Four sports keep Roque rolling

BY SCOTT HADDOW

It's easy to measure the height of College Notre-Dame athlete Eric Roque.

He stands a self-admitted five-foot-three.

What's not easy to measure is the size of his heart and determination.

A true competitor, Roque engages himself in three major high school sports and one club sport.

In high school, he plays as running back for the senior boys' football team, wrestles and is a champion 100-metre specialist in track and field.

In club, he plays house league midget hockey with the Sudbury Wildcats.

Over the last two years, Roque has emerged as one of the top student athletes in the city.

Recently, he copped MVP honours in high school football - an award which feature the other players voting, and over the last 12 months he has won gold in the seniors boys 100-m at the city and NOSSA level. He went on to finish 13th at OFSAA. He also qualified for the Canadian National Junior Track and Field championships in B.C. and placed 28th overall in the 100-m competing against guys two years older than him. In wrestling, Roque finished third at cities in 2007 and then fifth at NOSSA in the 54-kilogram division.

His success isn't happening by accident. Roque is doing it with his big heart and willingness to prove little guys can be impact players in all sports.

Roque goes beyond what's expected of a high school athlete. He pushes himself to be one of the best. This was no more clearly evident than in the semi-final football game versus the powerhouse St. Benedict Bears earlier this fall.

During the game, Roque took a bone-rattling hit which sprained his ankle. He had one touchdown already and was keeping Notre-Dame in the game. Roque walked to the sidelines, got his ankle taped and then went out and scored two touchdowns. Notre-Dame eventually lost the game, but Roque's act of courage showed all his teammates what commitment is all about.

Roque didn't notice the pain in his ankle until he got home later that night. He took the tape off and his foot swelled with pain. His foot was in agony and his mind was spinning out of control. It all made for a few sleepless nights.

"My foot was huge...I couldn't see the bones," the 17-year-old said. "I could barely walk. I saw the doctor and I was on crutches for two weeks. It hurt a lot and I was scared.  I didn't damage it permanently...I was happy because I was thinking about track and field and how I would like to go somewhere with it and maybe get a scholarship."

Roque was told it would take him at least two months to recover. He's feeling fine and ready to hit the mats for wrestling.

"It's a lot better now...I'm hoping to start training for wrestling in a week."

Roque has a wide range of natural athletic talents which allows him stand out from the crowd.

"He's a tough guy," football head coach Paul Gauthier said. "He would get knocked down and always got up. He scored two touchdowns in a semi-final game with a sprained ankle...it showed what kind of character he has. He has great speed and he learned how to make opponents miss him by sidestepping them. He took beatings all season by big players and he never complained and was a good sportsman. He's a real competitor...a big man in a small package."

Roque isn't the tallest student at Notre-Dame, but he sure stands out with his devotion to sports success.

"Eric's a key member of our athletics program," Athletics Program Leader Luc Giroux said. "He strives for excellence everyday and raises the bar for other kids. It contributes to an elevated level of performance for everybody."

Roque scored at least one touchdown in all his games except one. He was proud to be the MVP and gives all the credit to his teammates.

"It was my biggest accomplishment award wise," the Grade 12 student said. "I hope it motivates other short guys to believe in themselves and compete. I played hard all season so I wouldn't let my teammates down. They believed in me and it meant a lot to me all season. I needed them and that allowed me to do what I did."

Roque is now focused on dominating the wrestling world.

"It's my fourth year and considering I did good last year my expectations are up," Roque said. "I have a lot more experience and I am out to make OFSAA."

If Roque had more time, he would definitely be in more sports. He just can't get enough.

"I love sports," Roque said. "I am going to have to push myself harder now to get further. I also want to win a medal in track at OFSAA. It's been a big two years for me and it's really coming together for me."