by Garrett Fodor
As the school-year comes to an end, so to does the track and field season.
Essex District High School (EDHS) entered this track and field season with a team of 28, 14 boys and 14 girls. The season began in early March and came to an end this past weekend.
Teachers Andy Hahn, Badi Qawwas, and Josh Muldon coached this team of dedicated students from its first practice to its recent OFSAA visit.
After a strong showing at the OFSAA West Regionals meet, the Red Raiders had 14 athletes qualify for 13 individual events and three relays at the OFSAA Championships, which was held June 6-8th at the University of Guelph.
The EDHS team ended up having several strong individual and group performances at the recent OFSAA event.
EDHS athletes Kevin Schulz, Cale Timuik, Milan Lobana, and Cole Market earned silver in the Junior Boys’ 4x100 metre relay. Timuk also finished 7th in the 100 metre hurdles, 6th in the 100 metre, and 9th in the 300m hurdles.
Lobana also earned a silver in the Junior Boys’ long jump and gold in Junior Boys’ triple jump. And, teammate Spencer Campeau finished 3rd in the Senior Boys’ long jump.
The Junior Boys’ team finished second in the overall age group standings, and as a team, the boys finished 4th overall in the province.
In the 4x400 metre open girls relay, EDHS athletes Zoe Reamue, Kyra McKibbin, Candance Nelson, and Taylor Campeau finished 6th.
Qawwas said he and fellow coaches were pleased with the OFSAA outcome and were proud of the athletes for their performances and the hard work they have put forth throughout the season. He added that only one athlete from OFSAA, Kim Orton, graduates this year, with the remaining 13 OFSAA athletes returning to EDHS next year.
While the EDHS team is small, compared to others that participate at OFSAA and WECSSAA, Qawwas said he believes the success EDHS garnered this year shows the dedication and talent of the athletes. He added that it makes their accolades more valuable and shows you don’t need a big team to succeed.
EDHS will hope to carry this success into the next school year. The athletes will also be celebrate and recognize for all their accomplishments at the athletic banquet, which will be held on June 17 at the Essex Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 201).