It is, without a doubt, one of the nicest benefits of
covering sports. Much like the appeal of the ever-changing
seasons in northern Ontario, the ability of each sport to wipe
the slate clean on a regular interval and start with a whole
new set of interesting storylines has a clear attraction.
It was this prevailing truth that hit me at various points over
the past couple of weeks as I visited with the high-school
track and field crews, busily preparing for another spring of
competition.
As is destiny, it seems, this year's SDSSA city relays took
place, once again, amidst a steady rainfall last week that only
appears to add to the resolve of these many dedicated athletes.
I sat back, in the days preceding the event, wondering how 2008
and beyond could possibly eclipse what I had been able to
witness over the past few years.
For those who follow track and field in great depth, it was
clear they understood the magnitude of what Lo-Ellen Park
phenom Rebecca Johnston was accomplishing during her four-year
stint at the south end school. Now making a name for herself,
as expected, in the NCAA ladies hockey ranks while attending
Cornell University, Johnston rewrote the track and field record
book while running for the Knights.
But given the SDSSA record books were given a fresh start a few
years back to recognize the change in the criteria applicable
to various age groupings, the fact remained  countless
records were broken over the very same time period.
It was only when one began comparing Johnston's times to those
of athletes over the past several decades the significance sunk
in. Recording times could be compared with the likes of
Sturgeon Falls Olympian France Gareau and more recently World
Champion competitor Lisa (Ouellet) Labrecque made it very clear
that those who were in attendance these past few years were
witnessing something very special indeed.
And it wasn't merely Johnston that could lay claim to athletic
excellence. The 2007 graduating class in Sudbury would mean a
collection of athletes which included Eric Ouellette, Andre
Pelland, Renee Jacques, Natasia San Cartier, Joey Pelletier,
Ben Charbonneau, Jeff Turgeon and countless others prepared to
take the next step, whatever lays ahead after their high-school
careers.
But it was not as though the cupboard had been left bare. Ross
Proudfoot of Lo-Ellen still has the talent to walk away with
the 1500-metre and 3000-m events, baring injuries. Eric Roque,
the reigning city 100-m sprint champion, continues to chase
down the elusive sub-11 second race. Tianna Deck, who has twice
cracked the top eight at OFSAA, has regained her championship
form based on early season results. 
A bronze medalist at OFSAA in the midget ranks, discus thrower
Josh Haslam has learned quickly how tough the challenge is to
maintain among the elite with each and every passing year. But
he'll be tough to beat at SDSSA and NOSSA.
Other names to watch include Grace Thomson, Serena San Cartier,
Ellen Andrews, Craig Riehl, Benoit Bizier, Kristine Lalonde,
Alex Swanson and Julie Hebert. And there will be others. Which,
of course, brings me right back to the changing of the guard in
the realm of Sudbury track and field.
No sooner do we bemoan the athletes we shall see compete no
more (at least not within the high-school ranks) that we also
welcome the newcomers so eager to create their own legacy. On
the slick track that was the Laurentian University oval this
past Wednesday, the torch may well have been passed.
The Lo-Ellen Park Knights Midget girl's 4 X 100-m relay team
recorded a blazing time of 51.30, the fastest time ever
recorded by a local female high-school team at any age grouping
for the relay competition.
Led by the ultra-talented Alannah MacLean, the Knights
foursome, which also included Carley Dailey, Kyla Pettigrew and
Katarina Schwabe, posted a time that was almost a half second
better than the Nickel District Cougars junior girls' team of
1982. The time posted by the Lo-Ellen midgets would have
allowed them to capture the Junior event by 2.5 seconds and the
senior girls race by a second and a half.
Randy Pascal is the voice of Persona 10 Sports and founder of Sudbury Sports.com.
