Four hours, three events, two medals

 Katie Beaudry brings home OFSAA silver in the 4x4 and bronze in high jump

Saturday, June 5, 2015

By Rob J. Ross

TORONTO, ON. - Katie Beaudry glanced around the infield, took a breath, exhaled and calmly expressed, "It's finally over".

The 16-year Lord Dorchester Secondary school athlete had reason to be exhausted following three events within four hours, at the top track and field meet of the high school season, the OFSAA championships, at Varsity Stadium.

In that time period, Beaudry landed with a bronze medal in junior women's high jump (1.60 metres), finished fourth in the junior women's 300-metre hurdles (a personal best time of 44.14 seconds) and ran a leg on the LDSS silver medal winning open women's 4x400-metre relay team.

To begin the final day of the three day meet, this year held at Varsity Stadium, June 4-6, Beaudry had the hurdle heats, where she posted the fastest qualifying time of 44.19 seconds.

"I was literally running from one event to the other," said Beaudry. "I had to mentally prepare myself that it would be difficult day. I'm happy I pushed through."

Two familiar faces were against Beaudry in high jump.

London Christian's Emily Branderhorst and Chelsea Hayden, from Arva Medway have jumped against Beaudry since the Thames Valley Region Tri-County conference meet, last year.

"Chelsey and Emily, we're usually together and we've become friends," said Beaudry.

Beaudry won Tri-county, WOSSAA and regionals, but Branderhorst was the best of the trio at OFSAA, winning the silver medal.

Haley Adams, from Kanata All Saints, won the tiebreaker (less overall missed attempts) against Branderhorst, for the gold medal, after both cleared 1.63 metres, but missed attempting 1.66.

All four required a third and final attempt to clear 1.60 metres, a height which did eliminate four other competitors.

For Beaudry, having her events usually scheduled on the same day has become a regular occurrence. Yet the 16-year old has persevered while ensuring her first appearance as a midget competitor a year ago was not her only trip to OFSAA.

"I'm happy that I did this well. After how I did last year (won midget high jump, third in midget 300-metre hurdles, member of golden 4x4 relay team), I didn't think I could ever live up to that," Beaudry said. "There is a lot more competition in the events I do. There are people who are just amazing."

Beaudry is among those amazing.