Double gold for Coco
Coco van Nynatten doubled her pleasure and doubled her fun at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations track and field meet last week in Ottawa.
The 16-year-old, Grade 10 student at West Niagara Secondary School took home gold in the junior girls shot put (12.85 m) and discus (39.41 m).
The Thorold Elite Track Club member admitted the accomplishment took some time to sink in.
“It feels really good because in the moment it didn’t really feel like a lot because it was close to my personal best. It was just like a regular day but after that I was really shocked at how well I did,” she said.
Her throw in the discus shattered her old PB of 37 metres.
“I’ve been working really hard since the last meet,” she said. “For the week before OFSAA, I worked really hard on discus so I could get further. I put more effort into it.
“It helped a lot. I saw the kids who didn’t have as much training as me and it helped me because I got the technique down instead of just trying to throw it.”
Her heave of 12.85 metres in the shot put was just off her personal best throw of 13.14 metres.
Van Nynatten was a high jumper in elementary school before joining Thorold Elite, who quickly turned her into a thrower.
“I like to try new things and I got into it and I really liked it and ended up being pretty good at it so I continued,” she said.
Thorold Elite coach From Johnny Ahlstedt praised van Nynatten for her work ethic.
“She is the most dedicated, hard working individual I’ve ever had the privilege to coach,” Ahlstedt said.
Ahlstedt also said van Nynatten’s dedication is contagious.
“Coco has been an amazing role model not just to our own throwers and athletes but to her competitors who also look up to her. She’s an inspiration to other girls and is always humble, supportive, and positive.”
Van Nynatten was second in shot put and first in discus last year and would love nothing more than to continue to stockpile medals.
“I definitely want to go to OFSAA again next year and finish high school and then see what happens,” she said.
Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 5,100 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.
