A Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School (BMLSS) student recently capped off an incredibly successful high school track and field career with a gold medal at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Track and Field event on June 7.
Grade 12 student, Sydney Freeman, competed in the 400 metre hurdles race at York University, which saw 3,000 athletes compete from 850 schools across the province.
“It was a storybook ending, with this year’s competition held at the same stadium where it all started for Sydney in Grade 9. Since then, she has qualified for, and competed in, both the sprint and intermediate hurdle races at OFSAA, earning at least one medal every year. But the gold eluded her – until this year,” said BMLSS teacher-coach, Kristy Mulligan.
Throughout the day, Freeman competed her best, earning a spot in the finals. She was quick out of the blocks and cleaned up her hurdle form that had slowed her during the heats. Rounding the 200 metre mark, she was neck-and-neck with two other competitors, but as she raced through the final corner, it was clear that she was gaining, ever so slightly, on each of her opponents. Having cleared the final hurdle, Freeman left it all on the track and crossed the finish line first!
“Sydney’s time of 1:00.36 was a huge personal best,” said Mulligan. “Her parents, coaches, and teammates are all proud of the hard work Sydney has put in to achieve this incredible goal. Congrats, Sydney!”
