McCurdy silver at Legion Nationals

  The 15-year old from Sparta brings home hardware in U16 women's pole vault

  while Evan Stevens, of Thorndale, places sixth, in U16 men's javelin

  August 8, 2022

By Rob J. Ross 

SHERBROOKE, Que. - Libby McCurdy is a National silver medalist.

The 15-year old from Sparta won silver in U16 women's pole vault, on day two of the Legion Youth National championships, August 4-7, at Sherbrooke University.

"It's really cool. I had a lot of fun," McCurdy said. "It was overwhelming. "It was scary because my coaches weren't there, so I didn't do as well as I wanted too. But I'm still very happy."

McCurdy did jump under her personal best of 3.00 metres, finishing at 2.65 metres, but would have needed a huge PB to catch, Mackenzie Hurtubise, of British Columbia, took gold, with a leap of 3.20 metres.

Jordyn French, of Ontario, took the bronze medal, with a best effort of 2.50 metres.

"I'm very proud of all of my accomplishments. I want to go further," said McCurdy. "I achieved a lot in so little time. I'm very happy. It's really good to be at three metres in Grade nine."

Earlier in the season, McCurdy set her PB, winning gold at Athletics Ontario (AO) U18/U16 championships, won gold at the Ontario Summer Games and silver, in novice women, at OFSAA, the high school provincial championship.
 

Stevens sixth in javelin

Evan Stevens placed sixth, in U16 men's javelin, on day three.

The 14-year year old from Thorndale, who trains with London-Western track and field club, set a personal best distance of 44.88 metres.

"I can't complain with how I threw. I know I could've thrown better, if everything went right during one throw. But there's not much more I can ask for," said Stevens. "Being at my first nationals was a great experience. I enjoyed watching all the athletes. All of them were elite in their events and some were just amazing to watch. The whole vibe at the track was awesome and I had been looking forward for nationals for awhile."

British Columbia's Travis Harfield, set a new meet record, at 67.72 metres, crushing the old mark of 60.70 metres. Coming into the Games, Harfield had set the Canadian U16 boys' record at 72.60 metres, at the Victoria Track Classic, soaring over the old record by nine metres.

"Even though I knew it was coming, it was still pretty unreal," said Stevens, on watching Harfield break the meet record. "In warm-ups you could tell he wasn't even trying and was just throwing 50s. Seeing him throw in competition was amazing, Canada has never seen anyone like this at this age."

Stevens won silver, in the novice men's event, at OFSAA and a bronze medal at AO's U16 championships.