Before becoming a two-time U SPORTS high jump champion and Team Canada athlete, Aiden Grout was a kid from Pitt Meadows, BC. He took up track and field in hopes of becoming a faster soccer player. High jump quickly became his calling, carrying him from local meets to the international stages. Grout recently sat down in an interview with The Varsity and discussed his roots, the importance of balance as a student-athlete, and why keeping the sport fun has been pivotal to his success.
Grout recently graduated from U of T with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sciences and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Sustainability Management. He cites time management and balance as the keys to navigating life as a high-performing student and athlete.
“It requires a lot more diligence… switching from undergrad into a Master’s program was definitely a big adjustment.” He continued, “We plan out each [training] session more carefully and find different ways to make use of time effectively, and so I feel like with athletics, it boosts my performance there.”
This sense of structure was deeply influenced by the culture around him. His coaches reminded athletes that they were students first and athletes second, and put in extended hours to design individualized programs to help their athletes fulfill their goals. Surrounded by teammates who excelled in the classroom, Grout found that discipline contagious. As he put it simply, “academic success translates to athletic success.”
Although the busy schedule demands hard work, Grout invites the challenge and thrives in the environment around him. He earned the title of U SPORTS top scholar athlete for the 2023–2024 season, which is awarded to student-athletes who have excelled both academically and athletically.
Grout has contributed greatly to the success of U of T’s track and field program. In addition to his two national titles, he took second place at his other two appearances at the U SPORTS Championships. He also claimed gold at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championships three years in a row from 2022–2024. Most recently, Grout represented Canada at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, where he placed ninth.
Despite international success, Grout gives flowers to his roots. Sports ran in the family. His parents were both Team Canada athletes, with his mom playing netball and his dad playing rugby. Consequently, he grew up to be a competitor, wanting to “win in everything [he] could.” Pursuing soccer excellence, Grout was in fifth grade when his parents entered him in “basically every [track and field] event.” Like many children growing up, he dreamed of being like Usain Bolt, but those dreams seemed far off when he finished last in his first 100 metre dash.
He recalled his first time high jumping, placing “fifth or sixth” in the meet. But more importantly, it was the event in which he had the most fun. This inspired him to sign up for further meets, and as Grout exclaimed, “the rest was history!”
He credits two coaches as pivotal toward his journey. Kevin Harrison, head coach for BC’s Langley Mustangs track club, who served as his primary mentor and launchpad, while Carl Georgevski, U of T track and field head coach, recruited Grout and helped nurture him into the superstar he is today. These early experiences, combined with the guidance of his mentors, helped shape not just his technique, but the mindset he carries into every jump — one that’s rooted in focus, fun, and balance.
Grout highlighted that one of the most integral parts of high jump is the mental preparation that goes behind every repetition and performance, where each subsequent attempt is increasingly important.
“You only have three attempts at each bar height, and you know… you’re looking at a bar that’s way above your head. You’re like, how am I going to get over this?” Grout shared that his “edge” to succeed in these high-pressure situations is simply to make sure that he’s having fun. This is a principle that has truly guided Grout through his experience as both a U of T student and an athlete. After all, high jump is just another game, and as he explains, “if you’re not having fun, then you’re not going to be in the right headspace [to want to] jump high.”
He also goes back to the idea of balance, where his academics help to keep his mind focused and ensure peak athletic performance. Likewise, the camaraderie amongst his teammates and his fellow competitors alike has helped Grout tremendously, inspiring him to aim higher — all while having fun and making lifelong friendships along the way.
Heading into his final year as a U of T athlete, Grout is focused on assuming a veteran role on the track team, pushing his peers to become their best selves. After nursing an injury last season, he is fully healthy and ready to get back to winning medals, potentially competing in multiple events, and creating a memorable end to his U of T career.
Grout leaves a simple message for his peers and younger athletes: “Nothing’s ever too serious. Just go out there and have some fun… the term YOLO is kind of old, but I definitely try to live by ‘you only live once.’ ” Through accolades and international recognition, Grout has kept his foundation and his community close to him, and he urges everyone to do the same. You only live once, so take every opportunity, reach as high as you can, and enjoy the ride.
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