Battered backs, busted knees and sweltering heat didn't
stop local high school athletes from demonstrating their
awesome ability last week at the NOSSA track and field
championships.
With the championships being decided on their home turf, and
qualifying spots for OFSAA up for grabs, Sudbury athletes went
all out to show the province what they're made of.
The championships took place at the Laurentian track and
Lo-Ellen Park was able to take the overall title by displacing
Sir James Dunn from Sault Ste. Marie.
A total of 84 Sudbury athletes qualified for OFSSA, which
starts Thursday in Toronto and runs through Saturday. Lo-Ellen
has the largest contingent heading down with 26 athletes
competing.
Across the board, in all divisions (midget, junior and senior)
Sudbury competitors earned numerous gold medals and top
finishes at NOSSA.
Ariane Morin, from Lively High School, set a new NOSSA record
in the midget girls' triple jump by hurling her body a
distance of 10.32-metres. She managed the record-breaking jump
despite nursing an injured knee sustained in an earlier event
and qualified for OFSAA.
"It feels good . . . I didn't jump as far as I can, but I
still did well," said Morin about her new record. "Earlier, I
was running the 100-m race and my knee gave out and I fell. I
iced my knee a lot and gave it everything I had to win.
I've never went to OFSAA, so I am excited. I hope to do
well at OFSAA . . . it will be a learning experience."
Sacre-Coeur's Celine Loyer, who has made impressive strides over the last nine months, charged her way to gold medals in the 100 and 200-m events. She also set a new NOSSA senior girls' record in the 100-m.
"I feel great," said Loyer about the wins and new record.
"I came here to medal and I did it. It felt awesome to do my own thing. I am still suffering from a back injury . . . but I am making great progress. At OFSAA, whatever happens, happens and I'll just go from there."
Lo-Ellen Park's Rebecca Johnston tore up the track in the senior girls' 400-m, cruising to victory over the competition, but it exacted a heavy toll, as she suffered a lower leg injury, missing the 200-m race and the showdown with Loyer.
"It's exciting to be going to OFSAA again," said Johnston, who took two golds at OFSAA last year in the 200 and 400-m events.
"It will be harder this year because I am in the senior division. It will be great to see how I fare. My shins were sore and it would get worse if I ran on them more, so I will just concentrate on the 400-m at OFSAA. Hopefully, I will be better. Overall, Sudbury did really well at NOSSA."
Lo-Ellen's Natasia San Cartier rose to the challenge and took gold in the senior girls' 100-m hurdles, easily out-pacing her opponents on her way to qualifying for OFSAA.
"It was a relief to win because my preliminary race wasn't strong," said San Cartier.
"A lot of pressure was lifted off me and I am glad to have won. I never gave up and kept pushing hard in the race - that made the difference. At OFSSA, it will be difficult and it will be more of a learning experience for me."
Lasalle's Elijah Allen propelled his body to victory in the senior boys' 110-m hurdles. It was about time."It means so much to me to win this race because for the last two years I have come second," said Allen.
"This was my year and I came out and did it. I put a lot more time into my training this year, so i am running a lot stronger and faster. I going to OFSAA representing first place out of the North and it feels awesome. It will take a lot to win there. I will be prepared."
 
