Track North tackles Olympic trials

BY SCOTT HADDOW

Track North athletes are going to be making noise this weekend as they take on the best in the country at the Canadian track and field championships / Olympic trials in Windsor.

With the Olympic Summer Games occurring in Beijing, China in August, Canada's best track athletes are ready to give their all in an attempt to land a coveted spot on the national track and field squad.

Track North has four athletes competing at the event this weekend: Madeleine Woods (800-metre), Ben Charbonneau (javelin), Caroline Ehrhardt (triple jump and long jump) and Andrew Ellerton (800-m).

Ellerton, who just finished his college career at the University of Michigan, is close to making the grade. At recent events he has been close to the Olympic standard, but must meet the Canadian A standard time of 1:45.24 if he hopes to land a spot.

"When I had a three-week setback in April with some Achilles tendinitis, I knew I was going to be cutting it close to hit the standards in time...I've been gearing up mentally for what I'll need to do at the trials to qualify," Ellerton said. "Now it's just a matter of taking care of business."

Charbonneau is eager to prove his worth and set a new personal best.   

"Personal bests are always something I strive to improve," Charbonneau said. "Nothing would make me happier than breaking 60 meters at this meet."

Ehrhardt is a rare case, as she's just 16. This is her first taste of big-time track action and competing against the best in Canada.

"It really means a lot to me because I think it's a testament of just how hard I work," Ehrhardt said. "I would be excited just going to watch, but competing is going to be awesome. It means a lot to me because I look up to these athletes. Where they are right now is where I would like to be when I am their age."

Woods said she is going to enjoy herself as this is her first Olympic Trials event.

"I'm going to have fun and gain experience," she said. "It will be great exposure for me. If I have fun and run well, I will be quite happy."

Track North coach Dick Moss said he is proud of these athletes who have given up so much to realize this opportunity.

"Andrew has a shot at making the Olympic team...but it's a tough job, given the standards the Canadian Olympic Committee has established," Moss said.

"Not only must he run faster than the Olympic standard of 1:46.0, he has to run the Canadian A+ standard of 1:45.24. He must also run heats and finals and ultimately place in the top four at the trials. For the others, they'll get excellent experience at their first Olympic trials. They'll be competing against the best international-level athletes in Canada and will be able to take that experience into the next four years of competition. If they can achieve personal bests at this meet, that would be tremendous."