CDS Track Team Makes Impressive Return
After a two-year hiatus from track and field, CDS athletes were excited to be back on Hawksworth track this spring running, jumping, throwing, hurdling and passing batons. As their coaches, we looked forward to developing our young team, but were unsure of what to expect from athletes who had not competed for two years. We quickly realized we had no need to worry as we witnessed the amount of effort and talent demonstrated at the first meet.
CDS then hosted the second mini meet on a picture-perfect day in late May with 21 CISAA schools represented. For many of our athletes, this was their first experience competing on Hawksworth Track & Field. You could feel their sense of anticipation and trepidation, but coaches and other athletes rallied to put these athletes at ease. It really felt like we were one big family, looking out for one another.
The CDS track team did not disappoint their friends, parents and teachers who came out support them. There were numerous PB’s and even a school record broken by Jensen Schemmer who cleared 1.53 in the novice girls high jump.
Next up was CISAA Championships held over two days at York University. The results were outstanding as most athletes achieved a PB in at least one of their events. There were many highlights of the meet, but here are just a few:
Both the novice boys (Walker Bain, Daniel Di Poce, Aydin Jiwani & Reid Vincent) and girls (Eden Davies, Mia Lambakis, Jensen Schemmer & Kalyn Karch) 4x100m relay teams qualified for the Metro Championships. Eden (LJ), Kalyn (100m) and Jensen (80mH, 300mH, & HJ) also qualified in their individual events. Daniel Shirbegi qualified in the novice boys javelin throw.
In the junior division, Alex Estabrooks qualified in all 3 of her individual events (80mH, 100m & 200m), Tyler Shepherd qualified in the Shot Put and Javelin throw, Reese Falkenberg and Cole Sheppard qualified in the junior girls and junior boys 300mH respectively.
The senior girls 4x100m relay team of Lauren Neil, Alex Estabrooks, Reese Falkenberg and Hannah Clarke qualified for the Metro Championships. Lauren also qualified in the senior girls 400mH, while Hannah qualified in the senior girls 100mH and 200m.
The team placed 3rd overall, which is amazing!
From the CISAA Championships we took one of our largest teams (15 athletes) to compete at the Metro Championships held at Birchmount Stadium on May 25th and 26th. The top four in each event would earn their ticket to compete at the OFSAA Championships; one of the largest high school track and field meets in Canada. CDS was well represented, as each athlete put forth a valiant effort to achieve the goal(s) they set for themselves. Hannah Clarke, Alex Estabrooks, Reese Falkenberg, Lauren Neil, Jensen Schemmer and Tyler Shepherd qualified for the OFSAA Championships in 10 different events. Honorary mention goes to Cole Sheppard who placed fifth missing 4th in the 300 mH by one tenth of a second.
On June 2nd, the CDS athletes travelled to York University after their first exam for a light practice and of course to purchase the very coveted OFSAA swag. The first event for the team was the 4x100m, which took place later that evening. Lauren, Alex, Reese & Hannah were excited to get on the track and were supported by their coaches, parents, teachers, Athletic Director and friends from CDS who came to watch and cheer them on. The feeling was electric, as the 4x100m is one of the most highly anticipated races on the track. The girls ran an amazing race. Although they just missed out on qualifying for the finals, they ended their season with a PB and a new school record!
Over the next 2 two days (Friday, June 3rd and Saturday, June 4th) CDS athletes competed in 5 different track events and 2 field events.
The novice girls 80m hurdles race was the first event for Jensen Schemmer. Due to nerves, she did not run the race she had intended to, but still placed 14th. The following day was redemption for Jensen. She approached the high jump competition with confidence and ended up placing 5th overall.
Alex Estabrooks made history as she was the first CDS athlete to have competed in 4 different events at the OFSAA Championships. She qualified to compete in 3 individual events along with the senior girl’s 4x100 relay. Alex finished 9th in the hurdles, 6th in the 100m and 4th in the 200m. These outstanding performances led to 3 new PB’s, 2 new school records and met the qualifying standards for the Canadian Youth Track & Field Championships to be held in Quebec this summer. We wish her all the best as Alex competes at her first of many Canadian Championships.
Although Tyler Shepherd was disappointed with his results in shot put, he appreciated the opportunity to compete at his first OFSAA Championships. Being the 18th best shot putter in the Province is an incredible accomplishment. Tyler has set his sights on breaking at least one CDS throwing record before he graduates. There is no doubt that he is more than capable of achieving this goal.
Hannah Clarke embraced the opportunity to compete at her first OFSAA Championships after hearing all about it from her brother Caleb ‘20 and family. Hannah competed in the 100mH and in the 200m as a first-year senior. She ran a PB in the hurdles with a 12th place finish. In true Hannah style, her first words after her race were, “Ms. Steadman, I am going to train in the winter for hurdles along with playing school hockey.” Hannah knows that in order to make the hurdle final next year, she will need to master the 3 steps in between hurdles. This is the kind of attitude that has led to the success of past hurdlers. Hannah ran a solid 200m in the heats and placed 16th overall.
As you can see, the future is bright for our young and talented CDS track and field team.
Thank you Lauren, for your contributions to the track team over the past four years. We wish you all the best at the University of Bristol in England next year.
Lastly, thank you to the team for making the return to track and field so memorable. It was nice to return to sport with a committed group of athletes who put forth a strong effort and improved their performances as the season went on. Have a great summer!
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.
