Avery Pearson becomes first Canadian to join On Athletics Club

Avery Pearson has signed a professional contract with On Athletics Club, the training group based in Boulder, Colorado. The 23 year old from Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan is the first Canadian to join the OAC roster.

Pearson spent four years in the U Sports system at the University of Saskatchewan before transferring to the University of Colorado for her final season of NCAA eligibility. Her 800m personal best dropped from 2:03.17 in 2025 to 2:00.76 this year, a jump that pushed her into the conversation among North America's top middle distance prospects. At Colorado she won the Big 12 indoor title in the 600 yard event. Earlier in her career she was named U Sports Female Rookie of the Year and reached the final of the 800m at the World U20 Championships.

At OAC she will train under Dathan Ritzenhein, a three time US Olympian, alongside Olympic silver medalist Yared Nuguse and two time world champion Hellen Obiri. OAC team manager Andrew Wheating said Pearson has "an enormously high ceiling in the sport." Pearson said the club's culture of "always learning, growing, and striving to be better" is what drew her to sign.

Pearson is now aiming for her first Olympic team with Canada. Her contract takes effect in 2027, once her remaining amateur commitments wrap up.

A runner who spent four years racing in U Sports before cracking two minutes in the 800m is a reminder that the road to a professional contract still runs through some unglamorous winters.

Sources: Canadian Running; On Running.