Regina runner set to join Michigan Wolverines to take next steps in track career

Hannah Gates is among the top track and field runners in the province.

While she’s used to being at the front of the pack, she’s following in the footsteps of another Saskatchewan runner and heading to the University of Michigan.

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“In the fall of Grade 11, I started reaching out to schools across Canada and the States just to see what my opportunities would be. We shot them an email and they answered and then they expressed interest continually. I was also really interested because there’s a girl from Saskatchewan named Savannah Sutherland and she’s had great success at Michigan. I just found that really inspiring,” Gates said.

Sutherland, who is from Saskatoon, is an Olympian who competed for Canada at the 2024 games in Paris. She was a member of the Wolverines from 2021-25.

“I’ve known about her my entire track career, and knowing that she could come from Saskatchewan and accomplish such big things. It’s just really awesome to see that and have someone to follow,” Gates said.

So when she went on a visit to Michigan, women’s cross-country coach Mike McGuire made it a point for her to meet Sutherland.

“She had the opportunity to meet Savannah on her visit and actually spend time with her,” McGuire said. “I can tell you that Savannah had a great individual career but did it within the framework of a team and very much a team person. We see a lot of parallels with Hannah.”

It was a moment that meant a lot to Gates.

“It was cool to see the connection and the things we actually have in common. She runs at that track and now I’ll be running at that track, and it was just super fun to see how she’s built her career and her way up there,” Gates said. “It’s always good to have someone pave the way in anything. Even in track times recently, once someone runs a big time, it pushes everyone else in that event to also run a big time. She’s paved the way, it feels like and now I feel like I can achieve big things too.”

McGuire said Gates is an outstanding athlete who they are excited to welcome to the team.

“She’s the type of person who I think will really flourish in this program and she’s going to contribute far beyond (personal bests) in the 800 and 1500 in the program. We’re just excited for her as an athlete but more excited for her as a person to be a part of the Wolverine family,” McGuire said.

Sheldon Williams student Hannah Gates runs at the Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, N.L. in August 2025. (Amy Gates/Submitted)

McGuire said what stood out about her was how well she was running indoors during Saskatchewan winters.

“It was during indoor season a year ago and I brought it to coach (Kevin) Sullivan and said, ‘Hey, this young lady is doing this in Saskatchewan at this time of year,’ and I put it into context that it’s way different than kids racing in the east coast and New York and Boston. I thought she was doing some really good stuff in a tougher process – meaning the weather that you deal with out there,” McGuire said.

Gates’ love of track started in elementary school during Track and Field Day. She said her older brother Ben, who is currently a track athlete with McGill University, was a fan of the triple jump, so that’s where she first started.

But then she joined Excel Athletika and has since gone on to run plenty of races, including middle distances such as the 800 and 1,500-metre races.

“I just really like that you can push yourself to your fullest level. I don’t even know how to explain it, it just makes you feel so accomplished, even though sometimes it is stressful because it’s an individual sport, so it’s all on you, but it’s just such a rewarding process. I just fell in love with the community here, and the entire Canadian running community is just such a good community to be in,” Gates said.

It was when she finished first at the Legion nationals in Quebec in 2023 that she realized she could do track at the next level.

“I wasn’t expecting that. That was a really big breakthrough moment for me because it made me realize I’m capable of so much more than I ever thought I could be. And then that’s just kept me motivated to keep training hard,” Gates said. “This past summer, I won the 1500 meter at Legion nationals again. So it’s really awesome that I’ve had everyone in this community to keep pushing me and keep me at the highest level.”

As a Grade 12 student at Sheldon Williams, she’s also had to find the balance between athletics and schooling, both being very important for her.

“So it’s pretty challenging, but I prioritize both of these things pretty heavily, so I make time for and sometimes it means sacrificing some, like social gatherings but I just find the balance that’s right between athletics and academics,” Gates said.

She’s also taken on coaching younger athletes with Excel Athletika as well.

“It’s super fun seeing that they’re at a point that I was at and seeing them develop as athletes and have breakthrough moments like I had and see what they can accomplish and learn themselves and how capable they are, and it’s really fun to see awesome,” Gates said.

She participated at the Knights of Columbus Games at the Field House in Saskatoon, which saw her not only compete against people her age, but older athletes as well.

She finished second in the 800-metre short track event.

“It’s super fun that they put on these events that allow high school athletes to also compete with the university athletes, just to push everyone to their highest level. It’s super fun to talk to them and see how collegiate sports operate,” Gates said.

Now she’s excited about what the next chapter of her running career will bring.

“It feels really surreal. I can’t quite believe that it’s actually going to happen, but I’m super excited. I committed last April, and it’s been a long wait. I just really want to get down there and start my collegiate journey,” Gates said.