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.
鈥淚鈥檇 visited other universities and was overwhelmed by the size of their campuses,鈥 she says. 鈥淩edeemer had a feeling of community, and I just felt confident being there. I鈥檇 also never been to a Christian school before, so it was something I wanted to experience.鈥
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, she鈥檚 earned many achievements and accolades, including competing in the 2021 and 2022 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women鈥檚 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 that鈥檚 something God calls us to do.
鈥淲e do devotionals as a team and even went to church during one of our meets in Thunder Bay. It鈥檚 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 that鈥檚 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 that鈥檚 able to run.鈥
The insights that come through competition have also supported and motivated Gaensler in other aspects of her life.
鈥淎nother aspect of cross country is perseverance. Sometimes, when I鈥檓 feeling down, I think of what I鈥檓 going through as a race and that I鈥檓 almost at the finish line.鈥
Last November, Gaensler received the The award itself is named after 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 鈥淐hrist-like cross country participation in NCCAA member institutions.鈥 According to the official , Gaensler was chosen for being an 鈥渆ncourager on and off the course鈥 who 鈥渓eads by example as she desires to point others to Jesus.鈥 This is evident through her athletic conduct and presence on various other ministries such as her church鈥檚 Jr. Youth Program and her past involvement in Redeemer鈥檚 Rooted Worship team, and Andrew Ponsen, Redeemer’s head cross-country coach, describes Gaensler as 鈥渁n 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.鈥
Sometimes, when I鈥檓 feeling down, I think of what I鈥檓 going through as a race and that I鈥檓 almost at the finish line.
Gaensler views the award as an encouraging milestone in her journey as a distinctly Christian athlete.
鈥淒r. 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.鈥
