MOOSE JAW — At just 17 years old, Zayden Anderson has already secured his place as one of Moose Jaw’s most accomplished young athletes.
A Grade 12 student at Vanier Collegiate, Zayden’s dominance in track and field has led him to break records, earn provincial — and national — recognition, and set his sights on one day competing in the Olympics.
His mother, Trisha Anderson, has been at his side through every step of his athletic journey.
“Zayden started off when he began playing baseball when he was four,” she said. “He did that for a very long time, and then in Grade 9, he did track and field. About two weeks before provincials, he decided to try hurdles, and was very successful in them.”
That success has only continued. In 2024, Zayden represented Team Southwest at the Saskatchewan Summer Games, where he brought home gold in the 100-metre hurdles and secured bronze in both the 200-metre and 100-metre dashes. He also made Team Sask., representing the province at the (Royal Canadian) Legion Nationals Youth Track and Field meet.
At the 2024 high school provincials, Zayden showcased his speed and versatility, winning gold in the 100-metre hurdles, silver in the 100-metre dash, and bronze in the 200-metre dash.
“He always remains focused and determined, and I can’t wait to watch him crush his goals while cheering him on in the stands,” Anderson said. “I am so proud of him and the hard work and dedication he puts into his track career.”
Training for success
Zayden trains rigorously to maintain his athletic standing. In 2023 – 2024, he competed with the Moose Jaw Rotary Track Club, where he earned the prestigious Athlete of the Year award at the end of the indoor season.
Currently, he trains three times a week with Vanier coaches Levi Broda and Niki Chalupiak.
His dedication to training is evident in his rapid improvement. Most notably, Zayden ran the 60-metre sprint in just seven seconds at an open men’s competition — beating out university-level athletes.
“He was not expecting that,” Anderson said. “He started out the season running a 7.43, and in this last track meet, he ran a 7.00. He was kind of blown away that he ran that fast, so he’s really liking sprints.”
Multi-sport excellence
While Zayden is a standout in track and field, his athleticism extends far beyond the track. He has excelled in baseball, basketball, and volleyball. He also joined the Vanier Vikings football team for the first time in his senior year and immediately made an impact.
“Last fall was the first year he ever decided to play high school football,” Anderson said. “He was like, ‘I’m going to do it for my Grade 12 year,’ and he ended up getting touchdown after touchdown. Now he wishes he would have played football through all of high school.”
His grandmother, Lori Braun, has been equally impressed with his athleticism and character.
“He’s absolutely amazing,” she said. “He’s even blown university students out of the water, and he is such a good kid.”
Despite his demanding athletic schedule, Zayden is also a dedicated student, maintaining honour roll status throughout high school. In 2024, he was recognized as Vanier’s Male Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
As he heads to university in the fall, Zayden will train with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies on a track and field scholarship while pursuing a degree in agribusiness.
While Zayden’s immediate focus is excelling at the university level, he dreams of one day making it to the Olympics.
For young athletes in Moose Jaw, Zayden’s story is one of dedication, perseverance, and the belief that anything is possible with hard work.
“I would love nothing more than to have him recognized as a great Moose Jaw athlete,” Braun said.
As Zayden continues to break records and reach new heights, Moose Jaw will be watching closely, cheering him on every step of the way.
