LAKEHEAD THUNDERWOLVES LAND LOCAL RUNNING TRIO

The Lakehead Thunderwolves Track & Field/ Cross-Country team is proud to announce a trio of local athletes have committed to joining the program. Hunter McLean, Tim Shaw and Aly DaSilva, all Westgate CVI Tigers, will become Thunderwolves for the upcoming season.

“I’m very pleased that Hunter, Tim and Aly have decided to continue their careers here at Lakehead. I’ve had the pleasure of working with this group for the past 3-4 years, and I know they will be able to contribute to our varsity program immediately.” said Joe McDonough, who coached the trio throughout high school in the Thunderwolves’ development program, and is currently serving as the Thunderwolves Interim Head Coach. 

Lakehead Track & Field/Cross-Country’s first recruit of the year, Hunter McLean, is a former national medalist in the 4x400m relay and joins the program with personal bests of 7.26 (60m), 23.32 (200m) and 36.98 (300m). “I wanted to stay close to home and remain with my current track team. They are amazing, hardworking teammates that I consider family. Also, Lakehead track has outstanding coaching and I really like the individualized approach they have” said McLean when asked about the Lakehead team. 

“Hunter has been improving steadily over the past 5 years, I’ve seen him go from a 58s 400m, all the way down to 51s and I know he’s just reaching the surface of what he’s capable of – Hunter will be an immediate contributor for our men’s team and I can’t wait to see what he can do” said McDonough.

Also joining the Thunderwolves this fall is Tim Shaw, a former provincial team member in both the 100m and 200m events. Tim was also an OFSAA finalist in the 200m (2019) holds personal besets of 7.30 (60m), 11.28 (100m) and 22.84 (200m). Tim also holds the NWOSSSA U18 Boys 200m area-record. 

“I chose Lakehead for its amazing coaching staff and computer science program. I have been training with coach Joe for the past three years and have been seeing massive improvement year-over-year. I can tell the coaching staff at Lakehead is extremely dedicated and has plenty of resources available to help its athletes perform at their best. Lakehead has also impressed me with its computer science program.” said Shaw when asked about Lakehead University’s athletics and academics. 

McDonough said that “I’m excited that we were able to sign Tim as well – with his resume, Tim will bring a great deal of championship experience to our team, and I anticipate Tim being a critical part of our relay program moving forward. He is a great talent, and an excellent worker and I can’t wait to help him take the next steps in his career!”. 

Rounding out the trio of recruits for the Lakehead Track & Field/Cross-Country team is Aly DaSilva, another former provincial team member. Aly brings a plethora of experience to the team as a Hurdler, Short and Long Sprinter, Aly boasts personal bests of 30.82 (200mH), 48.09 (300mH) and 1:00.87 (400m). 

“I love the relationships I have created with my teammates already and I’m very interested in the psychology program and the courses they have to offer” said DaSilva, who then added “special thanks to my family, coach Joe McDonough, who’s been motivating me for years and my teammates who have become my closest friends, constantly reminding me of al my capabilities”. 

“Aly has been with our development program now for about 8 years and is a testament to the work we do here with our athletes” said McDonough. “Aly has been steadily improving each year since she’s been with our club and will be a key piece in our women’s relay program moving forward – I see Aly helping push our women’s relay team up the USports rankings right away, and I’m glad she decided to stay with us here at Lakehead”.