a great training environment," Provencher said. "They welcomed me into their training group this past winter whenever my school and hockey schedule allowed, and that experience is what truly sparked my passion for running."

So far, Provencher has competed in only a handful of races, but has already shown promise. He set his current 5K personal best of 17:32 this past April at the Bunny Hop in Charlottetown. He also competed in his first indoor track meet this winter, running 2:47 in the 1000 metres.

After living in Prince Edward Island for the past two years while attending The Mount Academy, Provencher said the Island quickly began to feel like home.

"This year, one of my hockey coaches encouraged me to give competitive running a chance and suggested I join the Islanders Track and Field Club," he said. "Later that winter, I reached out to Coach Peterson, who welcomed me into his training group. I immediately enjoyed both the sessions and the team atmosphere. When Coach Peterson asked if I would be interested in joining the Panthers this fall, I didn't have to think twice."

Peterson believes Provencher could become one of the most exciting additions in the class.

"Ced is potentially the biggest steal of the bunch," Peterson said. "Devoted to hockey for most of his life, he recently dedicated himself to running and is already showing great promise. He is a hard worker, and we feel his ceiling is very, very high."

Claire Breau

Dieppe, NB runner Claire Breau joins the Panthers after representing École Mathieu-Martin in track and cross country, as well as ASEA at the club level.

Breau pointed to two major milestones from her recent running career. Last summer, she earned a spot on New Brunswick's Legion Nationals team, where she competed in the 2000-metre steeplechase and 3000 metres. This year, she won two silver medals at the New Brunswick high school provincial championships, finishing second in both the 3000 metres and 1500 metres.

Her personal bests include 10:58.40 in the 3000 metres, 5:08.31 in the 1500 metres, 2:30.17 in the 800 metres, and 7:50.56 in the 2000-metre steeplechase.

Breau said the combination of athletics, academics, and family ties made UPEI the right fit.

"I decided to commit to UPEI because the team and coaches have been super nice, I'm very interested in the engineering program, and I love visiting my family in PEI," she said. "It's a lovely place."

Peterson said Breau brings both strong results and long-term potential to the program.

"Claire comes to us from Moncton, where she has had a solid career with the ASEA program," Peterson said. "Her club coach raves about her work ethic and potential. She already has some solid personal bests and recently won three medals at the New Brunswick high school championships."

Abbie Carter

From Moncton, NB Abbie Carter adds middle-distance speed to the Panthers' recruiting class.

For Carter, one of the biggest milestones of her career so far was making New Brunswick's Legion Nationals team in 2025. She owns personal bests of 1:01.77 in the 400 metres and 2:26.75 in the 800 metres.

Carter said UPEI stood out both academically and athletically.

"I have always loved visiting PEI and have heard great things about the nutrition program at UPEI," she said. "As for the cross country and track team, they have been super friendly and welcoming, and I am excited to join a great group of athletes and coaches."

Peterson said Carter's speed gives her an exciting foundation as she transitions into the Panthers program.

"Also from Moncton but known more for her 400m and 800m speed, Abbie will be stepping up in distance and using cross country to build strength for the track season," Peterson said. "She is very quick and has a lot of potential. She recently won two silver medals at New Brunswick High School Provincials."