Making CDS Track & Field History
This was an exceptional year for our Senior Track Team as many PBs (personal bests) were set and the most ever school records were broken in one season.
The CISAA Championships were held over two days in Oshawa. The results were outstanding as most athletes set new PBs in at least one of their events and six school records were broken. The Junior Girls team placed 2nd overall which is an incredible feat considering there were only five girls on the team!
From the CISAA Championships, 10 athletes qualified for the Metro Championships in 16 different events. The top four in each event would then continue on to the Provincial Championships (OFSAA). CDS was very well represented, as each athlete put forth their best effort. David Di Paola (Grade 12) finished his last high school race by running a PB in the 110mH. Alessia Masini (Grade 9) and Alessia Pizzimenti (Grade 10) were so close to qualifying for OFSAA, placing 5th in their events. A total of six records were broken at the Metro Championships by Raelle Falkenberg (Grade 9) in the MG 100m, Wilson O’Neill (Grade 9) in the MB 100mH and 300mH, Alessia Pizzimenti in the JG 3000m, Jane Stanton (Grade 10) in the JG 200m and by the Junior Girls 4x100m relay team of Kendall Langston (Grade 10), Raelle Falkenberg, Jessica Faieilla (Grade 10) and Jane Stanton. Overall, the team had a fantastic two days at Metros!
After further qualifications were met, on June 3, Jane Stanton and Wilson O’Neill headed to Windsor, Ontario for the OFSAA Track & Field Championships. CDS has a rich history of athletes competing at the OFSAA Championships in a variety of track and field events and athletes have always represented CDS well, as some jumped, ran or threw PBs.
Competing at OFSAA is an experience of a lifetime, as Jane and Wilson were among the top 24 athletes in Ontario in their events. Jane finished her last race of the season by setting a new PB, placing 12th overall in the 80m hurdles. This is an amazing accomplishment!
The last track and field athlete to win a medal at the OFSAA Championships was Ruthann Gairdner ’00 in June 2000. Ruthann won the Gold medal in the 400m hurdles and went on to run for RICE University in Texas.
This year, Wilson O’Neill not only set new PBs and school records, but he did what no other CDS male track athlete has ever accomplished before; he won an OFSAA medal. It was very exciting to watch Wilson blossom into a hurdler at OFSAA as he was able to cruise to the finals in both the sprint and intermediate hurdles.
Wilson came to OFSAA as an unknown, but left quite an impression on his competitors, other coaches, and even the announcers. He made CDS history as the first male to win not just one but two medals at OFSAA.
Congratulations to Wilson on placing 3rd in both the 100m hurdles and the 300m hurdles! Wilson should be very proud of the way he stayed humbled and focused while dealing with the pressure of newfound fame. Well done, Wilson!
We are so proud of each of you - congratulations on another stellar track season. Good luck to David next year as he graduates. We will miss you next year, but wish you all the best at the University of Waterloo.
Ms. Steadman & Ms. Winterink
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
