Barons claim second straight Track and Field title

The École Secondaire Catholique Algonquin Barons Track & Field team successfully defended their overall NDA Track & Field title Wednesday at the NDA Championships held at Cundari Field. In accumulating a total of 753 points, they bested the 2nd place St-Joseph’s-Scollard Hall Bears, who garned 675.5 points. Chippewa Raiders rounded out the top three in accumulating 415 points.

The Barons also won three team titles – the Midget and Senior Girls’ banners, the Senior Boys banner as well as the Girls Aggregate title. The Bears also won 3 team titles (Junior Girls, Junior and Senior Boys) and also captured the Boys Aggregate banner.

Individually, the Barons were led by Alisha Perron, Jillian Callahan and Daryan Libby who each won their 3 events. Perron won the Senior Girls discus, javelin and shot put. Callahan was tops in the Senior Girls 100m, 200m and 400m, while Daryan Libby captured her 3 first place finishes in the Midget Girls 100m, 200m and long jump. Also bringing home first place finishes were: Dominique Chartrand (Jr. Girls 800m, 1500m), Patrick Dufresne (Jr. Boys 300m hurdles and triple jump), Bobby Gustafson (Jr. Boys high jump and triple jump), Elissa Hinschberger (Jr. Girls javelin), Shannon Jerome (Midget Girls 800m and 1500m), Patrick Laférrière (Sr. Boys 400m hurdles), Jordan Mino (1500m wheelchair), Nadine Perron (Jr. Girls discus) and Adam Price (Sr. Boys 400m and long jump). The following relay teams were also victorious: 4 X 400 Girls Open, the 4 X 100 Midget Girls, Junior Boys, and Senior Girls.

“We had an outstanding day," said Barons Head Coach Mike Ohlman.

“The kids worked hard, and some sacrificed themselves in order to help the team win the Overall title. It’s nice to see their hard work and dedication paying off. They are very proud of this accomplishment."

The Barons fielded the largest team (56 members) of the competition and, despite having one of the smallest student bodies, the coaching staff works diligently in providing top notch coaching for these athletes.

A total of 45 athletes for the Barons qualified for the NOSSA championships being held in Sault Ste Marie next Thursday and Friday.

(complete results for the NDA Championship are available at www3.sympatico.ca/mjhohlman)


PERRON CAPTURES 2ND STRAIGHT FERGIE DOWDALL AWARD

Alisha Perron, fifth year thrower for the ESC Algonquin Barons Track & Field team, captured her 2nd straight Fergie Dowdall Memorial Award as the most outstanding athlete at the NDA Track & Field Championships held at the Cundari Field Wednesday.

“It’s such an honour," exclaimed Perron.

“I didn’t think it was possible to win it two years in row. It was an amazing day, probably the best meet of my life."

Perron was chosen by all the NDA Track & Field coaches at the meets conclusion. Also considered for the award were Matt Walters from West Ferris and Jeremy Poeta from SJSH, however, Perron’s setting an all-time NDA record in the discus with a toss of 35.11m (besting Algonquin alumnus Christine Francoeur’s 1999 record).

“Alisha hasn’t missed a practice in the five years she’s been here”, said her coach Mike Ohlman.

“She works so hard, is such a good teammate, its makes it easy to coach."

Submitted to BayToday.ca