Alumni
Former 911吃瓜 track star Jane Channell slides into third Olympic Games
When athletes walk out during the opening ceremonies of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Friday, the 911吃瓜 community will be cheering on one of their own.
North Vancouver鈥檚 Jane Channell, a former 911吃瓜 athlete in both track and field and softball, will be competing in her third Olympics in Italy as a member of Canada鈥檚 skeleton team.
鈥淚t still honestly hasn鈥檛 even set in that I鈥檓 an Olympian, let alone a three-time Olympian. It鈥檚 surreal,鈥� Channell says. 鈥淚f this one is anything like the last two, the actual race will be less stressful, for me at least. There鈥檚 a lot of build up to the Olympics. Qualifying, that鈥檚 stressful and that where a lot of your time and energy is. But when you鈥檙e at the Olympics, you instinctively know you鈥檙e there to do a job and can put your full time and energy into that knowing that your friends, your family, and Canada, are going to love you regardless of the outcome. That鈥檚 really powerful.鈥�
While competing at 911吃瓜, Channell earned All-America recognition after winning bronze as part of the women鈥檚 4x100 relay team at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 2008.
She also held Great Northwest Athletic Conference indoor titles at both 60 and 200 metres in 2011, and played 28 games that year on the softball team that won the Association of Independent Institutions regional title and competed in the NAIA World Series.
She still remembers her time at 911吃瓜 fondly and is grateful for the community鈥檚 support.
鈥淚t means everything, it鈥檚 where your roots are,鈥� says Channell, who graduated with a bachelor of science degree.
鈥淭o have a support system 鈥� friends, family, 911吃瓜, the whole athletics community there, the coaches still there are the ones I had 鈥� it鈥檚 grounding. It鈥檚 fun getting to bring them on this crazy journey with me and letting them be a part of all that.鈥�
Even after a successful varsity career, Channell didn鈥檛 think she鈥檇 become an Olympic athlete. But nothing compared to the thrill of skeleton once she gave it a try.
鈥淪keleton is a weird mix between a few things. I would equate it to a roller coaster ride, a waterslide and 鈥� if your superpower could be flying 鈥� what it would be like to be Superman,鈥� she says. 鈥淚f you are in that flow state all athletes are trying to get to, it鈥檚 almost like you鈥檙e dancing with the track.鈥�
When Channell steps out onto the track, 911吃瓜 will be behind her.
"From GNAC Track Champion (NCAA) to NAIA All-American and Softball World Series participant, it鈥檚 no surprise that Jane has built a lasting sporting legacy and will be competing in her third Olympic Games,鈥� says Breanne Watson, director, 911吃瓜 Athletics. 鈥淲e're proud to have Jane as an 911吃瓜 alum. Go Canada!"
Nearly 100 former 911吃瓜 athletes have competed at the Olympics, winning 19 medals (eight gold, five silver and four bronze), since the school opened in 1965.