 |
||
 |
 |
|
                  Development by:  |
THROWING NEWSEvely, Reed and Armstrong enjoy track and field's success By Angela MacIsaac, Daily News Sports Reporter From the Kamloops Daily News, Monday April 15, 2002 While the community's recognition is important, the success of Kamloops Track and Field Club athletes is the pinnacle, says Derek Evely. The Club's head coach received a Kamloops Sports Council Award of Excellence Saturday during the council's awards banquet, which ran in conjunction with the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at the UCC Grand Hall. The Award of Excellence is only presented when the council deems an individual has achieved something "extra special" said master of ceremonies Earl Seitz. Evely was Canada's throws coach at the World Track and Field Championships in Edmonton last summer. His two key athletes, thrower Dylan Armstrong and runner Gary Reed, combined to win seven medals at major competitions - national and international - in 2001. "That's the best part of the job, being able to watch those athletes come along and evolve," said Evely, after claiming his award. "It's great when you have everything in place and it all works out." Evely wasn't the only KTFC member who took home an award. Reed was named Kamloops' Male Athlete of the Year, following in Armstrong's footsteps. The thrower was a three-time winner as Male Athlete of the Year and received an Award of Excellence last year. Reed was on Canada's 4x400-metre relay team at the worlds, won gold for BC in the 400m and 4x400m at the Canada Summer Games in London, Ont., and won bronze in the 400m at the Senior Nationals. "It was a tiring year but, at the same time, it was satisfying," said Reed. "I was away from home about six or seven weeks -- and thanks to Frank Quinn, by the way, for giving me all that time off work." Reed's lone goal for 2001 was to compete in the world championships. Anything after that was icing on the cake. "That was the No. 1 goal," he said. "I banked 11 months of training on it and got put in Lane 8 at Nationals, but it all worked out for the best." Evely is the "best coach in the country," said Reed, and is adjusting the runner's training to focus on the 800m. It means that Reed gets to set new goals and accomplish new feats. "I love that,", said the 20-year-old. "I'm at the age where people are limited to certain events, but I somehow find a way to change events and keep things interesting." Armstrong's mother, Judy, was named Sportsperson of the Year for her work as a throws official at the worlds, as a member of the KTFC executive and as a member of the BC Athletics board of directors. The best part of being a sportsperson, she said, is being the mother of two successful young men - Dylan, the Canadian hammer throw champion, and David, a leader on the Westsyde Whundas senior boys basketball team and a provincial all-star. "My family comes first in my life," she said. "To have this honour is great as well. Through my boys, I've been given the opportunity to give back to the sports community. It's a great honour to be respected in your community and I'm thankful for that." Added Dylan: "She works hard and she well deserves it. Living at home, I see her at the work all the time." Her efforts do not go unnoticed by Evely. "Judy has been everything to me and the club," he said. "I feel really bad because I didn't thank her when I was accepting the award. The one person....but I started to get dry mouthed at the end. I guess I was a little nervous." Evely also recognized the support of the KTFC executive which "gives me the freedom to do whatever I want at Hillside Stadium" and the business community. "They give me the resources to do what I love - produce athletes," he said. He added he hopes the support continues and increases because there are more Armstrongs and Reeds waiting in the wings. "I have tons of them," he said. "I have some young throwers coming up that look really, really good, some pole vaulters. I'm really impressed. They always just seem to fall in my lap. I don't know what that is, but I'm just lucky the talent comes my way and I can do something with it. If you have news, results or information that you would like to share, please let us know by using our submissions form or contact Larry Steinke. [ MEET INFORMATION ] [ ANALYSIS & TIPS ] [ THROWS ARTICLES ] [ INTERVIEWS ] [ RECORDS ] [ RESULTS ] [ CLASSIFIEDS ] [ HOT LINK ARCHIVE ] [ DISCUSSION FORUM ] [ SUBMISSIONS ] [ THROWERS QUIZ ] [ GUESTBOOK ] |
|