Daniel slays the competition
Daniel Swayze went into the high school track and field season with high expectations.
“Being a two-time SOSSA (Southern Ontario Secondary School Association) champion was expected but I wasn’t expecting to win in high jump,” said the Grade 9 student at the District School Board of Niagara Academy.
The 15-year-old surprised himself last week when he won the midget boys javelin, discus and high jump at the SOSSA track and field meet, but the triple gold meet shouldn’t have been a shocker considering his impressive track and field background.
Competing in track and field with the Thorold Elite Track Club for the past two years, Swayze is already an Athletics Ontario and Ontario Minor Track Association medalist in javelin, discus, high jump, and shot put. He competed at Legion nationals last year in Manitoba and finished fourth in the javelin as a Grade 8 competing against Grade 9s. He also placed sixth in discus at nationals.
His personal bests are 46.5 metres in javelin, 40.8 metres in discus and 1.71 metres in high jump.
Swayze continued his winning ways Friday at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations’ South Region track and field meet at the Niagara Olympic Club, placing first in the midget boys javelin and discus to advance to the OFSAA championships June 6-8 in Guelph. He finished fifth in high jump to fail to advance to OFSAA but that blip didn’t detract from what has been an excellent season so far.
“In only two years doing track, he has two bedroom walls completely covered with track memorabilia, including over 40 medals,” Thorold coach Steve Fife said. “Daniel started as a distance runner who decided he didn’t like running anymore so we tried him in discus and javelin and he picked them up pretty well.”
Swayze has set some high goals for himself heading to the provincial high school championships.
“I want to win OFSAA for discus and javelin and throw about 55 metres for javelin.”
He practices once or twice a week and enjoys both disciplines.
“I like throwing things,” he said, with a smile. “Everyone wants to throw a spear.”
In addition to track and field, Swayze represents his school in every other sport it competes in.
“I was good in sports, but once I started training in javelin and discus I knew I could get further.”
It’s obvious where his future lies beyond high school.
“I want to go to a school in the States and get a scholarship somewhere.”
Swayze won the javelin Friday but wasn’t pleased his top throw was almost five metres less that what he threw at the SOSSA championships.
“I need competition to hype me up and make me throw further.”
In addition to primary high school sponsors. Johnny Rocco’s and Mick and Angelo’s, BPSN’s coverage of the track and field season is made possible with the support of the Niagara Olympic Club (https://nocrunners.com)
