News Archives: Chris Nelissen - Featured Athlete of the Week
Wednesday, November 6th, 2019
Name: Chris Nelissen
Hometown: Grande Prairie, Alberta
High School: Hillcrest Christian School
At what age did you start playing your sport? What drew you to the game? I started running at the beginning of Grade 10. I needed an active outlet that I could do by myself or with a team. One of my PE teachers at the time suggested I run. When I first started running I was drawn to the sport by the team atmosphere as well as the individual achievement aspect as well.
What is your fondest memory of your sport? My fondest memory of the sport to date was being able to take a trip to Montreal and compete in the Athletics Canada Track and Field Championships. Competing among the best Canadian U20 athletes and watching the best Canadian Track and Field athletes in general was a privilege and awes-inspiring. Travelling with Coach Bill Corcoran and four Peace Country Wolves Athletics Club members it created memories of a lifetime.
Any pre or post-game rituals that you would be willing to share? How do you prepare? I think I am kind of weird when it comes to pre-meet rituals. I like to think about the meet as little as possible on the day of right up until the one minute before the start. I’m that guy who you hear cracking jokes and such on the way to the start line. Something more normal I guess is I like to listen to lots of music beforehand, something that will get my mind off the meet until the time comes.
What are your future goals? I would love to see myself eventually competing at the USPORTS level. I am also using my experiences as an athlete to become a better and more successful coach of this sport. I already have had the privilege of assistant coaching school teams as well as an Alberta Summer Games team so to me being an athlete is also a gateway of becoming a more effective coach in the future.
From Head Coach Bill Corcoran
Any special game moments, stats you’d like to share? Chris ran anchor leg on the Peace Country Wolves 4x400m team which finished 4th at the 2019 u20 Athletics Canada Track and Field Championship.
What does this player bring to the dynamics of the team? Chris is a humble, funny, likeable kid who works hard.