Most decorated OFSAA athlete
Nine medals has Katie Beaudry number one for Dorchester
PCI's Sparenberg sixth in discus, after silver in javelin
By Rob J. Ross
Saturday, June 3, 2017
BELLEVILLE, Ont. - As Katie Beaudry crossed the finish line for the senior women's 400-metre hurdles race, it signalled the conclusion of one of the
most remarkable athletic
careers at Lord Dorchester Secondary school.
Beaudry will graduate having earned nine medals from OFSAA track and field - four gold, two silver and three bronze. She also has a hat trick of fourth
place finishes including the
400-metre hurdles race today.
The LDSS athlete led Elgin County and Dorchester competitors, who combined for five top 11 results, on day three of the provincial high school meet,
at Mary-Anne Stills Park.
Anij Sparenberg placed sixth in midget women's discus (28.99 metres), a day after a silver medal in javelin. Her Parkside CI team-mate, Jared Parkin
was also sixth, in midget
men's discus (41.99m). Both throwers are coached by
Kyle Rolph.
East Elgin Eagle Oakley Potter was 10th in junior men's javelin (47.24 metres) and Dorchester's Victoria Quance, 11th, junior women's pole vault
(2.65m).
Complete OFSAA results.
Three years ago, Beaudry bust on to the high school scene, topping her freshman year by winning the midget women's high jump and taking bronze in the 300-metre hurdles at OFSAA. Then Katie joined fellow grade nine stand-outs, her sister, Megan and Megan Dunn, along with senior Morgan Hendriks, to win the school's first OFSAA open women's 4x400-metre relay race title.
This year marks the fourth consecutive appearance at OFSAA, for the Beaudrys and Dunn. Their careers are highlighted by the 4x400-metre relay gold medals in 2014 and 2016, which sandwiched a silver medal in 2015.
Not to mention in all the success at the Thames Valley Region (TVRA), WOSSAA and OFSAA West regional meets. That list would fill a novel.
The Beaudrys first met Dunn playing on the same minor soccer team, while at the time attending different schools.
"It's been a really good ride," expressed Katie. "In elementary school, we kept waiting until the day we would be at the same school and do relays together. When that happened, we actually ended up doing really well. We bonded and became best friends."
Katie's OFSAA medal collection includes a medal of each colour from high jump, winning the event in grade nine and grade 11. But it is the 4x4 relay that stands out for Katie.
"Even though it's fun doing your individual events, I think my highlight is when we won the 4x4, especially last year as it was with Dana," Katie said. "It's the big highlight of my career."
For hurdles, Katie has the bronze, plus two fourth place finishes. The only year she missed the hurdles final was last year, when she tripped on a hurdle, at the OFSAA West regional and never qualified for OFSAA.
Lastly, Katie has a bronze medal from last year and this year's fourth place, in the senior women's 4x100-metre relay race.
"OFSAA is always a fun time," said Katie. "It's been a blast."
That includes this year, even though a hamstring injury put her track and field season in doubt.
"I did well for not practising or working out that much, so I'm happy with what I got (silver, pair of fourths). That's way better than what I thought because I wasn't sure I would even do track this year. I'm really happy with that."
Second on the LDSS list for most medals is Ruth Pugh, who nearly 40 years ago, collected six OFSAA medals over high school days, including three gold medals in long jump.
Megan Beaudry also has six
OFSAA medals, four from relays and two bronze medals, in the 400 metres,
as a midget and junior competitor.
"Grade nine and 10, I got third in the 400, so that I'll always
remember, especially now looking at all the girls and thinking I
actually beat some of them and got a medal, said Megan, who finished
eighth this year in the senior 400-metre final.
Similar to her sister, Megan overcame a hamstring injury to return to OFSAA and run in two event finals, the 400 and the 4x100-metre relay.
"I was happy to be in the (400m) final. It's really competitive," said Megan, who points to the relay as her most memorable moment.
"The relays were a fun time and I loved running with everyone. I'll always remember that."
Dunn has four OFSAA medals, all from the relays, although she has came close to medalling in her individual events over the years. As a junior, Dunn finished fourth in the 400 metres and seventh in the 200 metres. Dunn placed sixth in the senior 100-metre hurdles this year.
"I made it here all four years. All the relays. They were all amazing," a tearful Dunn said. "I'm so happy and so proud of us. I'm happy I did with them (Beaudrys) too."
In September, Dunn heads to Wofford University in South Carolina, while the Beaudrys will be at Western University.
Five additional stellar performances
Sparenberg adds a sixth place in midget women's discus (28.99 metres), to her silver medal in javelin.
"I had a little bit of trouble with my release, but finishing sixth in still pretty good."
Parkin set a personal best distance placing sixth, by hitting the 40-metre mark for his first time, at 41.99 metres, in midget men's discus.
"It's kind of mind-blowing, because I'm kind of top six in Ontario. It's like an honour. It's really cool," said Parkin, who increased his PB three times during the event. "My last throw was a 40. I was really happy. It left my hand really well."
Not bad for starting the season with his thumb in as cast, thanks to a slash during hockey season.
"I could never imagined top six at OFSAA," said Parkin, on a highlight that for him is right there with winning an Ontario Minor Hockey Association major peewee title with the St. Thomas Jr. Stars.
Kyle Rolph coaches both PCI throwers.
"They literally picked up a discus or javelin two months ago and have come top six in the province. I'm really proud of them," said Rolph.
Potter was 10th in junior men's javelin (47.24 metres). Not bad for someone who started throwing this spring, learning the sport by watching You-Tube videos of Olympians.
"I thought it would a cool thing to do. It seemed fun, but I didn't expect to do as well as I did," said Oakley. "I never thought I would be here. At the start of the year I threw 28 (metres)."
Here at OFSAA, Oakley's best throw was just 15 centimetres off his personal best distance of 47.39 metres.
Quance, bothered by a nasty cross wind on the run to the mat, tied for the eighth best height jumped. But having one more missed attempt at previous heights than three other vaulters pushed her back to 11th.
"I'm not happy that I didn't get a PB (and) my goal was top 10," said Quance, who set her personal best of 2.75 metres, at the OFSAA West regional.
Disappointed not jumping higher at OFSAA, Quance did achieve her goal of returning to the meet, after placing 12th a year ago.
"Getting here made my whole year. I PB'd by a lot at regionals and that's what got me here," Quance said. "The West is really tough to get out of."
Vaulters from the West region took four of the top 11 positions, including the gold medal, won by Lauren Hurrell, from London St. Andrew Bessette (3.25m).