HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-08-18, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2016. PAGE 9.
Jacklin earns bronze at national track and field
A big win
With only a few months of training under his belt, local track and field star Ryan Jacklin brought
home a bronze medal in the javelin event from the Royal Canadian Legion National Track and
Field meet earlier this month. From left: Nelson Atambi from Quebec who took silver in the
javelin with his throw of 53.36 metres, Jarrett Chong from British Columbia who earned gold
with his 54.38 metre throw and Jacklin who threw a personal best of 52.18 metres, setting a
new record for the event for Ontario. (Photo submitted)
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
Ryan Jacklin, an F.E. Madill
School student, managed some
impressive gains during the Royal
Canadian Legion National Track and
Field Championships in Sainte -
Therese, Quebec.
Jacklin placed third in the javelin
throw at the tournament and also
competed in the discus and shot put
events.
"The tournament went well," he
said in an interview with The
Citizen. "I didn't do my best in the
discus, but in the shot put I increased
my personal best by 0.57 metres and
in the javelin I broke my personal
best by 3.7 metres."
Jacklin's personal best is also now
the provincial best for U15 Boys, as
he broke the previous record by 72
centimetres.
The event was nerve-wracking
according to the teen, who said he
didn't know what to expect, but he
said once he got into his events and
focused on what he was doing, it
became easier.
Fun in the sun
The Brussels Farmers' Market runs rain or shine and it was certainly shining on Friday, Aug.
12. The heat didn't deter the regular crowds, however, as people lined up for good music, fresh
food and some unique finds. (DennyScottphoto)
"The training prepared me for the
event," he said. "It helped a lot. Both
of my coaches at Madill and at the
Saugeen Shores club said don't
worry, just go to the events and
throw as far as you can."
Jacklin said the event started out
daunting, but proved to be fun as he
got to know his other competitors,
specifically Jarrett Chong from
British Columbia. Chong, who took
the gold in the javelin with a 54.83 -
metre throw, was impressed by
Jacklin's gains in the sport.
"He has been throwing for seven
years," Jacklin said. "He couldn't
believe that I just started doing it a
couple months ago."
Jacklin hopes this will be the first
medal of many as he plans to
continue to participate in track and
field events at school, through the
Royal Canadian Legion and beyond.
However, for the time being, he is
going to enjoy some time off.
"I'm going to take a month off,
and maybe hit the gym a couple of
times before I start my off-season
training in November," he
said, adding that he won't be
participating in events again
until next year.
The medal marks the end of a long
journey for Jacklin who started
training for his events in April. Since
then, he has competed at regional
and provincial tournaments held by
the Royal Canadian Legion before
heading to Sainte -Therese.
In a previous interview, Jacklin
touted the importance of joining a
track club for people interested in
pursuing track and field events.
He said the bi-weekly training at
the Saugeen Track Club in Port
Elgin, on top of his training at
school, played a big part in his
successes this year.
Wawanosh in the
Moonlight Aug. 24
Wawanosh Valley Conservation
Area is familiar territory to many
families, school classes and
community groups. It's the site of
Maitland Conservation's Wawanosh
Nature Centre and the property is
also well used by hikers and anglers.
On Aug. 24 Maitland Conservation
is inviting visitors to explore the
property in a very different way by
taking a twilight walk along the
trails. The event begins at 7 p.m.
with a short presentation in the
Nature Centre followed by guided
walks in the forests and meadows.
Erin Dolmage, Stewardship
Education Technician, reports that
walking through the Conservation
Area at dusk is a unique experience.
"Twilight provides a backdrop
where even familiar trails take on a
new look and feel," said Dolmage.
During the walk Maitland staff
will discuss animals that are active
at night with a special emphasis on
the types of insects that call and fly
in the dark.
"We don't always realize how
much activity there is in the forests
and fields at night," said Dolmage.
"There's a wide variety of insects
and mammals specifically adapted
to nocturnal life."
The walk will conclude with owl
calling and a search for fireflies.
Lemonade and hot dogs will round
out the evening. This year a short
walk for younger children will be
offered along with a longer route for
those want to linger in the
moonlight.
Admission is free. Visitors are
encouraged to dress appropriately
for the weather and to bring a
flashlight. Wawanosh Valley
Conservation Area is located at
38854 Nature Centre Rd. in the
Township of North Huron.
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