Roberts Creek's Kendra Pomfret and fellow University of Victoria Vikes cross-country runner Kyle Irvine have been named Canada West cross-country student-athletes of the year.
Pomfret has been an active member of the UVic Vikes varsity council for the past three seasons.
Growing from her role as the social chair to a member of the executive part of the council, she has been involved in organizing varsity-wide social functions including fundraising events for charities such as Shoot for the Cure, Raise a Reader and a variety of inter-varsity team social engagements.
Additionally, she has joined Clint Hamilton, director of athletics and recreation for UVic Vikes, on numerous occasions as a varsity speaker at events such as the UVic Senate Meeting and the Vikes Championship breakfast.
Her leadership extends outside the Vikes, as she is a volunteer with Recreation Integration Victoria. This organization has a strong mandate to facilitate active lifestyles for people with disabilities. She works one-on-one with a young woman who is living with cerebral palsy. She initiates recreation activities with the young woman, such as going to the gym, swimming and walking.
On top of her already busy schedule, Pomfret has also been volunteering with Mercy Ships since 2012. She helped a friend get Mercy Ships approved as a club at UVic to raise money for their initiatives. Mercy Ships is a large organization that has doctor ships sailing around Africa doing free surgeries for people who are in incredible need. They also help develop heath, education, agriculture and water in the surrounding communities to help development and decrease risk of HIV/Aids, etc.
Kendra is a great leader on the team with both her athletic achievements, as well as her community service, said Brent Fougner, head coach of the Vikes cross-country and track program. She has been involved with RIV for over two years and it is evident that she is committed to making a difference in the young woman's life with cerebral palsy. As a volunteer with RIV, Mercy Ships and the UVic Varsity Counsel, she is becoming a recognized contributor to the community.
Courtesy UVic athletics
