Couchie becomes an OFSAA champion

Beautiful sunny skies and a gentle tailwind provided the perfect setting for the midget boys OFSAA javelin throw on Friday at the Toronto Track and Field Centre at York University.

With a field of over 20 athletes from across the province, Northern Secondary School’s Brent Couchie went the distance, winning the 2018 OFSAA Midget Boys Javelin title.

The 15-year-old from Nipissing First Nation threw his personal best of the year. With an impressive 44.94 meter throw, Couchie edged Ajax’s Reuel Thomas by over a meter and a half.

Couchie, a grade 9 student who resides in Sturgeon Falls and attends Northern Secondary School, remained humble in victory.

“I think I could have done done better,” he reflected.

“I didn’t go in too confident. I can still work on my form and go for more distance.”

With strength and finesse from an athletic and artistic background, Couchie picked up the art of Javelin throwing naturally. He spends his winters on the ice playing defence in hockey, and is a head grass dancer who travels to powwows across the country. He began his throwing career this year and has added almost 10 meters to his throw since the NDA finals in May.

Couchie is the oldest out of his siblings and was supported at the event by his grandmother. His cousin Shandace Couchie was also there to cheer him on after her Shot Put event.

Northern Secondary School is not new to developing high level javelin throwers. Last year, Timothy Hatton won the OFSAA Senior Boys Javelin Throw with a mark of 56.56 meters. Hatton’s mother Catherine is currently the head coach of the track and field team and is a teacher at Northern. Couchie continues Northern’s tradition of excellence in.

Nicole Cartwright, Couchie’s coach and teacher at Northern Secondary School, was ecstatic at Couchie’s performance.

“I’m a proud coach,” Cartwright said.

“He should be proud of his accomplishments.”

OFSAA Track and Field events continue Saturday and will feature several local athletes. Results can be found HERE