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‘Fastest couple' slow down to celebrate
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May 30, 2003
On the track, they are SFU’s fastest couple.
But running aside, Carlene and Chad Van Tongeren are setting their own pace, with a time out to celebrate two firsts — completion of the first leg of their academic journeys, and their first wedding anniversary.
There is icing on the cake too. Carlene, who graduates this spring, is receiving one of SFU’s highest student honors, the prestigious Gordon M. Shrum gold medal, given to the best all-round student. The award acknowledges her high academic achievement and her devotion to both SFU and the community.
"I don’t set out to achieve awards," admits the middle-distance runner, who last year received the prestigious National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) A.O. Duer award for athletic and academic achievement and community service. The recipient is chosen from more than 300 North American universities. "I try to live my life a certain way. They just seem to follow."
Carlene’s positive and determined approach spawns success both on and off the track. Captain of SFU’s track and field team for the past three years, she is a four-time NAIA All-American and BC Athletics Junior Cross Country athlete of the year.
Her academic track record is equally impressive, with a grade point average just shy of 4.0 and honor roll status for three years running. The psychology major plans to move her focus at the graduate level from sport psychology to relationship counselling.
Beyond sport and studies, Carlene has found time for other contributions. She and best friend Brita Main approached SFU’s dean of student services with an idea to create an outreach workshop for Grade 12 students coming to SFU, which is now in practice, and speaks to youth groups on the role of women in sport. She continues to pursue her other loves of acting, dancing and singing and originally came to Vancouver from Oak Bay to audition for roles.
Carlene recalls being "a determined little tyke," and describes herself as a university student with "boundless energy and initiative." But in Chad’s words it was "the whole package" that attracted him.
Three years ago, the sprinter became ill during a training camp in Arizona and was unable to join the team in a group sightseeing tour. Carlene was also at the camp and happened to miss the bus. While the pair knew each other, the time they spent together marked the starting point of their relationship. They now reside in Burnaby.
Chad, who is also a hurdler, injured his foot earlier this spring and is waiting to begin training again. He is no less focused than Carlene, with sights set on making the top five in the 400 meter hurdles competition in Canada. With the completion of his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology this summer he’s targeting medical school and hopes to become a doctor.
Word of Carlene’s Shrum medal was no surprise to her husband. "She is very much deserving of it," he says. "In everything she does, she shines."
—30—
Contact
Carlene/Chad Van Tongeren, 604.291.6093; ctdaniel@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR, 604.291.4323; marianne_meadahl@sfu.ca
But running aside, Carlene and Chad Van Tongeren are setting their own pace, with a time out to celebrate two firsts — completion of the first leg of their academic journeys, and their first wedding anniversary.
There is icing on the cake too. Carlene, who graduates this spring, is receiving one of SFU’s highest student honors, the prestigious Gordon M. Shrum gold medal, given to the best all-round student. The award acknowledges her high academic achievement and her devotion to both SFU and the community.
"I don’t set out to achieve awards," admits the middle-distance runner, who last year received the prestigious National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) A.O. Duer award for athletic and academic achievement and community service. The recipient is chosen from more than 300 North American universities. "I try to live my life a certain way. They just seem to follow."
Carlene’s positive and determined approach spawns success both on and off the track. Captain of SFU’s track and field team for the past three years, she is a four-time NAIA All-American and BC Athletics Junior Cross Country athlete of the year.
Her academic track record is equally impressive, with a grade point average just shy of 4.0 and honor roll status for three years running. The psychology major plans to move her focus at the graduate level from sport psychology to relationship counselling.
Beyond sport and studies, Carlene has found time for other contributions. She and best friend Brita Main approached SFU’s dean of student services with an idea to create an outreach workshop for Grade 12 students coming to SFU, which is now in practice, and speaks to youth groups on the role of women in sport. She continues to pursue her other loves of acting, dancing and singing and originally came to Vancouver from Oak Bay to audition for roles.
Carlene recalls being "a determined little tyke," and describes herself as a university student with "boundless energy and initiative." But in Chad’s words it was "the whole package" that attracted him.
Three years ago, the sprinter became ill during a training camp in Arizona and was unable to join the team in a group sightseeing tour. Carlene was also at the camp and happened to miss the bus. While the pair knew each other, the time they spent together marked the starting point of their relationship. They now reside in Burnaby.
Chad, who is also a hurdler, injured his foot earlier this spring and is waiting to begin training again. He is no less focused than Carlene, with sights set on making the top five in the 400 meter hurdles competition in Canada. With the completion of his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology this summer he’s targeting medical school and hopes to become a doctor.
Word of Carlene’s Shrum medal was no surprise to her husband. "She is very much deserving of it," he says. "In everything she does, she shines."
—30—
Contact
Carlene/Chad Van Tongeren, 604.291.6093; ctdaniel@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR, 604.291.4323; marianne_meadahl@sfu.ca