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Wednesday, May 6, 2009
on-line: www.goderichsignalstar.corn
Tousaw named top athlete at University of Ottawa
mrd Cry
signal -star staff
In April, Julia Tousaw was named the
University of Ottawa's female athlete of
the year in track and field after an impres-
sive season running track.
The Goderich native took the gold med-
al in the 600 metre race at the Canadian
University Championships in Windsor
this year with a time'of 1:31:33.
"It was a really cool experience," she
said. "This time around I was better pre-
pared going into it... more confident."
• Even as a rookie, Tousaw met with suc-
cess. Last year, she placed second in the
600m in Montreal.
So what does she do when not run-
ning?
"I also do out of school track stuff," she
said. "It's sort of a special condition, our
track team is run by the Ot-
tawa Lions Track and Field
Club."
That means in addition to
school competition, Tousaw
also races the Ontario Na-
tional Track Circuit, and has
access to some of the best
training round.
"There are more opportu-
nities because of that asso-
ciation," she said.
"It's cool to be recognized
in that," she. said. "Espe-
cially when you just run be-
cause you love it."
Tousaw also won the fe-
male most -valuable player
award as well as ihe director's award for
excellence.
She said coach Normand Geguin and
Photo used with thanks
Julia Tousaw was awarded
Female Athlete of the Year
at the University of Ottawa.
his laid-back approach to
running was the reason she
was able to excel.
"The training isn't high-
pressure," she said. "(Geguin)
knows how to develop the
athlete as an individual and
as a person."
While a student at St.
Anne's in Clinton, Tousaw
medalled consistently at
OFSAA in track and cross-
country.
She said her coaches
Baird and Annette Robinson
helped her greatly during
her high school days, as did
her time spent with the St.
Thomas Legion Track and Field Club.
Tousaw trains four times a week, two
hours each time.
•
"It actually isn't that much," she said.
"Less is more if you have the right train-
ing. It's all worked around the 400-800
metre, longer sprint stuff"
Tousaw said while it's easy to let track
take over her life, this year, she's going to
6e doing a lot less running, instead taking
part in an exchange program in Switzer-
land.
"I'm definitely not going to join the
track clubs there," she said. "Probably
just a running club... maybe once, twice
a week.
"Chances are I'll be back in training
when I get back home."
A lover of the outdoors, she said no trip
home to Goderich is complete without a
run on the Maitland Trail. In the mean-
time, Tousaw was just happy to be back
home visiting family and friends.
St. Mary's keeps competition in check at chess tourney
Photo by Gerard Creces
Above, the 2009 chess champions show off their hardware. At
right, Faith Wilson exchanges pawns on her way to a second place
finish in the Grade 1 division at the Huron County Youth Chess
Tournament at Columbus Hall May 1.
¢2{009
((r•aJared Grade a R:. Jared 1, i.
�Ji i
Grade 2:Liam Morley`
Grade 3: Sam Bezair.-e, St,
(.rade 4: Benjamin I)errough, S .r< ry
Grade 5: Matthew May„ St. Mary's
Grade 6: Colin Dobson, St. Mary's
Grade 7: Alt. Conlon, St. Mary's
Grade 8: ,Jordan May, 51. Mary's
(rade 9: Lara (sohrail, St. Anne's
(rade 10: ,Jack Weiler, Central Huron
Grade 1. 1:.Joe Finnegan, (DCI
(rade 12: Gordon Ross, (DCI
Gerard Creces
signal -star staff
Checkmate.
The word popped up randomly across the expanse of
the Columbus Centre hall Friday, where 245 students
went head-to-head for the Huron County Chess Cham-
pionships, hosted by Si. Mary's School.
Filling out the rank and file of the day's chess line-
, up were 16 schools from both the public and seper-
ate board, and while all put in a good effort, it was St.
Mary's who came through the end game with eight
first -place finishes.
"Some. people might think it's' a geeky thing," said
Ward Baxter, teacher and chess club leader at St.
Mary's. "But I love chess:'
It's a love that has passed onto the students in the
club. Baxter said there's no real secret to St. Mary's
success, just practice and understanding of the
game.
"This isn't a Bobby Fischer training camp,"
he said of St. Mary's chess success. "There is
no secret, I just start them in Grade 1.
Baxter•said students are ,
introduced to the rules,
the techniques and
strategies of chess right
from the start, and with
17 of the 24 elementary
awards, that coaching
paid off in pawns.
Each student played
five games over the
day, with point totals
determining their final
rank.
Students were also
encouraged to wear
their school jerseys,
• adding a sea of colour
to an otherwise black -
and -white setting.
This is the ninth year
for the tournament, and longtime volunteer and vice-
principal at Victoria Public School Dree Parker said
there are many repeat faces at the tournament.
"Some of the Grade 9s over
there; ' he said, gesturing to the
high school tables. "Started
out as Grade is at this
tournament.
"It's been that long:.
Awards were given
for first, second and third
place finishes in all
grades.
•
/