Hallman double WOSSAA gold

 

   Sets Dorchester school records in junior men's 1500 and 800

   St. Joe's Gasper and Van Gorp surprise in novice javelin

 

May 26, 2024

 

 

 

 

By Rob J. Ross 

LONDON, Ont. - Kirk Hallman keeps knocking off seconds in his races and times from the school record books.

The Dorchester Beavers runner finished first in the junior men's 3000 metres (9:18.74) and 1500 metres, a new school record of four minutes and 10.40 seconds (4:10.40), at WOSSAA (Western Ontario) track and field, May 23-24 at Western University.

Hallman also lowered his school's best time finishing second in the 800 metres (1:59.92), behind a meet record time of 1:57.95, by Ryan Georgeson of Medway high school.

"The two minute mark is a big milestone for the 800," Hallman said. "I had no idea that breaking two minutes was a possibility for me, since I was only trying to break 2:03 and get the school record. Going 1:59 is 10 seconds faster than my Grade nine PB, exactly one year ago, so it's awesome to see the progress I've made in a year."

However Hallman is dropping the 800, to focus on the 1500 and 3000, at the OFSAA West regional, May 31-June 1 at Windsor.

Hallman dropped his school's 1500 record by five seconds, knocking Patrick Deane and his 4:15.38 from 2010, from the books. His 800 time erases Sam Willsie's time of 2:03.29, set two years ago. Don't feel bad for Willsie, the Grade 12 student set school records in the senior boys 200-metre dash (23.21 sec.) and 400 metre dash (50.83 sec.), at TVRA May 16-17.

Workouts with London Western Club have benefited Hallman in all three races.

"We have reduced our base and strength training and started implementing more speed work. This has allowed us to bring down our times each week as our speed increases," said the resident of Thorndale.

The top five in each event advance to the OFSAA West regional. From there, the top four qualify for OFSAA, the provincial high school championships back at Western, June 6-8.

 

 

LOCAL REGIONAL QUALIFIERS                                                   COMPLETE WOSSAA RESULTS                                                     OFSAA WEST REGIONAL

 

 

Five additional athletes from St. Thomas-Elgin and Dorchester won WOSSAA gold.

St. Joseph's Rams Promise Atkinson set a PB distance of 5.02 metres landing with the gold medal in senior women's long jump.

"Feels good and it's nice to get over five. I was not expecting to get that far. I ws shocked. My first jump was 4.85, then I had a couple faults," said Atkinson. "My run was really off. I had to move back so that was a little bit annoying because I faulted two of my jumps. Then I was working more on throwing the jump instead of just going up."

Atkinson faulted two of her first three jumps, but landed her PB in round five, edging Sarah McKie, of London Aquinas, by one centimetre and Phoebe Sinke of London Christian High. The top five were only separated by six centimetres. Without her 5.02, Atkinson would have placed seventh.

East Elgin Eagles' Taylor Kana took senior women's javelin with a best throw of 37.22m.

"I'm battling a shoulder injury, so we've (coach Kyle Rolph) been trying a lot of different things," said the Grade 11 athlete. "What really saved me was my fast rep, getting it through from behind my body to out in front fast."

Kana is also a back catcher for the UTM 2K7 fastball team from the Guelph area, so her shoulder sees a lot of action. In fact, right after she throws javelin at Windsor, Kana is heading to a ball tournament in Ohio.

In hopes of qualifying for her third OFSAA appearance, Kana is cleaning up her technique.

"I'm pulling down on the javelin which is making it fly awkward. I'm really trying to focus on getting more straight for it to fly, so it can just glide," said Kana.

Kana has won bronze at OFSAA twice, both as a junior and novice competitor.

Rams Max Gasper and Lucas Van Gorp, surprised everyone including themselves, finishing one-two, in novice men's javelin with PB throws of 41.65m and 41.11m, respectively.

"It's really exciting especially because I didn't even expect to make it pass WOSSAA after coming seventh at TVRA," said Gasper. "We were just super thrilled to be throwing that far and to know that we are capable of doing so and definitely surprised the competition. We heard, these guys didn't even throw 30 last week. how are they throwing 40."

It wasn't Wheaties cereal or a sudden growth spurt behind Gasper and Van Gorp improving their PBs by over 13 metres.

"The only thing that we made a change to was the javelin," said Gasper. "It just felt better when I threw it."

Gasper is now glad Van Gorp convinced him to throw the spear this year.

"It was very surprising," admits Gasper, "but I didn't fully understand how big of a deal it was at first, until a bunch of people were coming up to me during the day congratulating me."

Also winning gold, Rams' David Anderson, in senior men's shot put (13.42m) and Matt Piekny, senior men's pole vault (4.20m).

Dorchester Beavers Ryan Johnson was 100 metres away from a gold medal, leading the open men's 2000 metre steeplechase, but was passed by London Central Myles Nazarewicz.

"I thought I needed to go out quick and try to hold it, but second is good enough for me to move on to OFSAA west," said Johnson, who finished in six minutes and 34.89 seconds (6:34.89). Nazarewicz won in 6:30.47.

"I PB'd by like seven seconds, so I'm not mad about that," Johnson said. "I felt strong through the first three laps, Then I clipped one (hurdle) and I had to step on it and I just got into that habit and couldn't get out of it. It slowed me down."

Johnson is one of 13 Beavers heading to Windsor for 19 events.

Will Downing set Dorchester school records, placing second in both the novice men's 100 (15.09 sec.) and 300 (43.51 sec.) metre hurdles.

"One person that impressed me in particular is Will Downing," said Hallman. "He broke a long-standing school record and qualified for OFSAA West. He has been working hard, rarely missing a practice, and deserves the success he has achieved so far."

Savannah Vannoord is heading to regionals, but not in the event she would have figured when the season started. In only her second time racing the event, Vannoored finished fifth in novice women's 300-metre hurdles (50.17 sec.).

"I haven't even practiced it, but I felt comfortable with it," Vannord said. "Out of the blocks, it wasn't great start. I think I started a little too fast. As it went on, I got a little more confident. I didn't finish where I wanted to, but I'm still glad I qualified."

In her primary event, the 80 metre hurdles, the St. Joseph's Ram placed seventh (14.32 sec.).

"I only ever did short (hurdles). (Coach) Harry (Stantsos) wanted me to try something new. Since I never had done it, it's pretty crazy that I qualified," Vannoord said.

St. Joseph's Rams Ethan Atkinson qualified in three events, novice men's pole vault, high jump and 80-metre hurdles.

"My goal is to make it to OFSAA and hopefully I do in one of my events," said Ethan.

His sister, Promise, knows Ethan has the talent to achieve his goal.

"He's always been crazy athletic, so I'm not surprised," Promise said. "I'm happy for him."

St. Joe's sends 11 athletes to regionals, including Flourish Nmor, who qualified in the junior women's 400, 800 and 1500 metres.

The Tunks sisters, Julia and Jenna, from London Oakridge, continue to rewrite the record book.

Julia increased her Canandian high school record in discus to 56.72m and also added to her senior women's record in shot put, to 14.80m.

Jenna set new WOSSAA bests in both novice women's shot put (14.00m) and discus (44.87m).

Noah Mitoraj of London Aquinas set the new WOSSAA mark in junior men's shot put of 18.28 metres. Dorchester's Andrew Urquhart held the record for five minutes, with his PB of 18.09 metres. Both broke Wingham Madill's Ryan Jacklin's 2018 distance of 17.63 metres.

 

 

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    St. Thomas-Elgin & Dorchester results (Regional qualifiers - top five - in Bold)

 

CENTRAL ELGIN     DORCHESTER     EAST ELGIN     PARKSIDE     ST. JOE'S     WEST ELGIN

 

 

Westbrook

    CENTRAL ELGIN

Westbrook and Bascombe to Windsor.

Senior women: Emma Westbrook, 4th, javelin (31.79m), 9th, 800m (2:39.23), 11th, shot put (8.38m).

Junior men:  Malaki Bascombe, 3rd, high jump (1.75m PB), 9th, long jump (5.38m); Dollan Brown, 7th, discus (37.81m), 7th, shot put (12.25m); Fletcher Taylor, 8th, long jump (5.55m), 10th, high jump (1.60m).

 

    DORCHESTER

Hallman breaks two school records running to gold twice.

Senior women: Mya Steller, 7th, 400m hurdles (1:14.50), 12th, 100m hurdles (18.18 sec.); Julia Devine, 7th, high jump (1.50m), 17th, triple jump (8.82m); Emily Devine, 9th, triple jump (9.64m); Keeley Van Horne, 9th, 3000m (12:09.90), 10th, 800m (2:42.38); Claire White, 9th, pole vault (2.30m).

Senior men:  Evan Stevens, 5th, pole vault (3.45m), 5th, javelin (45.29m), Brayden Smith, 3rd, triple jump (12.39m); Sam Willsie, 3rd, 400m hurdles (58.91 PB), 4th, 400m (51.25 sec.), 6th, 200m (23.30 sec.); Aaron Pranger, 11th, javelin (37.47m); Ryan Johnson, 6th, 3000m (9:18.72 PB); 4x100 relay, 7th (45.09 sec.); Zachary Dossantos, 8th, 200m (23.46 sec.) advances due to scratches; Luke Bradish, 10th, high jump (1.70m); Grant Hallman, 12th, 110m hurdles (17.57 sec.), 16th, 400m hurdles (1:07.21).

Junior men: Kirk Hallman, 1st, 3000 (9:18.74) , 1st, 1500 (4:10.40 PB), 2nd, 800 (1:59.92 PB); Andrew Urquhart, 2nd, shot put (record 18.09m PB), 4th, discus (41.52m); River Neveu, 3rd, triple jump (11.71m PB); Ryan Pranger, 5th, javelin (41.19m PB); Hendrix Zupancic, 9th, discus (36.55m)

Novice men: Will Downing, 2nd, 100m hurdles (15.09 sec.), 2nd, 300m hurdles (43.51 sec. PB); Kian Schindler, 6th, discus (35.42m), 12th, 100m hurdles (19.10); Trace Pettit, 13th, 400m (58.63 sec.)

Novice women: Clara Steller, 3rd, javelin (25.89m PB); Aisha Medina, 4th, pole vault (2.20m PB), 9th, 300m hurdles (53.62 sec.); Ava Stahle, 3rd, discus (21.62m) PB, 11th, shot put (8.25m); Jordin Stevens, 6th, javelin (23.67m); 4x1 relay, 9th (55.99 sec.)

Open men: Ryan Johnson, 2nd, 2000m steeplechase (6:34.89 PB); 4x4 relay, 11th (3:41.72).

  

    EAST ELGIN

Kana senior women's javelin champ.

Senior women: Taylor Kana, 1st, javelin (37.97m); Darah Farrow, 5th, javelin (30.44m), 10th, discus (23.48m); Reece Laidlaw, 10th, javelin (23.09m);

Junior women: Sophie Nagelhout, 8th, 400m (1:05.07), 10th, 800m (2:39.93).

Junior men: Henry Scott, 2nd, 100m (11.36 sec.), 3rd, 200m (23.26 sec.); 4x100m relay (Scott, Morgan Siemens, Joey Yaw), 4th, 46.26 sec.); Morgan Siemens, 10th, 200m (24.40 sec.)

Novice women: Kiersten Kent, 11th, long jump (4.07m);

Novice men: Benji Gould, 4th, 3000m (10:29.56 PB), 9th, 1500m (4:51.63), 10th, 800m (2:23.36).

 

    PARKSIDE

Stanat second twice again, no surprise to Tunks.

Senior men: Merrick Rollins, 3rd, javelin (46.83m), 6th, discus (34.10m); Andrew Monteith, 4th, 800m (2:00.24 PB)

Senior women: Lexi Stanat, 2nd, discus (40.37m), 2nd, shot put (10.30m); Alyssa Gordon, 4th, high jump (1.50m), 10th, long jump (4.64m), 15th, 100m (13.57 sec.); Alexis Gray, 4th, 400m (1:02.17 PB), 12th, 200m (27.55 sec.); Olivia Sutton, 8th, 800m (2:39.93), 13th, 400m (1:06.10).; 4x1 relay, 11th (53.61 sec.); Maya Minielly, 13th, high jump (1.35m);  

Novice men: Cole Surmacz, 11th, discus, 31.96m.                  

Novice men: Hayden Craig, 4th, 800m (2:14.25 PB), 5th, 400m (55.96 sec. PB); Riis Al Faiadhi, 7th, 200m (25.40 sec.), 10th, 400m (57.10 sec.).

Open women: Audrey Ferguson, 8th, 2000m steeplechase (9:00..07 PB)

 

    ST. JOE'S

Gasper and Van Gorp, from back of the pack to one-two in javelin.

Senior men: Matt Piekny, 1st, pole vault (4.20m), 5th, 110m hurdles (15.93 sec.); David Anderson, 1st, shot put (13.42m), 4th, discus (36.49m); Noah Pollnow, 10th, discus (32.44m); Fowler Little, 10th, 1500m (4:19.55 PB), 8th, 800m (2:05.59 PB); Ty Emre, 10th, 3000m (10:03.12)

Senior women: Promise Atkinson, 1st, long jump (5.02m PB), 3rd, pole vault (3.30m PB); Libby McCurdy, 2nd, pole vault (3.40m), 6th, long jump (4.92m PB); Mara Kemmerling, 5th, 100m hurdles (15.97 sec.); Sarah Vanvelzer, 13th, javelin (23.09m); Brooklyn Hewitt, 7th, javelin (25.82m)

Junior men: Shawn Okorhi, 6th, high jump (1.60m); Luke McKillop, 8th, 3000m (10:34.32).

Junior women: Flourish Nmor, 3rd, 800m (2:27.32 PB), 4th, 400m (1:03.38), 5th, 1500m (5:21.57 PB); Sarah Foley, 3rd, high jump (1.50m PB); Emily Blackhall, 13th, high jump (1.30m); Claire Caslick, 12th, 300m hurdles (57.76 sec.), 10th, 1500m (5:47.55); Natalie Siviero, 10th, shot put (7.95m);

Novice women: Savanna Vannoord, 5th, 300m hurdles (50.17 sec.); 7th, 80m hurdles (14.32 sec.), 10th, 200m (28.77 sec,); Makenna Evangelino, 8th, 800m (2:41.12); Ava Adzija, 7th, shot put (8.80m PB), 8th, discus (18.34m); 4x1 relay, 6th (56.09 sec.)

Novice men: Ethan Atkinson, 3rd, pole vault (2.90m), 4th, 300m hurdles (45.11 sec,), 5th, high jump (1.60m); 4x1 relay, 7th (50.15 sec.); Max Gasper, 1st, javelin (41.65m PB); Lucas Van Gorp, 2nd, javelin (41.11m); Luke McKillop, 11th, 3000m (11:01.08), 14th, 1500m, 4:55.83; Demarco Maitland, 8th, 200m (25.58 sec.).

Intellectually Impaired men: Diego Alban-Gasca, 8th, 100m (15.92 sec.)

Open men: 4x4 relay, 13th (3:44.77)

 

    WEST ELGIN

Open men: Daniel Barnes, 8th, 2000m steeplechase (7:07.69 PB).

Senior men: Daniel Barnes, 8th, 3000m (9:48.99 PB).

  

    MEDWAY (Thorndale residents)

Senior men: Carter Froggett, 1st, javelin, 51.29m

 

 

 

 

        rob@hometownplay.ca