Marisha Thompson’s breakout season just went international.
The University of Victoria standout and female Rookie of the Year is one of two local university athletes named to Team Canada’s track and field roster for the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games in Germany. She’ll be joined by UVic alumna Elise Coates, while fellow Vike Jaxon Kuchar has been named an alternate on the men’s side.
Thompson and Coates are among the 26 women selected to represent Canada in athletics, while Kuchar just missed the cut on the 24-athlete men’s roster.
In total, 22 Canadian Universities will be represented, with Western University carrying the most – 11 of their athletes made the cut.
More than 10,000 student-athletes from over 150 countries are expected to compete over 12 days, with athletics events scheduled for July 21-27 in Bochum, Germany.
Thompson will race in the 3000-metre steeplechase, while Coates, now training with Speed Farm Victoria, is set to compete in the 5000 metres.
Thompson has a strong history with the 3000-metre distance.
In January – during her first race with the Vikes – she blazed to a time of 9:20.38, crushing the U Sports automatic qualifying standard by 10 seconds. The performance not only earned her a spot at the national championships but also national recognition as the Women’s U Sports athlete of the week.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to compete on the world stage or at an international competition before, so I’m really excited for this opportunity,” Thompson said. “It also feels kind of surreal – as a year ago I was running my first outdoor track race in five years, and now I’ve made my first national team.”
Thompson’s rise has been both rapid and hard-earned.
Originally from Norwood, Ont., she began her post-secondary career at Florida Atlantic University during the pandemic.
After battling injuries during her NCAA stint, she transferred to UVic and made an immediate impact – winning Canada West gold in the 3000m, helping the Vikes capture U Sports cross-country bronze, and breaking a 10-year-old school record in the mile.
“Marisha is a very tenacious racer but is still learning how to mentally prepare for each race and manage nerves at high-level meets,” Vikes head coach Hilary Stellingwerff said. “I think this will be great for exposing her to the world-class level and giving her confidence that she belongs in that league.”
Coates, a Vikes standout from Nanaimo, was also no stranger to U Sports success during her time at UVic. In 2024 alone, she claimed Canada West silver medals in both the 1500m and 3000m and earned Canada West second team all-star honours in both events.
Coates and Thompson helped the Vikes' women's team earn Bronze at the 2024 U Sports cross-country championships, their first podium finish since a second-place showing in 2011.
Finally, Kuchar, from Trail, B.C., will serve as an alternate for the men’s side. The two-time Canada West All-Star just completed his third year of U SPORTS eligibility and was named an Unsung Hero at the Vikes' year-end awards in April.
Team Canada is making its return to the FISU Summer World University Games after missing the 2023 event. Canada has won 83 all-time medals in athletics at the FISU games.
