BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
If it wasn't for Carly Montpellier, Ecole
Secondaire Catholique Champlain wouldn't have a high school
cross-country running team.
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Carly Montpellier has earned the
respect of everyone at Ecole Secondaire Catholique
Champlain. The talented athlete stepped in to coach the
cross-country running team when it looked like the
program was going to fold. |
Last year, the team's coach quit because of a
job change. The program was in jeopardy. When nobody came
forward to coach, Montpellier, who also competes for the team,
stood up, grabbed the reins and took on the responsibility as
coach.
She became a teenager coach/athlete in a
matter of days.
"I knew full well if I wanted to keep
running, I would have to do both (coaching and competing),"
said Montpellier. "I wanted to take it on and have the
responsibility."
Champlain's team consists of a mix of 10 boys
and girls.
"I find ways to encourage them," said the
feisty runner. "Most of them all practice really hard. I try
and lead by example. With me being an athlete, I know what it's
like to be a runner and how hard it is.
"I've been through a lot, so I can help the
other runners. The team is doing well. We have some new runners
who are strong. They love the sport as much as I do. I push
them all to do their best. As long as they try their hardest,
it's all I can ask for."
Besides preparing, training and actually
running her own races, Montpellier, 17, carries an extra heavy
load with her coaching duties, which she doesn't seem to
mind.
The energetic sprinter fills out runner
lists, eligibility lists, organizes uniforms, leads practices
and arranges meets, among other things.
"I love to run and I love to be challenged
everyday," said Montpellier. "This is helping me realize what I
want to do in the future. I want to do good and I don't want to
let myself or the team down. It's all worth it because these
kids wouldn't be getting a chance to compete if I wasn't doing
this."
Montpellier's inspirational efforts have been
noticed by the school.
"Carly is the heart and soul of our
cross-country running team," said Champlain's athletic
administrator Lynn MacLean. "Carly was brave enough to take
over the (coaching) responsibilities last year and if she
didn't take the time to run the team, there wouldn't be a
team."
Montpellier, who is also vice-president on
student council, is the true definition of a Champlain
athlete.
"Carly is a big role model," said MacLean.
"To the athletic program, she's a big part of recruiting
students for other sports teams such as gymnastics, girls
hockey and track and field. She excels in those sports as well.
She is a good leader."
Montpellier's dedication knows no bounds. She
works two part-time jobs and coaches gymnastics and referees
volleyball in Chelmsford.
Last year, Montpellier made it to the Ontario
Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) track and
field championships. The event was held in Windsor and that
created a problem, but not an impossible one.
Montpellier had a prom to go to on the same
day as well.
So she and her mother, Sharon, drove to
Windsor by themselves. Montpellier competed at OFSAA, finishing
16th in the 1,500-metre steeplechase.
Then the two drove all the way back to
Sudbury in time for the prom.
"My mom has been there for me in every
sport...She's a tank," said Montpellier.
For now, Montpellier will continue to coach
and compete for the team. She plans on attending Royal Military
College next year.
"I am doing everything I want to be
doing."
