Friday July 25 2008

RECORD PACE CONTINUES FOR JIM STEACY: Full field contests track meet

By DAVID WELLS
of the Lethbridge Herald

In Olympic parlance, the ancient sport North Americans refer to as track and field is simply known as athletics.

Wednesday, 272 athletes put it on the line for individual and team glory in the 2001 South Zone High School Track and Field Championships at the University of Lethbridge.

The South Zone is comprised of 32 high schools. For track purposes the zone is initially divided into six districts. Top-two event representatives from each district were eligible to square-off Wednesday. On June 8-9 in Edmonton the cycle completes when two reps per event from all eight zones test their mettle in the 2001 McDonald's/Alberta Schools Athletic Association Provincial Track and Field Meet.

Prior to 1994, ASAA track banners were determined along regional lines. However, since that year the ultimate Wild Rose Country team honours have been awarded to schools using the 1A-4A school size format. It's been a boon to South Zone institutions who have subsequently claimed 11 of 28 provincial titles.

The 1A-4A format is now utilized at the South Zone Meet, too. Some traditional powers added to their legacy and banner collection Wednesday.

Foremost, winner of five consecutive 1A (under-100 students) provincial titles, retained the 1A South Zone crown Wednesday. Vulcan County Central, two-time defending provincial 2A (100-299 students) champs, won 2001 South Zone 2A, Winston Churchill took the 3A (300-799 students) South Zone and Lethbridge Collegiate Institute once again emerged victorious in the 4A (unlimited enrollment) South Zone category.

Of course, (other than relays) track is and field is a very individual sport, too. Wednesday's female individual aggregate winners were Katherine Metzler (Junior -- Pincher Creek Matthew Halton) and Melissa White Grass (Intermediate -- Kainai), while Laura Karl (LCI) and Cindie Dennis (Lundbreck Livingstone) tied atop the Senior tables.

On the boys' side LCI's Darren Peterson was the Junior victor and LCI's David Rumer emerged with the most Intermediate points. The Senior category finished in a tie for first between Catholic Central's Kieren Ward and Vaughn Bard from Claresholm Willow Creek Composite.

Records are also part and parcel of track and field. Organizers noted four new South Zone Championships standards were set in Wednesday's gale.

LCI's David Rumer rambled 3000-metres in 10:07 for an Intermediate Boys' mark. Foremost's Lorraine Harty covered 10.43 metres making history in Senior Girls triple jump. Crowsnest Consolidated's Kyle Kutcher negotiated the Intermediate Boys 100-m hurdles in 13.45.

The oldest record to be eclipsed was Intermediate Boys discus. Winston Churchill's impressive six-foot-three, 212-pound, 17-year-old Grade 11 Jim Steacy spun and flung the implement 47.66 metres, breaking a standard established by Lanny Tron in 1977.

Tron was also a large-but-nimble Churchill star. He went on to significant track glory beyond the high school scene. Steacy is that kind of performer too. Track insiders were buzzing about his potential Wednesday.

Steacy was a successful junior high thrower at Paterson and did quite well in his first year of high school competition, finishing second in the Junior discus at the 2000 South Zone meet and eighth at 2000 ASAA provincials.

However, at about this time last spring Steacy decided to start training with Chinook Track and Field under the guidance of throwing guru Larry Steinke. The progress has been nothing short of remarkable.

Last summer Steacy showed his marked improvement on the national stage finishing second in the hammer (not an Alberta high school event) at the Canadian Legion Championships. In the fall Steacy decided to forgo all other sports, training for throws five days a week, plus lifting weights three times weekly.

Here's a measure of Steacy's startling development. He threw the discus 34 metres in the 2000 South Zones. Wednesday he produced a 13 metre betterment in an event where a five-metre improvement would be a noted achievement -- and his personal best has climbed to 51.65.

Steacy also won the Intermediate Boys shotput Wednesday. ASAA provincial competitors had best be ready next week.

"I'd like to take first in shot and discus," said Steacy. "My summer goal is to make Team Canada for the World Youth Championships."

That global outing will be held in Hungary. He's met the qualifying standard in hammer and discus. The Canadian team will be announced June 15.

Steacy is looking at track as a long-term endeavor. When asked whether the Olympics are a goal he smiled and said, "definitely a dream."

A dream which Jim Steacy is pursuing with great vigor, strength and technique.

As a Provincially and Nationally Recognized Club Our Athletes Compete at all Levels From school, local, regional, national and international championships.

Are You Up to the Challenge?

Head Coach: Larry Steinke
Club Address:
Box 21047
140 Columbia Blvd.
Lethbridge, AB
T1K-6x4

Email:chinook@canthrow.com
Email:steinke@uleth.ca
Phone: 403-328-8836