London, ON – Just over a month ahead of the 2019 FISU Summer Universiade in Napoli, Italy the Canadian representatives have been announced.
 
Western will have four athletes and two coaches donning the red and white of Team Canada including Charis Huddle (Swimming), Kelsey Veltman (Volleyball), Evelyn Zheng (Fencing), Joy SpearChief-Morris (Athletics) and coaches Paul Midgley (Swimming) and Vickie Croley (Athletics).
 
Charis Huddle is coming off an extremely impressive season in which she won multiple medals at the OUA Championships and followed that up with a gold & silver medal at the U SPORTS championships along with being named a Purple Blanket recipient at the Mustangs Athletic Gala.
 
"I truly am excited for this opportunity to represent Canada. I'm looking forward to racing against athletes from around the world who will challenge me to be competitive at such a high level." said Huddle "It's also exciting to be on the team alongside swimmers who I've competed against on the Canadian university circuit."
 
Kelsey Veltman's fifth season with the Mustangs saw her named an OUA 1^st team all-star for the 5^th season in a row, which makes her the first player in school history to be named a First Team All-Star for each year of her Mustangs career. She was also named the 2019 winner of the FWP Jones Trophy, presented to the athlete who made the greatest contribution to women's athletics during their years spent at Western.
 
"I'm so excited, I competed in the last FISU games in Taiwan and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had, so I can't wait" said Veltman "It's a huge honour and just an all around great feeling, seeing all the support we get and wearing the maple leaf is always exciting."

Evelyn Zheng just completed her first year at Western with the fencing team. The science student is looking forward to the opportunity to join her fellow Mustangs.

"I don't have a shadow of a doubt that it'll be an experience of a lifetime" said Zheng "This will be my first Universiade, I feel so privileged to be back on the strip and competing for Team Canada again"

Joy Spear Chief-Morris is headed to Italy with her sites on the 100m hurdles. 

"This will be my first time competing in the hurdles on the international stage" said Spear Chief- Morris. "The largest games I have competed in before this were the 2013 Canada Games, which was incredibly fun. I am excited to be able to be involved in the whole games experience, be a part of Team Canada, and also individually, have the opportunity to compete on such a large stage."

Spear Chief-Morris will be joined by her coach Vickie Croley on the Athletics team. The Mustangs Track & Field coach has a wealth of experience to share with the team.

"These games are a tremendous opportunity for our student-athletes who are striving to get to the next level in their sport." said Croley "This is my 3^rd FISU Coaching staff and I look forward to working with some of the best coaches and athletes in Canada." 
 
Swimming Coach Paul Midgley will join the Canadian team in the pool in Italy.
 
"It's been about 8 or 9 years since I've had a chance to wear the flag" said Midgley of the excitement "I've gone as a personal coach but to be part of the staff it's completely different and I'm really looking forward to it"
 
Huddle is extremely excited to have Midgley with the coaching staff and feels it's an advantage not only for her, but the entire team. "He brings a wealth of experiences-- to just name a few, he's coached many national team members, including at the Olympic Games, has been named OUA coach of the year multiple times, and has coached the Western team for more than 15 years. He also brings excitement to this competition, and it's great that he'll be able to share that with the team and on the International stage."

The games take place from July 3^rd to 14^th in Napoli, Italy.
 
For full details on the 2019 Summer Universiade can be found here