Based on the success of RLA’s throwers, Track and Field Coach John Ahlstedt has declared the sport is now Field and Track.
The 10 RLA track and field athletes entered the zone 3 competition on Tuesday, May 16, up against opponents with more than 80 students on their track teams, such as EL Crossley and Welland Centennial.
The day started strong with novice boys shot put, and Bryan Davies easily winning a gold medal and putting the zone competitors on notice that Robert Land Academy is no joke in the art of throwing. As the day went on the boys did not back down. Davies once again showed his talents in discus, throwing an impressive 36.30 to start the season placing him second. Bryant Ogoh was shell shocked in his first event and just missed the cut in discus placing 5th but was determined to get to SOSSA by unleashing a personal best in the shot put by over a meter, throwing a 10.92 and placing him 4th. Ramiro Torres placed second in shot put only behind the national champion. He just missed the cut in long jump however but jumped a massive personal best of 5.70 meters. Fode Kaba, Edwin Ajaere, and Dafydd Jenkins all walked into the discus competition a little timid. Barely making top 8 to get three more throws. Luckily, they left some in the tank and all three threw massive personal bests on the 5th and 6th throws, finishing 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the competition and advancing on. Dafydd also had personal bests in the 100m and 200m running respectable times of 12.1 in the 100 and 24.1 in the 200.
As for the running, we weren’t as strong ,but that didn’t stop us from advancing on a runner. Christian Gravel-Pucillo ran 3000m and placed 4th allowing him the opportunity to compete at SOSSA as well.
Of the ten students who competed on Tuesday, seven will be advancing to SOSSA (Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association) facing the top competitors from across Southern Ontario.
