THUNDER BAY – Lauren Perrier had one goal on her mind this week – a return trip to the Ontario Federation of Secondary School Athletics championships.
On Tuesday she made it happen.
The 16-year-old St. Patrick High School long-jumper topped the field to capture the senior girls competition on Day 1 of the NWOSSAA track and field championship held at Fort William Stadium.
“It wasn’t my personal best, but it was still all right, I guess” Perrier said.
“I tried it last year and I really liked jumping. I didn’t really like track, but I enjoyed OFSSAA so I wanted to go there again.”
Her win was a relief, she added.
“There was a lot of stress building up the days to this,” said Perrier, who practiced every day for months on end to reach the top of the podium.
Perrier was one of about 350 athletes from 15 schools across Northwestern Ontario to take part in the event.
Also off to a good start was Dryden’s Kadin Taylor, who raced to a first-place finish in his junior boys 400-metre heat.
The chance to compete against the region’s best made this meet particular special for the 15-year-old.
“Normally back home we have small stuff. We don’t have big meets like this, so it’s fun to see all the people out here,” Taylor said.
It’s a regional showcase, said Superior Secondary Schools Athletic Association activities director David Pineau.
“It sort of culminates the year, even though it’s not our last event,” Pineau said.
“It’s our last big event and when you get together in this atmosphere, with this many student athletes and teacher-coaches, it’s really a feel-good event for our students and the city in general.”
It’s also a chance for high-level athletes to show just how good they can be.
“Every year some new superstars come out of the mix and some athletes, perhaps, who are starting out in Grade 9 figure out they are superstars-in-waiting. Some go on to OFSSA and they really can see what it’s about in terms of provincial caliber athletics,” Pineau said.
The competition wraps up on Wednesday.
