University of Manitoba star capped dominant collegiate career with national title
Dawson Mann’s track career is headed to the international stage.
The Sanford local and University of Manitoba Bisons middle-distance runner has been named to Team Canada for the 2025 FISU World University Games in Bochum, Germany, where he’ll compete in the 800 metres. The athletics portion of the event runs from July 21–27, 2025.
As a fifth-year athlete, Mann, 5’ 11” has built one of the most impressive resumes in Bisons track and field history. He captured national gold in the 600 metres at this year’s U SPORTS championships, and is one of just two men in program history to run the event in under 1:17—joining legendary Canadian runner Byron Goodwin in the elite club.
Over his university career, Mann has collected 18 U SPORTS and Canada West medals and played a key role in the Bisons’ four consecutive conference team titles. He became the first athlete in more than 30 years to compete in all three relay events—4×200, 4×400 and 4×800—in a single season, and was named Manitoba’s Male Team MVP for his outstanding contributions.
He also took home the 800m title at last summer’s Canadian Track and Field League Championship, competing against some of the country’s top runners.
“My second year when we won our first title, I scored maybe a point or two for the team. I didn’t feel like I really earned it,” Mann told U of M’s Mike Still. “But getting to know more people on the team and being more a part of this group and seeing how well we’ve done, it’s exciting to keep it going year after year.”
Known for his consistency and work ethic, Mann has shown remarkable range in events from 300m to 1000m, and his leadership on and off the track has earned him praise from coaches and teammates alike.
“I like racing, and I want to do it as much as I can,” said Mann. “The 600 has been my event through university. I think with all the training I’ve done and the experience with the races, it’s just sort of spread out to the other events as well.”
Mann will now represent Canada on one of the biggest stages in university sport, capping off a remarkable collegiate career with an international debut.
By Annaliese Meier, with files from Mike Still, Bison Sports
