Grover gunning for OFSAA gold
Caleb Grover is looking for big things in 2023 after a year of near misses.
Last year, the Grade 12 student at Port Colborne Secondary School placed fourth in the discus and seventh in shot put at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championships, and fourth in the discus and third in the shot put at the national under-18 championships.
“It was pretty motivating. That is what I was always thinking about and it was in the back of my mind when I was training,” the 18-year-old Port Colborne resident said.
His first goal is straight ahead.
“I want to win OFSAA. That is the main goal. I know there is some good competition out there but I feel that will help me elevate my game,” the Thorold Elite Track Club member said. “This summer, hopefully as a younger-age athlete in the under-20 division I will be able to get a medal at nationals in either event.”
Grover took the next step to his first goal Thursday at the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association track and field meet at Welland Centennial. He won senior boys shot put with a throw of 14.3 metres and took gold in the discus with a toss of 48.18 metres, which was nearly 10 metres farther than the second-place finisher.
His wins qualified him for next week’s OFSAA South Regionals in Brampton, where he is the defending champion in discus and shot put.
Since last year’s SOSSA championships, he had added about six metres to his personal best in the discus.
“It’s through hard work and a lot of lifting. This winter I really started weight lifting hard with my partner Owen (Robins). We keep each other motivated,” Grover said.
Robins and Grover are helping each other get to the next level.
“He just got into it last year and I helped to coach and mentor him. Now we are pushing each other all the time in the weight room and in the circle. He is at the point now where we can both tell each other what we see and it’s great.”
Grover is a much more focused thrower than in the past.
“I have been a lot more consistent with my training and focusing in on my sport. I relaxed on other sports like basketball. I still played this year but I kind of focused more on throwing practice rather than basketball practice. I also trained throughout the winter which usually I would just save summer for track.”
He is hoping that dedication will result in a track and field scholarship.
“I have talked to a few schools and I have had a couple of offers but I am thinking of staying back for another year just to see if anything else comes up and to work on my craft a little bit more. It can never hurt to get better.”
