As part of The Courier’s series on Charlotte County athletes competing at the Canada Games in St. John’s, N.L, we’re proud to spotlight 18-year-old sprinter Anna Somers—a St. Stephen High School alum now studying at the University of New Brunswick and racing for the UNB REDS.
In St. John’s, Somers will line up in the 400 metres, the 4×400-metre relay, and the 4×100-metre relay.
“I am competing in the sport of track and field,” she said simply, “and I’m beyond excited. This will be my first Canada Games.”
Somers’ roots in St. Stephen run deep—and so does her gratitude for the town that raised her.
“I have lived in St. Stephen my whole life and I have grown to love this place because of the support that is given and the people that make the town what it is,” she said. “It means a lot that I get to represent not only New Brunswick on the national stage but my small hometown. All I can hope is for my absolute best performance and to make my province proud.”
Her track journey began in Grade 6 with middle-school long-distance events, but everything accelerated when a friend nudged her toward the Saint John Reds Track Club.
“I loved it,” Somers said. “SJTC was the place where the entire sport changed for me.”
She spent six years with the club while competing for St. Stephen High, and in her first year at UNB she qualified for both the AUS Championships and USPORTS Championships.
A career highlight came quickly: “placing second in the 300 metres during my first year at UNB… ensured myself that I have a lot more time left and I am going to improve so much.”
Reaching the Canada Games took resolve.
“Training leading up to the Games has definitely been a big commitment—from taking days off work to travel to competitions to driving an hour just to practise with my team,” she said.
The decisive moment came at Canada Games trials.
“All that was running through my head was this is the moment and it’s now or never. I ran the best 400 race I could’ve imagined and I ran a time that automatically put me on the team–another indicator to myself that I have so much potential and that things are only going to get better from here.”
Somers credits her parents for unwavering support.
“They have been at almost every competition, have driven me to every practice and have never failed to support me no matter what,” she said. “I could not have gotten where I am today without them.”
What keeps her grounded is what the sport gives back: “Track has taught me mental strength and has connected me to so many amazing people–one of the most positive things in my life.”
Her message to young athletes is clear: “Keep pushing: Don’t let anyone who tries to get in your way stop you. Only you can experience the moments that make you realize how much potential you have.”
The Courier will feature all of the athletes from Charlotte County who are competing in the Canada Summer Games in this spotlight series.
