Brings down two Dorchester marks that stood for 40-plus years
April 30, 2023
By Rob J. Ross
LONDON, Ont. - Andrew Urquhart didn't wait long to rewrite the Dorchester Beavers' track and field record book.
In the first outdoor meet of the high school season, Urquhart broke his school record for boys shot put, while setting new marks for junior boys in shot put and discus, at the Forest City Mustang Invitational April 25 at Western University.
Urquhart placed second in shot put (16.86 metres) behind winner Noah Mitraj of London Aquinas (17.08m) and third in discus (43.20m), won by
With a toss of 16.86 metres, Urquhart crushed his school's old junior record of 14.16 metres set by Mark Vandenbosh in 1979 and surpassed the senior record of 14.96 metres by Mike Dye in 1977.
"I was feeling good. It came off my hand really well," said Urquhart. "I've been working on keeping my weight back as long as possible so I can use more of my whole body in the throw."
Urquhart also took down Paul Vandenbosh's junior boys discus mark of 42.92m, set in 1977, with a measurement of 43.20 metres.
The Grade 10 student isn't far off the senior discus record of 43.32 metres, held by Mark Vandenbosh in 1980.
"It feels good, but I still think I have more in me," said Urquhart. "My goal is to beat my placement from OFSAA last year."
Last June, Urquhart placed fourth in novice boys shot put with a best effort of 13.93 metres, at OFSAA, the high school provincial championships.
With the calendar still in April, Urquhart has basically the entire season to extend his records, therefore there is a hold on replacing the plates on the school record plaque.
Joining Urquhart as event winner were other athletes.
Lexi Stanat from Parkside CI, won senior women's discus throwing 35.94 metres and placed second in shot put, with a best effort of 10.46m.
Matt Piekny, of St. Joe's, won senior men's pole vault (4.15m) and placed second in the 110-metre hurdles (16.04 seconds).
Henry Scott, East Elgin Eagles, won the junior boys 100-metre dash in 11.70 seconds and finished fifth in the 400 metres (54.95 sec.).
Aiden Ward, from Parkside, won the junior boys 100-metre hurdles (15.06 sec.).
Libby McCurdy, St. Joe's, took senior girls pole vault (3.30m) and placed fifth in long jump (4.60m).
Taylor Kana, East Elgin, set a PB winning senior girls javelin (43.22m).
Clara Steller, Dorchester, took novice girls javelin (26.93m).
Ethan Atkinson, St. Joe's, won novice boys high jump (1.70m).
Liam Turner, Dorchester, landed first in novice boys long jump (5.45m).
Second place performances: Alyssa Gordon, Parkside, senior girls high jump (1.48m) and fifth in long jump (4.60m); Max Gasper, St. Joe's, novice boys javelin (32.84m); Will Downing, Dorchester, novice boys 100m hurdles (16.56 sec.); David Anderson, St. Joe's, senior men's shot put (14.45m) and fifth in discus (36.65m)
Third spot: Ava Stahle, Dorchester, novice girls discus (19.80m), fifth, shot put (8.21m); Kian Schindler, Dorchester, novice boys discus (27.09m); Merrick Rollins, Parkside, senior boys discus (38.08m) and fourth, javelin (41.32m); Darah Farrow, East Elgin, senior girls javelin (32.02m); Riisyn Al Faiadhi, Parkside, novice boys 100m (12.26 sec.); Promise Atkinson, St. Joe's, senior pole vault, 3.00m.
Complete Forest City Mustang meet results.
The Thames Valley Regional championships are May 16-17, followed by WOSSAA, May 23-24, both at Western University and OFSAA West regional, May 30-June 1, in Windsor. OFSAA is June 6-8 at Western.
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