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Friday July 25 2008
Jr. Pan Ams next stop for hammer thrower
From the Lethbridge Herald Oct 13 2001
By RANDY JENSEN
Lethbridge Herald
Lethbridge's Jim Steacy will cap off an incredible 2001 track and field season when
he leaves Sunday for Santa Fe, Argentina for the 2001 Pan American Junior Track
and Field Championships.
Steacy was named to the Canadian team along with Lethbridge pole vaulter Brynn
Anderson. Anderson, who is attending the University of Alberta, is part of a
nationally recognized pole vault program at the Lethbridge Track and Field Club
which has produced three-time Canadian junior champion Karla McGee.
Steacy's year has been phenomenal, including a trip to the World Junior Track and
Field Championships in Debrecen, Hungary, where he carried Canada's flag in the
opening ceremonies.
"I've been working all year towards this (worlds and Pan Ams)," said the 17-year-old
Steacy. "This is the icing on the cake.
"My goal was to make the World Youth team and then in June or July the Pan Ams
came along."
Steacy, who is coached by Larry Steinke of the Chinook Track Club, will be
competing in the 16-pound hammer throw at the Pan Ams. He's also very adept at
the discus and has won numerous provincial and national medals at the juvenile and
junior levels. He's ranked first in Canada in the juvenile men's hammer throw and
discus, second in the junior men's hammer throw and 12th in the open men's
hammer.
He's set personal bests in the 16-lb. hammer throw (52.59 metres), the five-kg
hammer (63.4 metres) and discus (51.65 metres).
"I'm extremely pleased with what I've done this year," said Steacy. "I improved a lot,
more than expected. It's all because of good coaching, hard work and support from
everybody."
Some of that support has come financially. None of the athletes received any funding
from Athletics Canada for the Pan Ams, leaving them to fend for themselves.
Several businesses came through for Steacy including Bullys, 95.5/The Hawk, D.A.
Electric, Pepsi, Fiorino Ltd., Pizza Hut, Gold and Gold Productions, Subway
Sandwiches and Casino ABS. Lethbridge city council gave $1,000 while Lethbridge
West MLA Clint Dunford contacted Gene Zwozdesky, minister of community
development, which came through with funding through the Alberta Sport,
Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation.
As well, Terry Dennis hosted a car wash at The Edge nightclub which produced
another $532.
Steacy will be one of the younger athletes at the Pan Ams, which are for athletes 19
and under.
"My coach and I have set a goal to finish in the top five. I just want to throw as far
as I can and finish as high as I can."
Steacy is in Grade 12 at Winston Churchill High School where he has already
qualified for Alberta Rutherford Scholarships in Grades 10 and 11.
Despite tremendous interest from NCAA schools for throws prowess, Steacy has
already decided he will attend the University of Lethbridge next year to pursue degrees
in kinesiology and physical education and hopes to teach and coach in Lethbridge in
the future.
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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
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