Ruky enters Jerome Indoor Classic February 4.

 

Ruky Abduali

Ruky Abdulai confirmed today her entry into the second annual Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Indoor Classic featuring the TELUS Jerome Outreach Elementary Relays set for Saturday, February 4th at the Richmond Olympic Oval new track and field facility.  This event will be the first steps to the 2012 Olympic Games in London this summer.

Ruky was the winner of the National Championship Heptathlon in Calgary in June of 2011. She went on to represent Canada at the World Championships in Daegu, Korea where she recorded her personal best in the seven event challenge. Her performances of  24.50 (200m), 2:15.29 (800m), 13.60 (100mH), 1.80m (HJ), 6.30m (LJ), 11.72m (SP) and 46.35m (Jav) gave her a total of 6212 points.  This ranks the Simon Fraser graduate as 17th in the world.

 

Ruky Abduali

Ruky will compete in the 60m hurdles at the Jerome Indoor Classic.  Her personal best is 8.54 seconds set in 2008 at the NAIA indoor championships.  She holds the Richmond Olympic Oval record for the 50m hurdles with her 7.72 mark set in 2011.

Tickets are $5 and available only at the Richmond Olympic Oval, 6111 River Road,

on February 4th.  The TELUS  Jerome Outreach Elementary Relays start at 10 am

with the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Indoor Classic

set for 11:20 am

World first to take place in Canada; National Track League to share race bib with athletes

World first to take place in Canada; National Track League to share race bib with athletes
January 23

OTTAWA – A game changing world first in the sport of athletics (track and field) was announced today by the National Track League (NTL).  For the first time in the history of the sport, a competition, in this case a complete series, will share race bib inventory with the participating athletes.  This summer the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is celebrating its 100th anniversary, it is only natural that Canada, as one of the founding members, now helps the sport step into the 21st Century.

 

In his latest blog entry, Nick Symmonds, American 800-metre superstar talked about this innovative initiative, “Our neighbors to the north, who have brought us such world changing exports as Justin Bieber and poutine (I’m not ashamed to admit that I very much enjoy both), are about to do it again.  The NTL is partnering with Flotrack to deliver a series of media-covered events in which a predetermined portion of the bib will be available for athletes to recognize sponsors, support charities, raise money, or promote their websites.”

 

Symmonds, who founded a Facebook group in October to fight tight logo restrictions, adds, “This is the future of track and field.  You can try to fight it, or you can embrace it and be a pioneer, as the Canadians have chosen to be.  I encourage every athlete to check out the NTL’s 2012 calendar and see if they can fit one or more of these meets into their schedule.  I am currently working with my coach and agent to find a way to attend at least one.”

 

You can read Nick Symmonds’ full blog here.

 

Race bibs are used in all track and field and road racing events to identify athletes during the competition.  Bibs are often adorned with sponsors who are granted the right to display their name, logo or brand on the race bib.  In the coming weeks the NTL will finalize and make public the exact specifications of the race bib which participating athletes will own.

 

2012 NTL schedule

Harry Jerome International – June 10 – Vancouver, B.C.
Victoria International – June 13 – Victoria, B.C.
Donovan Bailey Invitational – June 16 – Edmonton, Alta.
Hub City Classic – July 5 – Moncton, N.-B.
Aileen Meagher Memorial – July 8 – Halifax, N.-S.
Toronto International Track + Field Games – July 11 – Toronto, Ont.

 

Dylan Armstrong, silver medalist at 2011 World Championships holds Jerome Classic meet record in the shot put

Dylan Armstrong confirmed for Edmonton

Last week the Donovan Bailey Invitational confirmed the participation of Dylan Armstrong, 2011 World Championship silver medalist and IAAF Diamond League champion.  The coming weeks will see a number of announcements from the NTL about confirmed Canadian and international track and field stars.  For more information on the National Track League and the 2012 series visit www.nationaltrackleague.ca.

 

-NTL-

 

Une première mondiale au Canada; la Ligue nationale d’athlétisme partagera le dossard de course avec les athlètes
23 janvier

 

OTTAWA – Une première mondiale qui pourrait changer la face du sport de l’athlétisme a été annoncée aujourd’hui par la Ligue nationale d’athlétisme (LNA).  Pour la première fois dans l’histoire du sport, une compétition, dans ce cas-ci un circuit complet, partagera l’inventaire du dossard de course avec les athlètes participants.  L’Association internationale des fédérations d’athlétisme (IAAF) célèbre son 100ème anniversaire en 2012.  Il est donc naturel que le Canada, comme un des membres fondateurs, aide maintenant le sport à entrer au 21ème siècle.

 

Les dossards de course sont utilisés lors de tous les événements d’athlétisme et de course sur route afin d’identifier les athlètes durant la compétition.  Les dossards sont souvent ornés de commanditaires qui reçoivent le droit de mettre leur nom, logo ou marque sur le dossard de course.  Dans les prochaines semaines, la LNA finalisera et rendra publiques les spécifications exactes  du dossard de course qui appartiendront aux athlètes participants.

 

Dans son dernier blog, Nick Symmonds, la super étoile américaine du 800 mètres, a parlé de cette initiative innovatrice : « Nos voisins du nord, qui nous ont donné des exportations mondialement bouleversantes telles que Justin Bieber et la poutine (je n’ai pas honte d’avouer que j’aime beaucoup les deux), sont sur le point de nous en passer une autre.  La LNA a un partenariat avec Flotrack afin de produire une série d’événements couverts par les média, dans lesquels une partie prédéterminée du dossard sera disponible aux athlètes, pour reconnaître des commanditaires, soutenir des charités, lever des fonds, ou promouvoir leurs sites Web. »

 

Symmonds, qui a fondé un groupe Facebook en octobre afin de combattre les restrictions serrées de logo, ajoute : « Ceci représente le futur de l’athlétisme.  Vous pouvez essayer de l’empêcher, ou vous pouvez l’adopter et être un pionnier, comme les Canadiens ont choisi de le faire.  J’encourage tous les athlètes à aller consulter le calendrier 2012 de la LNA, et voir s’ils peuvent incorporer une ou plusieurs de ces compétitions à leur calendrier.  Je travaille présentement avec mon entraîneur et agent afin de trouver un moyen de participer à au moins une. »

 

Vous pouvez lire le blog complet de Nick Symmonds ici.

 

Calendrier 2012 de la LNA

Harry Jerome International – 10 juin – Vancouver, C.-B.
Victoria International – 13 juin – Victoria, C.-B.
Donovan Bailey Invitational – 16 juin – Edmonton, Alb.
Hub City Classic – 5 juillet – Moncton, N.-B.
Aileen Meagher Memorial – 8 juillet – Halifax, N.-É.
Toronto International Track + Field Games – 11 juillet – Toronto, Ont.

 

Dylan Armstrong confirmé pour Edmonton

La semaine dernière, le Donovan Bailey Invitational a confirmé la participation de Dylan Armstrong, le médaillé d’argent du Championnat du monde de 2011 et le champion de la Diamond League de l’IAAF.  Au cours des prochaines semaines, plusieurs annonces seront faites par la LNA sur les étoiles canadiennes et internationales de l’athlétisme qui confirmeront leur présence.  Pour plus d’information sur la Ligue nationale d’athlétisme et le circuit de 2012, veuillez consulter www.nationaltrackleague.ca.

 

-LNA-

 

____________________________________________
Mathieu Gentès

Director, Corporate Services & Public Relations /

Directeur des relations publiques et services corporatifs

Athletics Canada /Athlétisme Canada

2445 St-Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON K1G 6C3, Suite B1-110

Phone: 613.260.5580 x3303

www.athletics.ca

Jerome Indoor just 14 days from today at ROO

The 2012 Vancouver Sun Jerome Indoor Classic will be held on Saturday, February 4th at the Track Zone of the Richmond Olympic Oval. British Columbia athletes should in sure their entry are submitted now.

Entry information can be found at www.harryjerome.com

It is expected that meet records will fall 7mm pyramid spikes will be allowed this season on the new Pulastic 200m flat surface of the Richmond Olympic Oval.

 

The Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Indoor Classic Records 2011

 

Men Open

50m 6.16 Dennis Nicolas 89 Unattached

400m 50.63 Adam Paul-Morris 92 UBC

800m 1:55.90 Nigel  Hole 89 UBC

1500m 4:04.40 Jack Williams 93 Ocean Athletics

3000m 8:30.74 Jordan Smith 90 UBC

50mH 7.81  Jesse Lynch 93 Langley Mustangs

4x400m 3:34.22 Coquitlam Cheetahs

High Jump 1.95 Alvin Los 93 Langley Mustangs

Shot Put 12.73 James Turner 93 Kelowna

 

Women Open

50m 6.72 Shai-Anne Davis 93 Kajaks
400m 58.21 Devan Wiebe 93 Vancouver Olympic
800 2:22.58 Brittany Imlach 89 UBC
1500m 5:00.74 Heather Slinn 92  UBC
50mH 7.72 Ruky Abdulai 85 Valley Royals

3000m  10:45.58 Micha Gutmanis 92 UBC

4x400m 4:10.58 Vancouver Olympic

High Jump 1.75  Ruky Abdulai 85 Valley Royals

Shot Put 9.16 Keleigh McLaughlin 90 UBC

 

Men Youth 14-17 years

50m  6.35 James Linde 94 Coquitlam Cheetahs

400m  50.67 Hodson Harding 94 Coquitlam Cheetahs

800m 2:05.77 Mathew So 95 Vancouver Thunderbirds

1500m 4:24.70 Ephraim Tadesse 95 Unattach

3000m 9:20.88 Joel DeSchiffart 94 Unattach

50mH 7.59 Ethan Strome 96 NW Spartans

4x400m 3:51.43 NW Spartans

High Jump 1.75 Giovani Trasolini 95 NW Spartans

 

 

Women Youth 14-17 years

50m  6.95    Carolyn Sutherland 94  Langley Mustangs

400m 60.17 Georgia Ellenwood 95 Langley Mustangs
800m 2:32.34 Alison Williams 95 Ocean Athletics
1500m 5:11.91 Tessa Davis 95 Unattached
50mH 9.17 Miho McLaughlin 94 Strathcona Lions
4x400m 4:38.41 Vancouver Olympic Club
High Jump 1.64 Georgia Ellenwood 95 Langley Mustangs

Shot Put 6.19 Dianna Voloshin 97 Norwesters

 

 

Justin Rodhe, now Canadian, with new PB 20.77m

Justin Rodhe of the National Throws Centre had a huge personal best in the shot put Saturday in the Golden Flash Gala at Kent State University in Kent Ohio taking the gold with  20.77. His previous personal best was 20.07. Justin Rodhe became a Canadian Citizen in October after moving here to train with Anatoliy Bondarchuk and is married to hammer thrower Megann Rodhe.

For further info, please check out the following website.

http://www.kentstatesports.com/sports/track/2011-12/files/galafinalresults.pdf

Training Talk: Shot Put With Justin

Rodhe

Published on 10 April 2011 in Training Talk5 Comments |


Bondarchuk is most well known for his legacy as both an athlete and a coach in the hammer. But his greatest success since he began coaching Western athletes has been in the shot put. His star pupil Dylan Armstrong increased the Canadian record to 21.58 meters and placed fourth in Beijing, just one centimeter off of the podium.

Often hidden in the shadow of Dylan is Justin Rodhe, and that’s something he hopes to change in the future. When Justin arrived in Kamloops in 2007, he had just graduated Division 3 Mt. Union College, where he was a consistent 16 to 17 meter thrower. During his last meet for the school, he threw 18 meters for the first time and won the NCAA D3 title. Since joining the group he has made quick progress: last year he threw 19.52 meters and this year he expects to be in the 20 meter range. Rodhe also married Megan VanderVliet in 2009, a Commonwealth Games participant for Canada in the hammer throw, and is deciding whether to compete for America or Canada in the future. The two recently launched RodheThrows.com. Justin has been kind enough to share some of what he has learned about the shot put from Bondarchuk and others.


Shot putter Justin Rodhe

About RhodeThrows.com

Martin: To start off with, tell us a little about RodheThrows.com and what you and Megann are trying to do with the new site?

Justin: RODHETHROWS.com is the platform from which Megann and I have found ourselves in a unique position to offer professional products and services as well as an information resource for the throwing community and our support groups as we endeavour toward the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.

The site offers blog updates concerning our nutrition, training research and competition updates. We also provide handmade leather products for sport performance, our signature product being the RODHETHROWS Shot Put Glove.

What Sets American Shot Putting Apart

Martin: Unlike the hammer throw, the U.S. has been able to stay on top of the world lists in the shot put. Why do you think the U.S. has been able to maintain such a high level of success in the shot put while success in the other throwing events has fallen?

Justin: I can think of two reasons that are very simple, but I feel often looked over. The first reason would be body positions and technique with regard to the implement’s distance from the athlete’s center of gravity.

Example 1: When a shot put and discus athlete are compared, distance of the implement from COG is much greater in the discus than shot put. If a technical error occurs, the law of amplitude suggests that the discus flight will be impacted with more significance. It is no secret that North American technique in discus, hammer and javelin is less efficient than the world’s top athletes.

The second reason considers exercise selection for event specific strengthening. Not all events or athletes are made equal. Exercise selection and categorization is different for all four throwing events. Athletes must become strong in their event specific nerve pathways. i.e. bench press has very little, if not a negative impact on hammer athletes.

Example 2: When a discus and hammer athlete are compared in the snatch exercise, the hammer athlete will have more benefit from close grip and the discus athlete more benefit from a wide grip based on the rule of event specificity. Because most exercises performed by North American athletes at dynamic speed occur with arms/hands close to the body, opportunity to develop proper strength systems is lost in many cases.

Martin: When watching an elite shot put competition, one of the first things I notice is the difference in technique between Europeans and Americans. The top Europeans still use the glide, while the top Americans favor the spin technique even though the vast majority of youth use the glide. Is there something that each continent is missing that keeps them from being successful at the other method.

Justin: European youth training is much different than North American. I work as a weight room supervisor and know immediately when an athlete has European roots because of their exercise selection. I think on the average, Europeans are more successful with the glide because they are better at training fast muscle fibre than North Americans. The other side of this argument is why are women still using the glide predominantly across the entire globe? Most women shot putters have no problem maximizing arm speed on the 4kg ball, thus the need for a longer implement path (spin) is irrelevant to top result. At the most basic levels, tall athletes with very fast muscle will usually excel with the glide technique.

Justin and his wife Megann Rodhe train together with Bondarchuk in Kamloops.

Shot Put Training and Technique with Bondarchuk

Martin: Now on to training with Bondarchuk. Watching him coach, I’ve seen some similarities in his technical approach in the shot put and his approach in the hammer. For instance, an emphasis on getting to the left in the entry, a long double support on the final, less focus on footwork, more focus on movements etc. Do you see some other similarities in his approach to these and other events?

Justin: Dr. Bondarchuk’s approach is similar in all 4 throwing disciplines. These 3 key items are the base for any throwing event. Some would argue that technique for the separate events are quite different, but when you revert to the laws of physics, there are many ways for apply force on an object, some just work better than others. A large advantage I believe Bondarchuk has found in coaching technique is he divides the body left/right side where many coaches separate the body legs/arms. In some cases, Bondarchuk has eliminated the legs completely when coaching technique. I think you know what I’m talking about here Martin!

Martin: To get an idea of how that is applied in the shot put, what are some technical cues that he will repeat the most?

I will consider the discus and shot put for this question. Dr. Bondarchuk says there are three major requirements for good technique.

  • 1. A fast entry around left side.
  • 2. An inactive right foot in power position.
  • 3. A long finish forward and around the left foot.

He most often critiques an athlete for pushing and actively rotating their right foot in the middle position. When an athlete uses their right foot, the right side of the body rises in the middle of rotation, causing a deceleration of body speed and change of implement position in the hand. This leads to a less explosive and off center release of the implement: this is the biggest cause of hand injury in shot put. If you watch the right foot of Nelson, Hoffa and Cantwell in the center position, there is very little movement. Their right side is turning, but the foot and leg is not doing the work.

Martin: Very interesting. He also has a similar training approach: less focus on maximal and general strength, more focus on special strength, throws volume, and technique. However, there are some differences. You guys do upper body lifting. Sometimes you will throw just once a day. How would you say your training differs from the hammer group? How would it differ from your old training program or a typical North American approach? For example, what are the typical components of your training?

Justin: From my experience in Bondarchuk’s system, the daily volume for competitive exercise is higher for discus than shot put and shot put is higher than hammer. I believe the reason for this is the nervous system tax per throw in each event. The program has much higher throwing volume than any other North American system I know of. Throwing sessions of 100% intensity and dynamic lifting are 10 times per week. It is not uncommon to total on the year 10,000-15,000 attempts of full and special strength throws. Another big difference is that bar speed in the weight room is kept to a maximum. Average sessions find speeds of 2-2.7mps. Of course these statistics change with individual athlete peculiarities and all details regarding Bondarchuk programs can be found in his books.

Martin: Obviously an approach that focuses less on maximal strength will not be a problem for someone like Dylan that naturally has a lot of natural strength. Many critics say that his approach would not work on an athlete with normal levels of athletic ability. Care to comment on that?

Justin: In a recent online chat board I was referred to as a “mediocre thrower”; I suppose then, a personal testament would be appropriate for this question.

In November 2006 my best bench press was 120kg with chain for 1×3. At that time I couldn’t sniff at 150kg for a 1 rep max. The bar speed was slow and my shoulder was injured soon after. Dr. Bondarchuk took over my training in Feb 2008 and my next bench press program was October 2008 with 130kg. I continued the exercise 12 separate occasions untill November 2010 when I max effort tested for the first time in 4 years. Since October 2008 I had not completed a repetition over 140kg with 95% of attempts ranging 100-130kg. I tested 2 successful attempts at 185kg and 195kg. In this time my 7.26kg result grew 18.07m-20.15m. How did this growth occur without lifting heavy? To accelerate throwing implements muscle needs to be fast, not strong. Throwing power is developed more efficiently with dynamic attempts than slow, max effort attempts.

Thank you Martin for the time and interest in RODHETHROWS. I am grateful for the opportunity to talk and look forward to future possibilities.

Indoor Season to start February 4 at Richmond Olympic Oval

Georgia Ellenwood

Achilles, a volunteer, non-profit organization was founded in 1964 to provide track and field events in Metro Vancouver to stimulate our youth to a physically active lifestyle and to stage international competitions at home for our Canadian athletes. The Achilles programs provide competition to elementary, high school, university students as well as Canada’s Olympic athletes.

For 2012 Achilles organized events are:

The Vancouver Sun Achilles Indoor Games on Saturday, February 4 at the Richmond Olympic Oval will involve elementary, high school and university students.                           Entry information at www.harryjerome.com

The Province Gran Forza Indoor High School Track Team Pentathlon on Saturday, March 10 at the Richmond Olympic Oval aimed at high schools and elementary schools.   Entry information at www.harryjerome.com

The Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic on Sunday, June 10 at Swangard Stadium will be an Olympic qualifying event but provide opportunities for elementary and high school athletes

Dylan getting ready for London Olympics

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

For Armstrong, improved consistency bodes well as London Games approach

Dylan Armstrong of Canada shot putting in the 2011 Pan American Games
Dylan Armstrong of Canada shot putting in the 2011 Pan American Games (Getty Images )
Related content

Consistency is a prominent word in Dylan Armstrong’s vocabulary to the point where it’s actually become a mantra.
And, when the Canadian shot putter won the 2011 Diamond Race event title of the  Samsung Diamond League in the event, captured the IAAF World Championships silver medal and set a stunning world leading mark of 22.21m, it was clear his approach to competition had paid off handsomely. Consistency summarised his year.
Victories from April through October
Armstrong threw over 21 metres in no fewer than 22 meetings. His tenth best throw was 21.50m which is near his pre-2011 best of 21.58m. Most remarkable is that his season stretched from 20 April, when he won the Kansas Relays with 21.52m, until 25 October when he successfully defended his Pan American Games title with 21.30m.
“You know I was very pleased with my consistency this year,” he declares with characteristic humility. “I trained extremely hard through the winter and obviously through the competitive season. I have to give a lot of credit to my coach. I now have a World championship medal under my belt and I feel I am set up very well going into London.”
The coach he speaks of is Dr. Anotoliy Bondarchuk or “Dr. B” as he is affectionately known to the athletes of the Kamloops Track and Field Club, a community located in British Columbia’s interior. Though he works almost anonymously in Kamloops his reputation as the 1972 Olympic Hammer Throw champion and coach to World record holder and two time Olympic champion, Yuriy Sedykh is not lost on others.
The 30-year-old Armstrong saw firsthand the respect ‘Dr B’ has garnered when their meals were constantly interrupted by coaches and athletes in the Daegu athletes’ village cafeteria. Among those seeking photos and autographs was none other than Koji Murofushi, the World and 2004 Olympic hammer throw champion. He has learned, too, that perseverance and commitment are necessary characteristics of a champion. The morning after his medal winning performance in Daegu he was out training with the coach. The mighty, it seems, don’t rest on their laurels.
In addition to his devotion to the sport the 1.93m/140kg Armstrong has a deserved reputation as a Canadian patriot, one who may always to be counted upon to support the national team programme.
A year ago he won the Commonwealth Games gold medal and, more recently, when most Canadian athletes were enjoying time off, he was in Guadalajara wearing the Maple Leaf at the Pan American Games. The Mexican odyssey conflicted with his annual season ending hunting trip with his father. But everything he does these days is with the London Olympics in sight.
“I skipped the (hunting) trip to go to Pan Ams,” he admits. “I didn’t go hunting this year but will probably go next year.
“I am training anyways at that time of year. It’s close to home, it made sense to me and obviously to get a medal for Canada is also an important thing to look at. Being able to make a presence there and help our team is great.”
Prefers training solo
Since the close of the 2011 season Armstrong hasn’t missed a beat. A celebration at home with a few close friends, where he briefly showed off the Diamond Race trophy, was quickly followed by his return to pre-Olympic training. As the weather turned colder he once again re-located to Phoenix, Arizona, where he plans to remain until the end of March. A typical day sees him putting in six hours of hard work – three hours in the morning, three hours in the afternoon. Eating and sleeping is his relaxation, he jokes.
Unlike many of his competitors who enjoy the company of others when they are training – Adam Nelson and Reese Hoffa for instance train together – Armstrong is happy to be on his own.
“I prefer to be alone. I don’t need a training partner to throw far,” he says. “My coach is definitely my motivator. I want to do everything I can to try and get ahead of his reputation. That’s what drives me. It’s fun. We work well together. I am very fortunate to have him coaching me.”
Though he’s a loner when it comes to training he is nevertheless an outgoing individual who socialises with his fellow competitors once the event is done.
“The shot putters are a great group of guys,” he declares. “We definitely have fun together. We celebrate after a competition. That’s the way we are. It definitely makes it fun.”
On the circuit he tends to hang out most with Christian Cantwell, the 2009 World champion. They are both from small towns. Both are keen outdoorsmen who are fond of fishing and hunting. Armstrong, who hunts moose and elk each autumn hopes to find a time to show his colleague British Columbia.
“We are trying to get something together, so hopefully next year,” he says. “We have been talking about it but our schedules definitely are hard. We hunt elk and moose in B.C. I think he would be hunting deer (in Missouri). We have the big boys. Hopefully one day we can get it organised. It would be a lot of fun.”
On 2011 success: ‘I think I am really finally starting to figure this thing out’
Armstrong was fourth in the 2008 Beijing Olympic final with a then Canadian record of 21.04m and was obviously delighted with the performance. That result gave notice of his potential as a shot putter since he had originally been a hammer thrower and only converted to  the shot in 2004. But as he collected Diamond League victories in Zurich, Rome, Birmingham and Doha this year he demonstrated that he truly belonged to be ranked with the world’s best. At least he sensed a growing camaraderie.
“I think everyone obviously knows I am in better shape and I am starting to figure things out from previous years,” he explains. “As far as Beijing I was playing catch up with everyone. I hadn’t been training for shot put that long seriously anyway. Now that I have been working with my coach I am hoping for better things. For me it’s just all about getting more years under my belt with my coach. That’s what it is. I think I am really finally starting to figure this thing out.”
With London 2012 the next major objective and, quite possibly his final Olympics, Armstrong is as focused as ever. He will bring Dr B down to Arizona occasionally to keep him on track before the competitive season gets underway. On that score he expects some changes.
“The number of competitions will be different. I haven’t really looked too far ahead. I am just training now, Obviously I can’t compete as much as I did last year so I will be doing different preparations,” he reveals.
“Obviously I have got to go for a gold medal and get on the podium in London. That would be anybody’s goal. But I have just got to keep training right here and just really stay focused and concentrate on the task at hand.”
And remain consistent.
Paul Gains for the IAAF

Maria Bernard and Luc Bruchet lead UBC teams to second at NAIA Champs

Maria Bernard leads UBC Thunderbirds to near top of NAIA

T-BIRDS SECOND AT NAIA CHAMPIONSHIPS Nov. 19, 2011

VANCOUVER, Wash. – The Thunderbirds came second in the combined women and men’s team results at the NAIA Cross Country National Championships at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Wash. Saturday, with both teams bettering their pre-Championships rankings.

The women were ranked fourth in the NAIA, and moved up a spot, to third, while the men came from being ranked way back in 22nd, and raced to sixth.

“It was a quite successful competition for us, with such a young women’s team finishing third, we’ve got a bright future for the women’s team for the next few years,” said head cross country coach Marek Jedrzejek.

Women’s race

UBC’s women tallied 171 points, behind Azusa Pacific’s (Calif.) 91 points, and winners Cal St. San Marcos’ 82 points. A single point put the UBC women ahead of fourth placed Northwest Christian (Ore.), who scored 172 points. Obsie Birru, of Grand View (Iowa), won the women’s individual five-kilometre race in 17:15.

First-year Maria Bernard led the UBC women with a fantastic fourth place finish, in 17:46, earning her All-American honours. The only first-year to place in the top 15 overall, Bernard ran aggressively from the start, sitting in fifth for most of the race, before flying past the fourth placed runner in the last 400-metres and holding on until the finish.

“The race went out about as hard as I thought it would,” said Bernard. “Towards the end I was feeling good. On the last lap I got some momentum on the downhill and thought I could maybe catch the runner ahead of me on the uphill before the finish. I just drove my arms like coach Besnik [Mece] was telling me to do and passed her.”

“Maria ran an outstanding race as a freshman,” said Jedrzejek. “Placing fourth in that competitive field was an amazing performance.”

Jackie Regan got out strongly and placed 40th in 18:44, followed closely by Sarah Reimer, who moved up in the field the entire race to finish 47th, in 18:49.

Amelie de Fenoyl came on strong in towards the end and was 66th, in 19:08.

Not far behind were Micha Gutmanis, 72nd in 19:11, and Nelly Amenyogbe, 74th in 19:13, who – running in her final cross country race for the T-Birds – finished ahead of Northwest Christian’s fifth runner, and gave them the deciding extra point that resulted in their finishing behind UBC. What a way to cap off a career.

Heather Slinn, battling an illness, finished 162nd in 19:51

Luc Bruchet #284 UBC

Men’s race

Kennedy Kithuka, of Wayland Baptist (Texas), cruised through the eight-kilometre course in 23:15 to take the individual title. Oklahoma Christian took the team title, with 93 points. Next were Cal St. San Marcos, second with 188 points, Southern Oregon, third with 206 points, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho), fourth with 228 points, Wayland Baptist (Texas) fifth with 254 points, and UBC, sixth with 257 points.

The T-Birds men’s top finisher was Luc Bruchet, who was 33rd in 24:58.

Theo Hunt and Jordan Smith were the only graduating athletes on the men’s team, and closed off their cross country careers in style. Hunt was second on the team, finishing 66th, in 25:26, and Smith, running in pain the entire way due to a hip injury, gutted out a 76th place result, in 25:32.

Justin Kent was close behind, crossing the line 82nd, in 25:36, trailed by Tim Huebsch, who closed out the scoring with a 94th place result, in 25:42.

First years Jack Williams and Matt Galea placed 115th (25:51) and 228th (26:50) in their first attempts at Nationals.

“The whole team ran well,” said Jedrzejek. They came through on the day of the race, despite being ranked 21st. By placing sixth we proved the ranking wasn’t accurate nor adequate.”

“The leadership and contributions that Nelly [Amenyogbe], Theo [Hunt] and Jordan [Smith] have brought to the team will be missed next year,” Jedrzejek said. “We are very thankful for what they’ve done.”

Up next

The T-Birds’ cross country seasons aren’t over yet. Next weekend most athletes will be competing at the Canadian Cross Country Championships, at Vancouver’s Jericho Beach Park.

Information on the Canadian Championships can be found here: http://www.athletics.ca/Vancouver2011/

Edmonds Elementary will paticipate in the Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Indoor on February 4th.

Principal Dave Starr at Burnaby’s Edmonds Elementary, which received help from the Canucks building a new playground. Photograph by: Ward Perrin, Vancouver Sun

INDOMITABLE SPIRIT OF ESL STUDENTS INSPIRED BURNABY PRINCIPAL TO PEN BOOK.

By Janet Steffenhagen, Vancouver Sun  November 18, 2011

METRO VANCOUVER — From the outside, Edmonds community school looks like an ordinary neighbourhood school. But inside, it is a microcosm.

Four out of five students were born outside Canada, more than half are learning English as a second language (ESL) and a third are refugees from countries such as Afghanistan, Sudan, Congo, Iraq and Eritrea. Their harrowing tales about fleeing war and repression, their courage and their indomitable spirit inspired principal David Starr to pen From Bombs to Books, which hit bookstores last month.

The school’s community is among the poorest in Burnaby, but it’s not disadvantaged, Starr said in a recent interview on the school playground, as children of all sizes and colours gathered around vying for his attention.

He responded to them all — a greeting here, a question there, a gentle touch on the shoulder, and always a friendly smile.

“We are a highly functional school — our kids do very well academically, athletically and in the fine arts,” said Starr, who is in his fourth year at Edmonds after two years as principal of nearby Byrne Creek secondary. “And we have terrific relationships with our families.

“We could serve as a model for inner-city schools.”

The success of the school, with 320 students from kindergarten to Grade 7, is due to dedicated staff, small classes, early intervention, a strong ESL program and high expectations for all students, Starr said, adding that staff never expect less of a student because of his or her background.

“If anything, we hold these kids to a higher standard because we know they’re capable. They punch well above their weight.”

But education is only part of the school’s mission. The other focus is community-building in a multicultural neighbourhood beset by poverty, where four, five or six family members crowd into rented two-bedroom apartments and struggle to pay the rent.

Edmonds opens its doors early in the morning and closes them late in the evening, welcoming not only students and their families but also preschoolers attending the StrongStart Centre, adults who want to upgrade their skills and newcomers wrestling with culture shock.

Also, within are cooking classes, health clinics, parenting support, a clothes bank and rooms stocked with donated school supplies and sporting equipment. There is a subsidized hot-breakfast program for students and a food-distribution centre for their families, when cupboards are bare.

“We get a couple of trucks delivering bread and food and other supplies and we’ll have upwards of 60 or 70 parents lined up here. It’s like something out of the 1930s,” Starr said.

“We’re probably feeding, out of the school, 200 people a week — students and their families.”

Starr’s developed excellent connections with individuals, groups and companies willing to help his students — including the Canucks (who recently helped create a new school playground), Costco, Telus, the Rotary and the Lions Clubs — but says it’s an ignominy for governments that a school principal and his staff have to spend so much of their time begging for help and applying for grants.

Edmonds has asked The Vancouver Sun’s Adopt-a-School project for money to support its breakfast program. He also made an appeal on behalf of neighbouring schools: Byrne Creek, Stride community and Morley elementary.

There’s lots to learn while working at schools like Edmonds, he said, but they are not easy places for employees.

“In some ways, I came to Edmonds with almost as much to learn as my students,” he says in From Bombs to Books.

“The level of commitment demanded of the staff is high; here emotional burnout is an occupational hazard. But for those who come, stay and learn to love the students and the neighbourhood, the rewards are extraordinary.”

jsteffenhagen@vancouversun.com

Read more education news at http://vancouversun.com/reportcard

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

The Mighty Jerome on PBS

Do not miss this important historical biography for Canada’s Harry Jerome.
The Mighty Jerome is a vital addition to the culture of Canadian sport.

http://video.kcts9.org/video/2165301751/

Triathlete switches lanes and wins BC High School Cross Country

Ashely Windsor of Walnut Grove

Lehm Maguire of Claremont Secondary in Victoria won the BC High School Cross Country title yesterday fresh off his victory in the Western Canada Summer Games Triathlon this summer. He edged Christian Gravel of St George’s School and Joel Deschiffart of Nanaimo Christian.  Oak Bay took the team title over St George’s School.

 

West Point Grey Wolves repeat team winners

Ashley Windsor of Walnut Grove won the girl’s race ahead of Emma Sim of Salmon Arm and Regan Yee of Hazelton.  In a very tight team race, West Point Grey Academy defended their title over Oak Bay.

Lehm Maguire wins in West Kelowna after gold in triathlon photo by Andrew Snucins

SUBWAY BC HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

NOVEMBER 5, 2011

WEST KELOWNA, BC

OVERALL RESULTS MALE

Place No. Name Team Group Time

===== ===== ========================= ========================== ===== ========

1 339 Lehm MAGUIRE Claremont TEAM 23:36.61

2 569 Christian GRAVEL St. George’s School TEAM 23:47.60

3 455 Joel DESCHIFFART Nanaimo Christian IND 23:49.35

4 414 Tim DELCOURT Kwantlen Park TEAM 24:02.35

5 374 Ben WEIR Glenlyon Norfolk IND 24:06.85

6 383 Lawrence VIOLA Heritage Woods IND 24:07.62

7 357 Thomas OXLAND Dover Bay TEAM 24:15.37

8 421 Braeden CHARLTON Lord Byng TEAM 24:17.62

9 483 Liam KENNELL Oak Bay TEAM 24:18.87

10 378 Jesse HOOTEN Handsworth IND 24:22.36

OVERALL RESULTS FEMALE

Place No. Name Team Group Time

===== ===== ========================= ========================== ===== ========

1 281 Ashley WINDSOR Walnut Grove TEAM 16:40.51

2 209 Emmy SIM Salmon Arm IND 16:53.02

3 71 Regan YEE Hazelton Secondary IND 16:57.74

4 136 Miryam BASSETT Nanaimo District TEAM 16:58.01

5 88 Tanya HUMENIUK Killarney TEAM 16:58.76

6 224 Nicole HUTCHINSON Sentinel A TEAM 17:01.03

7 49 Ines ZIMMERMAN Correlieu TEAM 17:01.26

8 251 Peggy NOEL South Delta TEAM 17:02.52

9 216 Chelsea RIBEIRO Semiahmoo TEAM 17:03.51

10 192 Kansas MACKENZIE Prince of Wales TEAM 17:07.00

TEAM RESULTS – MALE

1. 124 Oak Bay ( 25:32 2:07:40)

====================================

1 6 Liam KENNELL 24:19 5 42 Evan CAREY 26:24

2 17 Liam FARRAR 25:12 6 ( 46) Graham LANDELLS 26:34

3 21 Taylor CHAN 25:35 7 (139) Ben DE JONG 29:10

4 38 Simon PSOTKA 26:10

2. 151 St. George’s School ( 25:43 2:08:32)

====================================

1 2 Christian GRAVEL 23:48 5 47 Daniel GOH 26:41

2 20 Aedan GIFFIN 25:22 6 ( 56) Oliver BIBBY 27:02

3 37 Kieran HALLIDAY 26:08 7 ( 68) James PITBLADO 27:15

4 45 Matthew SO 26:33

3. 165 Dover Bay ( 25:53 2:09:21)

====================================

1 4 Thomas OXLAND 24:16 5 61 Nic ASCUI 27:09

2 8 Peter OXLAND 24:52 6 ( 71) Andrew DE GROOT 27:23

3 33 Garrett DUNLOP 25:58 7 ( 91) Kevin CHOI 27:59

4 59 Trent ARNDT 27:06

TEAM RESULTS – FEMALE

1. 123 West Point Grey Academy ( 17:58 1:29:46)

====================================

1 10 Sophie DODD 17:17 5 39 Jessica DORFMANN 18:31

2 11 Audrey WARNER 17:18 6 ( 48) Emily KASA 18:45

3 27 Tessa LADNER 18:12 7 ( 80) Katherine TOURIGNY 19:35

4 36 Mitali PATEL 18:28

2. 126 Oak Bay ( 18:00 1:29:56)

====================================

1 13 Madelyn BRUNT 17:29 5 41 Emily MILLS 18:32

2 16 Maddie SECCO 17:36 6 ( 42) Gillian BRIGGS 18:33

3 22 Elise BUTLER 17:59

4 34 Morgan ROSKELLEY 18:20

3. 186 Nanaimo District ( 18:21 1:31:42)

====================================

1 2 Miryam BASSETT 16:59 5 91 Emma RAINBOTH 19:48

2 25 Abigail GILCHRIST 18:06 6 (113) Rachel BAIRD 20:18

3 30 Carly OULLIVAN 18:18

4 38 Rebecca BASSETT 18:31