Fourth-year student-athlete and Dr. Ray Bullock Award recipient Leah-Joy Gaensler is racing for Christ on and off the cross-country running course.
It took one campus visit for Leah-Joy Gaensler to decide that Redeemer was the place for her.
āIād visited other universities and was overwhelmed by the size of their campuses,ā she says. āRedeemer had a feeling of community, and I just felt confident being there. Iād also never been to a Christian school before, so it was something I wanted to experience.ā
That sense of confidence instilled itself quickly. In addition to being a high performer in the classroom, Gaensler has been a dedicated member of the Redeemer Royals cross-country running team since her second year. Along the way, sheās earned many achievements and accolades, including competing in the 2021 and 2022 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Womenās Cross-Country National Championships and being named a National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Scholar-Athlete.
However, Gaensler says she is most grateful for the holistic benefits of running itself and being part of a faith-based athletics community, including better sleep and consistent spiritual development.
I love encouraging people, and I really feel thatās something God calls us to do.
āWe do devotionals as a team and even went to church during one of our meets in Thunder Bay. Itās also been a way to witness to other schools because we always cheer for runners outside of Redeemer. I love encouraging people, and I really feel thatās something God calls us to do. Later in the season, I often reflect on how thankful I am that God gave me a healthy body thatās able to run.ā
The insights that come through competition have also supported and motivated Gaensler in other aspects of her life.
āAnother aspect of cross country is perseverance. Sometimes, when Iām feeling down, I think of what Iām going through as a race and that Iām almost at the finish line.ā
Last November, Gaensler received the NCCAA Dr. Ray Bullock Award for Division I Womenās Cross-Country. The award itself is named after Dr. Ray Bullock, a former cross-country coach and NCCAA Hall of Fame member who was devoted to cross country both as a sport and ministry. Recipients are chosen based on āChrist-like cross country participation in NCCAA member institutions.ā According to the official press release, Gaensler was chosen for being an āencourager on and off the courseā who āleads by example as she desires to point others to Jesus.ā This is evident through her athletic conduct and presence on various other ministries such as her churchās Jr. Youth Program and her past involvement in Redeemerās Rooted Worship team, Joy Bible Camp and Awana clubs. Andrew Ponsen, Redeemer’s head cross-country coach, describes Gaensler as āan exceptional student-athlete with a strong community involvement and strong faith. She excels in the classroom and on the course and is a true leader.ā
Sometimes, when Iām feeling down, I think of what Iām going through as a race and that Iām almost at the finish line.
Gaensler views the award as an encouraging milestone in her journey as a distinctly Christian athlete.
āDr. Ray Bullock showed Christ to those he coached, and I’m honoured that NCCAA thinks I reflect his characteristics. It makes me want to keep shining my light for Jesus in every area possible.ā