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The Citizen, 1999-07-21, Page 9THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 21,1999. PAGE 9. 4th place internationally just a start says Belgrave teen By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff Big wins Sjaan Gerth displays the hardware from the most recent track achieve­ ments. A jump on the competition Sjaan Gerth of Belgrave is a nice young man. In conversation he shows a confidence not always typical of a 17-year -old. Yet as F.E. Madill's top athlete sits appar­ ently relaxed and poised while discussing his impressive track and field successes, one soon notices his legs are in perpetual motion. “I’m not used to sitting still,” he smiles. No kidding. Gerth whose second place finish in the 3,000 metre steeplechase at the national track and field meet in Burnaby, earned him a spot at the Pan-Am Games in Florida, July 7 to 11, is a competitor of the first order. His fourth place finish at the international contest behind two Americans and a Guatemalan is particularly noteworthy in that he has only been running the steeplechase for a year. An all-round athlete who enjoys cycling, hiking and rock climbing, Gerth also shows winning form in cross-country running, bas­ ketball, Nordic skiing, and the 1,500 and 3,000 metre track. It is interesting that his trip to the fast lane came as a result of a less than stellar athlet­ ic performance. “We moved to Belgrave when I was in Grade 4 or 5. I wasn’t much of a skater so I couldn’t play hockey.” Hearing of a track and field club in Wingham he signed on and “before I knew it I was win­ ning races. It didn’t take me long to realize I had some natural endurance.” In high school he began training a good deal, though not as much as many track athletes. “I run five times a week, basical­ ly, doing short fast stuff on the track. Most do more but it’s hard running by your­ self all the time. Going in circles can get bor­ ing.” Gerth also has Keeping a step ahead sums up the competitive edge signed up as a mem- that drives Belgrave’s Sjaan Gerth. ber ot the Saugeen club in Port Elgin, which he attends three times a week. “That has been really good because I have to catch up with a group of runners who are better than me. That keeps you faster. The competition motivates.” Good coaching has worked for him too. His high school coach Rob De Wee ver is still a good friend, says Gerth while his coach at Port Elgin, Geordie Farrell connects with Gerth. “She’s experienced and tells me what I need to do. She’s a motivator too. When someone’s yelling at you to hurry, go faster, you’re not going to let the other guy beat you.” Coming first is important to Gerth no matter what he does. Besides his involvement in athletics he served on the school’s student council this year, was part of the drama production, and maintained a 90 per cent average. “It was almost too much,” he admits. “I have to be careful that I only take on what I can handle.” His achievements come down to his competitive nature. “I want to be at the top, to be the best person there.” That said, he also has the confi­ dence to look at situations realisti­ cally and measure his successes where he can. For example, his fourth place finish in Florida was “good enough this time. I had to accept I was outclassed, but then say I’ll come back next year and win.” Though Gerth’s time was slower than in B.C., conditions were not as optimal. “I did end up beating the guy who beat me the week before so that was good.” “I’ve been blessed with some tal­ ent and can squeeze out a few wins, but the bottom line is to be the best you can be.” Family is important to that end. “It’s the rea­ son I’ve been able to do what I do,” says Gerth of the support he receives from his par­ ents, Bill and Vicki. (His 15-year-old sister Knstyn also com­ petes with some success at track meets.) That support will be extremely beneficial as Gerth enters his OAC year. “I have two possi­ bilities after high school, focussing on school at a Canadian university or getting a scholar­ ship to the States. It’s a reality that if I want to be a good runner the States is the place to Right stuff Sjaan Gerth has done impressively well in the 3,000 steeplechase, a sport in which he has only been participating for a year. train. We simply don’t have the facilities or depth here, that’s for sure.” • Admitting that he’d like to pursue his track potential for a few years, Gerth says it’s important to keep things in perspective. “An injury could change everything. That’s why I keep my marks up. The day that running is no longer there, school will be.” He hopes to someday attend medical school. For now, however, he’s working to have all he can. “With running, I want to be the best and I know I’m not. When I look down the road all things are possible. As long as I keep enjoying it, I’ll keep running.” U-7 Tigers claw way to victory Getting down to it The batter takes a swing under the pitch as she tries to make it on base in this contest matching the Belgrave Classics with the Razor’s Edge from Blyth. The teams were competing in the Belgrave Kinsmen tornament this past weekend. Ashiey Gropp photo) Game nine for the Brussels U-7 Tigers was against Listowel 4 on Tuesday, July 13 at 7 p.m. behind the BM&G Arena. Andrew Lindsay started in net. Brendan Stretton quickly took control, dribbling the bail to the Listowel end. Blake Cardiff gave a swift kick towards the opposition’s net but it didn’t result in a Brussels goal. Brussels wasn’t going to let this stop them as Stretton put the Tigers on the scoreboard first with a fantastic goal. The next shift of Robert Cronin, Elli Schimanski, Matthew Cardiff, Cameron Schlosser and Herbie Runstedler showed great passing and team work. The second goal of the game was also scored by Stretton with Vicki Blake and Brittany Thyssen bringing the score to 2-0 for Brussels. Next, Runstedler was caught sitting in goal waiting patiently for the ball to finally return to the Brussels end. Lindsay and Blake Cardiff were working hard to keep the ball there. Lindsay achieved the third goal of the game. Schlosser was in goal for Brussels next. Blake, Chris Becker and Trevor Wood were doing their jobs amazingly well and kept the play at the Listowel net. Stretton managed to wiggle his way to the Listowel net and kicked in his third goal of the game making the score 4-0 for Brussels. Lindsay immediately scored his second goal of the game. The goals kept coming with Runstedler scoring the next one followed by Listowel scoring their Blyth Storm undone in game’s second half With strong team effort, the Blyth Storm Atoms held even with the Lucknow Morrison Berries soccer squad through the first half, but were eventually outscored for the loss. After seeing Lucknow get on the scoreboard first, Richard Gregg took a pass from Drew Taylor and Jessie Hill to tie the match. Gregg scored to regain a tie when he finished the play started by Nikki Hill and Laura Benjamins. Justin Dobie helped keep Blyth in the game for the first half as he spent first goal of the game. Wood scored the next goal making the score 7-1. Lindsay quickly came back to boot the eighth goal for Brussels in the Listowel net. With Matthew Cardiff in net for the Tigers. Listowel scored their second goal. Then Runstedler scored his second goal bringing the final score to 9-2 for Brussels. The U-7 Tigers next game is Tuesday, July 27 at 7 p.m. his time between the posts. Gregg moved to the goaltending spot for the second half. Lucknow tallied two for the 4-2 win. Good aggressive play by J. Hill and Jessica Nethery kept the ball moving. The final regular season game for the Storm is July 27, at 7:30 p.m., in Blyth, against Goderich Canadian Tire. Tournament playdowns run from Aug. 3-7.