Local pair to Canada Summer Games

   

  AJ Stanat and Hallee Knelsen both have two events in Athletics at the National event

  similar to the Olympics featuring multiple sports and occurring every four years

 

 July 19, 2025

 

 

  

 

By Rob J. Ross 

ST. THOMAS - AJ Stanat is having a year to remember.

The 22-year old from St. Thomas is one of Canada's top young throwers in Canada, already an U-Sports champion in men's shot put.

Now the graduate of Parkside Collegiate and student at Windsor University, prepares for two of the biggest meets of his career this summer.

Stanat will make his international debut at the FISU University Games, in Germany, when athletics start July 21.

Then the Canada Summer Games, an U23 National competition, are in St. John's NFLD, August 19-23 (dates for Athletics).

In between are the Canadian track and field championships, July 30-August 3, in Ottawa.

"I'm super thrilled. This is absolutely my biggest meet. This is my first time being on Team Canada and being to able to perform on the international stage," Stanat said. "When I got the email confirming that I made the team, I was on a camping trip with some friends from the University of Windsor and we got to celebrate it together. That same night my friend, Ben, also got the same email. It was a fun moment. It was really nice to be surrounded by the guys I train with day in and day out at the field house."

One goal remains for Stanat from the indoor season.

"Distance wise, I'm vey much chasing the 18 metre mark. I love to throw over that over there," said Stanat. "It will be a very competitive. It would be awesome to walk away with a medal, but I don't know the level of competition, but in my mind I'm thinking it to be very high and very difficult."

Stanat will certainly be a medal contender, even a gold medal threat, at the Canada Summer Games, in both discus and shot put.

"This year is one of my best years of my entire track and field career. I can make it even better," said Stanat. "The world university games and the Canada Summer Games will be be huge stepping stones moving forward in my career."

A career that may just be starting to rise.

"I feel this is just the beginning. What I'm accomplishing now. I want to make more National teams. I want to represent Canada," said Stanat, adding for the university games. "I'm super excited for the high level of competition. I find the difficulty of the competition can elevate your own performance."

AJ's dad, Alex, represented Canada three times in discus, at the Pan American and Commonwealth Games during the 1990s.


Hallee Knelsen has endured her share of injuries in recent years.

Perhaps this summer will give the 22-year old a curve away from those nagging setbacks and more towards career defining moments.

At the Canada Summer Games trials June 28-29, the graduate of University of Western's Health Sciences program, won gold twice, setting a personal best time in the 800 metre run ( 2:07.09) and having her second best ever time in the 1500 metres (4:25.96). Both races featured a battle between Knelsen and Maya Markowska.

Those victories automatically put Knelsen on Team Ontario for the Games, in St. John's, August 19-23.

"I'm excited to be on the team. There will be good competition," said Knelsen. "The goal was to win, for the automatic qualifier. The races went well for where I was at. I still have a lot of room to improve this season."

Knelsen won both races, but expected more in the 1500.

"For the 800, it was nice to get that monkey off of my back. It's been three and half years since I had a PB," said Knelsen. "The 15 didn't go exactly according to plan. It was my second best time, but I know I'm in shape for a big PB. So I wasn't satisfied with that. I got boxed in early and didn't get out soon enough."

Her times are impressive considering Knelsen had been away from the track for a few months.

"I haven't had a lot of training. I haven't been on the track much because of my injuries. There is a lot more training to be done," said Knelsen. "At this point I've had more races than track workouts because everything started all at once, so I had to go with it."

Knelsen put down a 2:07.90 in the 800 at a meet mid June in London. Twelve days after the Games Trials, Knelsen finished second in the 800 with a 2:07.04, at the Canadian Track and Field League final.

Plagued with various ailments throughout her career, this year alone, Knelsen had to overcome a hip flexor issue during her university indoor season, before the hamstring strain delayed her outdoor season.

"It's funny, the times when you feel you are most cut out for the sport, are the times when you can't do it. You really start to miss it," said Knelsen. "Every time it's just really wanting to get back to running. Then when it happens, you are a lot more grateful for it, because you know what it's like not being able to run."

Despite injuries that may have some runners deciding to hang up their shoes, Knelsen's passion for her sport remains strong as it was throughout high school and university years.

"Maybe even more. I love it and I'm going to do it for a long time." Knelsen said. "It would be nice not to have to go through these injuries. But it's nice to come through on the other side and do better than you were beforehand."

Knelsen will compete in the 800 metre qualifying race, aiming to advance to the semifinals, at the Canadian track and field championships, July 30-August 3 in Ottawa.

From London, Jenna Tunks (shot put, discus) and Ryan Georgeson (800m) will be at the Games.