Novice athletes dominate at WOSSAA

 

   Arnold, Williamson, Begemann shine winning gold at track and field

   while Atkinson sets meet record in junior boys pole vault

 

May 25, 2024

 

 

 

 

By Rob J. Ross 

LONDON, Ont. - It may have been their first WOSSAA meet, but that did not stop several novice athletes from excelling at the area championship.

Parkside Stampeders Mehkai Arnold and Amy Williamson each won two novice events, while Arnold, Williamson and East Elgin Eagles Louisa Begeman, all move on in three events, from WOSSAA track and field, May 22-23, at Western University.

Arnold won gold in novice boys discus and javelin and finished third in shot put.

Williamson won both novice girls long (4.95m) and triple (10.29m) jumps and finished fourth in the 100 metre dash.

Begeman won novice girls discus (29.35m) and placed third in javelin (26.48m) and fifth in shot put (9.45m).

In addition, there was Dorchester Beavers Ava Ridley placing fourth in novice girls pole vault, Curtis Willick finishing second in both the novice boys 800 and 1500 metre races and West Elgin Wildcats Reece Burke, fourth in novice boys 300-metre hurdles.

Both of Parkside's novice 4x100-metre relay teams finished fourth. The boys are Jack Moore, Charlie Halpenny, Nathan Campbell, Max Surmacz and the ladies, Hannah Kish, Amy Williamson, Cadence Baitz, Cadence Quin.

The top six in each event advance to the OFSAA West regional, May 29-30, at Western. The top four at regionals move on to OFSAA, the provincial high school championships, June 5-7 at York University in Toronto.

 

Arnold finds his event

Coming in to the spring high school season, Mehkai Arnold was looking for a sport but felt some weren't for him.

"Seeing that I'm a bigger kid, I knew I wasn't going to be a runner, but I wanted to do as many sports as I can," said Arnold.

That's when senior Jayden Sargeart suggested to the six-foot one inch Arnold, who played football with the Parkside Stampeders junior team, to look at the throwing events in track and field.

"My first meet I was extremely nervous, because I didn't know how I was going to match up against the other kids," recalls Arnold. "I started getting first placements and all the nerves went away."

At the opening meet of the season, Arnold won discus (36.40m) by six metres and placed third in shot put.

All throughout this season, his grandpa, Dave Walmsley has been there.

"He's trained me since I was really young, with weights and stuff," said Arnold. "I'm glad he's able to watch."

Arnold also went out to a practice with Canadian Olympian discus thrower Jason Tunks, who offered a few tips and, "a couple tweaks here and there made a huge difference how far it (discus) was able to soar (at WOSSAA)."

Now the graduate from Elgin Court elementary eyes OFSAA.

"I didn't really expect to make it this far, so I'm happy and excited to see where this goes," said Arnold.
 

Williamson set a PB of 10.29 metres taking the triple jump title and had best leap of 4.75 metres in long jump.

"I'm really excited and happy and (PBs) really motivate me to get further," said Williamson. "I definitely surprised myself. In triple now, I'm getting 10 (metres) on an average jump so that's really good."

A long jump PB of 5.10 metres was set a week earlier at the TVRA meet.

The graduate of Mitchell Hepburn elementary credits coach Harry Stantsos for success early in her high school career.

"He's taught me to patience myself in the air when I do jumps and not to worry about my last jump, just jump the one I'm doing," Williamson said. "I feel I can do even better, so I'll keep practising."

Williamson posted a time of 13.33 seconds placing fourth in the 100 final, following a PB of 13.33 second in prelims.

Not all novice

Senior and juniors didn't let the first year athletes take all the glory.

Taylor Kana has been nursing a sore back this season, but that didn't prevent the East Elgin Eagle from taking senior girls javelin gold, by almost six metres, with a throw of 40.32 metres.

"I'm happy. It's my last season so hopefully I can put whatever I have left out and do my best," said Kana. ""My back still hurts, but honestly 40 with a injury is good. I won't complain about it but I hope it gets better for next week. I feel I'm holding myself back because I don't want to hurt my back more."

Kana doesn't see much rest playing competitive fast pitch on weekends, an utility player and top hitter with UTM.

This fall Kana heads to St. Clair College in Windsor for the Protection, Security and Investigation program and the Saints' softball team.

Kana holds the junior girls WOSSAA record of 39.40 metres set in 2023.

St. Joe's Rams Ethan Atkinson set a meet record of 4.20 metres winning junior boys pole vault.

The Beavers won four gold, with Ryan Johnson winning open boys steeplechase, Aisha Medina, junior girls pole vault, Aiden Hartmann, junior boys long jump and Will Downing, junior boys 100-metre hurdles.

Since runners were already wet due to rainfall, the water hazard

"I had a goal pace of 76 (seconds), but our first lap was more like 68. It was a little too fast starting out, but we were all excited to run," Johnson said. I ran solid and I'm moving on, so that's all that really matters."

Running consistent laps will be key for advancing from the regional meet, says Johnson.

"Last year I did not have a good OFSAA West, but this year I'm hoping for a change. I have to get my laps more consistent," Johnson points out. "My other races have been pretty even, but this one (WOSSAA) was fast to slow. I'd rather run slow to fast. Maybe go out a little slower at OFSAA West and catch some people."

Johnson finished third in the senior boys 3000 metres, behind teammate Kirk Hallman and Alex Leinweber from Mother Theresa.

After a year away from the sport, Aiden Hartmann has returned to the sand pits in a big way, capturing the junior boys long jump title with a best leap of 5.77 metres and placing third in triple jump (12.26m).

"Feels good. A lot of hard work put in and a big sigh of relief knowing I've moved on," Hartmann. "I had lower expectations of how I was gonna do, then how I am doing. I wouldn't say it was a surprise. I was confident in my abilities from the invitational meets. It was really at those meets I was surprised.

Hartmann didn't compete in Grade nine, allowing sore knees time to recover.

The Grade 10 returned in a big way, winning long jump (6.22m) at the opening meet April 24th at Western, followed by a first place in triple jump (12.39m) a week later in Woodstock. At the TVRA championships, Hartmann won long jump (5.96m) and placed second in triple (12.82m).

"I'm expecting to qualify for OFSAA and hoping I get a medal at least,' Hartmann said.

Downing won the 100 hurdles in a PB time of 14.37 seconds and finished second in the 300-metre hurdles in 42.28 seconds, just behind Mother Teresa's Zenon Groch's 42.17 seconds.

"Not a bad race. New PB. I'll take it any day," Downing said of his 100 hurdles. "My heat wasn't great, but I battled back (in the final). Conditions weren't the best (rain), but overall it wasn't too bad."

Downing credits his new coach this year, hurdles guru coach Harry Stantsos, for his improved form over the hurdles and PB times.

"Harry, has helped me a lot. I'll give credit to him for this one (win) for sure," Downing said.

 

                                                 COMPLETE WOSSAA RESULTS 

 

St. Thomas Legion track and field club coach Harry Stantsos saw his athlete, Breanna Sloetjes, with Strathroy District, win senior girls high jump (1.65m) and place second in triple jump (10.51m). Breanna's younger brother, Joel, won novice boys high jump (1.64m) and was eighth in triple jump (10.49m).

 

WOSSAA records
 

Jenna Tunks knocked out her older sister, Julia, from the record books in junior girls shot put, with a heave of 14.28 metres. Tunks won discus with a throw of 45.80 metres, but couldn't Julia's 2022 mark of 51.26 metres.

Charlotte Piscione, Woodstock Collegiate, won the girls 2000 metre steeplechase, with a new meet record time of seven minutes and 19.86 seconds (7:19.86), almost four seconds faster than London Central's Elysse Fleming in 2019 (7:23.79).

Both CCH and Banting eclipsed the record time of 43.03 seconds in the senior boys relay, set by Wingham Madill in 2012. CCH won the race in 42.46 seconds, followed by Banting, in 42.83 seconds.

 

 

 

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    Local results (Elgin county schools and Dorchester) West regional qualifiers in bold (top 6 at WOSSAA)

 

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

 

 

    CENTRAL ELGIN

Novice men: Adam Dykstra, 9th, triple jump (10.48m), 8th, long jump (5.32m)

Junior men:  Philipp Ludwig, 11th, triple jump (10.88m)

Senior men:  Fletcher Taylor, 12th , long jump (5.50m)

 

    DORCHESTER BEAVERS

 Downing, Johnson, Medina, Hartman, win events.

Senior men:  Andrew Urquhart, 2nd, discus (44.54m), 2nd, shot put (14.54m); Kirk Hallman, 2nd, 1500m (4:03.00), 2nd, 3000m (9:04.58); Ryan Johnson, 3rd, 1500m (4:18.84), 3rd, 3000m (9:13.86);  Evan Stevens, 4th, javelin (43.57m); Luke Bradish, 5th, high jump (1.75m); Devan Lucas, 6th , 110m hurdles (16.56 sec.), 9th, 400m hurdles (1:05.46); Tyson Lucas, 14th, javelin (33.21m)

Junior men: Will Downing, 1st, 100m hurdles (14.37 sec.), 2nd, 300m hurdles (42.28 sec.); Aiden Hartman, 1st, long jump (5.77m), 3rd, triple jump (12.26m); 4x1 relay, 8th (47.10 sec.); Caden Flint, 11th, 800m (2:21.44)

Junior women: Aisha Medina, 1st, pole vault (2.75m); Clara Steller, 4th, javelin (29.53m); Jordin Stevens, 7th (24.65m), Avery Bradish, 13th, javelin (21.86m); Eve Jackson, 11th, shot put (8.41m); Ava Stahle, 9th (20.30m); 4x1, 14th (56.84 sec.)

Novice men: Curtis Willick, 2nd, 1500m (4:35.31), 2nd, 800m (2:15.26)

Novice women: Ava Ridley, 3rd, pole vault (2.40m); Georgia Robinson, 9th, 80m hurdles (15.03 sec.).

Open men: Ryan Johnson, 1st, 2000m steeplechase (6:33.74); 4x4 relay, 8th (3:42.59)

Open women: Chloe Bozik, 13th, steeplechase (9:35.90)

  

    EAST ELGIN

Begemann, Kana, capture WOSSAA gold

Senior women: Taylor Kana, 1st, javelin (40.32m); Darah Farrow, 4th, javelin (30.88m), 10th, shot put (23.45m); Reece Laidlaw, 10th, discus (22.00m), 10th, javelin (26.37m);

Senior men: Henry Scott, 100m (third fastest prelim time, DNS final); 200m, DNS (injury)

Junior women: Kiersten Kent, 14th, long jump (4.30m)

Junior men: Benji Gould, 3rd, 800m (2:09.59), 3rd, 3000m (9:47.78), 4th, 1500m (4:26.13)

Novice women: Louisa Begemann, 1st, discus (29.25m), 3rd, javelin (26.48m), 5th, shot put (9.45m); Allison Sleegers, 6th, 800m (2:40.10), 10th, 1500m (5:46.05); Bridget Woolley, 7th, high jump (1.30m); Anneka Drader, 13th, long jump (3.87m);

Novice men: Hudson Dyck, 5th, 800m (2:22.05), 10th, 1500m (4:53.64); Keenan Schnarr, 14th, javelin (25.62m)

 

    PARKSIDE

Arnold, Williamson, both double  gold

Senior women: Alexis Gray, 12th , 400m (1:05.20)

Junior men: Brendan McCausland, 3rd, high jump (1.71m), 11th, javelin (34.65m); Riisy Al Faiadhi, 5th, 400 (56.02 sec.), 6th, 200m (24.62 sec.).    

Novice men: Mehkai Arnold, 1st, javelin (36.75m), 1st, discus (39.03m), 3rd, shot put (11.62m);  Jack Rice, 3rd, 3000m (10:27.63), 8th, 1500 (4:50.45); Jack Moore, 4th, 400m (57.32 sec), 16th, 200m (26.90 sec.); Charlie Halpenny, 5th, 100m hurdles (16.99 sec.), 7th, 300m hurdles (51.05 sec.); 4x1 relay team of Jack Moore, Charlie Halpenny, Nathan Campbell, Max Surmacz, 5th )49.63 sec.); Max Surmacz, 7th, 100m (12.25 sec.), 8th, 200m (25.72 sec); Nathan Campbell, 10th, 400m (1:00.00) ; Brady Congdon, 10th, discus, (26.16m)

Novice women: Amy Williamson, 1st, long jump (4.75m), 1st, triple jump (10.29m - PB), 4th, 100m (13.33 sec.); 4x1 relay team of Hannah Kish, Amy Williamson, Cadence Baitz, Cadence Quin, 4th (54.42 sec.); Cadence Baitz, 10th, long jump; Abby Harrison, 10th, high jump (1.25m); Hannah Kish, 11th, 300m hurdles (54.55 sec.), 12th, 80m hurdles (15.08 sec.)

 

    ST. JOE'S

Atkinson sets junior men's pole vault WOSSAA record.

Senior men: Shawn Okorhi, 3rd, high jump (1.78m); Elijah Yi, 6th, high jump (1.70,); Fowler Little, 6th, 800m (2:02.18); Ty Emre, 9th, 1500m (4:24.63), 9th, 3000m (9:56.26).

Senior women: Libby McCurdy, 2nd, pole vault (3.20m); Flourish Nmor, 3rd, 800m (2:24.96), 3rd, 400m (1:00.62), 8th, 200m (28.30 sec.); Sarah Poley, 7th, high jump (1.40m)   Promise Atkinson, 8th, pole vault (2.75m), 8th long jump (4.55m); Brooklyn Hewitt, 7th, javelin (26.96m); Nicole Williamson, 11th, 400m (1:04.87); Claire Caslick, 15th, 400m hurdles (1:23.88).

Junior men: Ethan Atkinson, 1st, pole vault (4.20m - meet record), long jump, 2nd, 100m hurdles (14.87 sec.); Max Gasper, 3rd, javelin (42.50m); Demarco Maitland, 4th, 100m hurdles (15.21 sec.); Ethan Van Wychen, 7th, high jump (1.60m); Benjamin Santiago, 800m, 13th (2:25.90);

Junior women: Makena Evangelinos, 8th, 800m (2:47.21); Nicole Brailovsky, 6th, high jump (1.40m) ; Ella Robison, 13th, long jump (4.40m), 16th, triple jump (8.72m)

Novice women: Jane Hewitt, 2nd, long jump (4.48m); Ellie Portlock, 10th, javelin (21.96m); 4x1, 10th (56.95 sec.).

Novice men: Owen Lupson, 7th, shot put (9.89m); Landon Richardson, 11th, 3000m (11:15.10); Martino Vu, 14th, 3000m (11:33.19)

Open men: Fowler Little, 4th, 2000m steeplechase (6:47.05)

Open women: 4x4 relay, 12th (4:33.10)

 

    WEST ELGIN

Novice men: Reece Burke, 4th, 300m hurdles (48.64 sec.); Alex Lacroix, 8th, javelin (29.52m)

 

 

 

        rob@hometownplay.ca