Cari Rampersad Kuzyk Deserving Of Recognition 

As we look to wrap-up the group who are being inducted into the 2023 Delta Sports Hall of Fame we want to add CARI RAMPERSAD KUZYK who is selected into the Athlete category

Having a passion for sport is what makes any athlete successful and Cari was motivated from the start and is well deserving  of her recognition.

Enjoy the read:

Cari Rampersad Kuzyk developed her passion for running at seven when she entered her first 10 km. race. From that day on she “was hooked on the sport”.

Her passion for running continued and with her father as coach Cari became a highly skilled runner in track and cross country. 

Even though her high school career was marred by injuries and illnesses, Cari persevered and reached her full potential in university.                                   

Cari competed for Simon Fraser University from 1994 -1998 and during this time developed into an elite runner. 

Not only was Cari the first Freshman in NAIA history to win the Cross Country Championships, but she was the first university runner in either NAIA or NCAA to win 3 consecutive Cross Country Championships. 

Cari was 1997 and 1998 Indoor Track & Field 3000m Champion; 1998 Outdoor 5000m Champion and helped lead the SFU teams to 6 NAIA Relay and Team Championships.

Besides setting numerous NAIA records, Cari was a NAIA All American four consecutive years in Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field and Outdoor Track and Field. Cari was also recognized as the 1996 BC University athlete and the 1997 SFU female athlete of the year.                            

Considered by many to be the greatest distance runner from North Delta, Cari’s success in running wasn’t just for Simon Fraser University. 

She finished in the top 10 at several Canadian Junior National Cross Country Championships (winning the 1995 championship) and the Canadian Senior National Cross Country Championships and competed for Canada at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 1998 and 1999. 

A highlight for Cari was her selection to the 2006 Canadian National team and subsequent trip to the world championships after the birth of her first son. “I was a bit shocked to make the national team,” but Cari found a way to combine motherhood and competitive running.    

Cari would like to give back as a volunteer/coach to young athletes. “I wouldn’t have attained the success that I did if it weren’t for the volunteer coaches who gave up their time.” 

Coaches like her father, SFU coaches Gerry Swan and Zenon Smiechowski, and coach Jerry Tighe were “instrumental throughout my running career”. Young athletes would be fortunate to be coached by an athlete of Cari’s ability.

Congratulations from Sportswave and Eastlink TV. Well Deserved!!!!