The cross country and track and field team at St. Thomas University is pleased to announce Chelsey Hall as the 2016 recipient of the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation Scholarship.

Hall, a senior at Fredericton High School, still holds the New Brunswick provincial record for the bantam 1500 meters. More recently, she was crowned the provincial high school champion for the junior 800 meters.

The $10,000 multi-year scholarship offered by the Irving Foundation has already had a positive impact on Hall.

"Knowing I have people supporting me like this encourages me to try my hardest to succeed in everything I do," she said. "This scholarship has given me the motivation I need to be successful both on and off the track. It's a great honour."

Hall is already making an impression?at the ANS Indoor Meet earlier this month, she finished the 600 meters in 1:42:01, which is over four seconds faster than the current STU record in the event.

Tommies head coach Alex Coffin is looking forward to adding an athlete of Hall's caliber to the Green and Gold.

"Chelsey's ambition will certainly rub off on her teammates," he said. "I expect her to be our leader for both track and field and cross country when she arrives next fall."

Ryan Terry of Moncton, NB, is another recruit who will benefit from the Arthur L. Irving Foundation. A finalist for the scholarship, the Irving Foundation has awarded Terry $1,500. He was the top junior finisher in the 3000 meters at the recent Jump Start Athletics Moncton Open.

"Ryan brings the same energy as Chelsey," Coffin said. "I know he has our 3000 meter record on his bucket list already."

The Tommies are currently preparing for the Atlantic University Sport track and field championships, which will take place February 27-28 in Moncton.