Romano looking for redemption
Katelyn Romano wants another crack at OFSAA.
The 16-year-old, Grade 10 student at Centennial had a disappointing showing at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations track championships last year and is determined to redeem herself this time around.
Romano finished 12th in the long jump last year thanks, at least in part, to a case of butterflies.
“I was very nervous. My first jump I faulted, my second jump I jumped off the wrong foot and my last jump was just not a good jump,” Romano said Tuesday at the Niagara Regional High School Athletics Zone 3 meet. “It was not my best competition day. I did not do very well.
“I do want to get (back) to OFSAA. That (last year) is where I get my motivation from.”
Romano isn’t sure a medal is a realistic goal at the provincial level just yet.
“All I really care about is getting better,” she said.
Romano, who is also an accomplished wrestler, participated Tuesday in the 80-metre hurdles, 300-metre hurdles, long jump, 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relay teams.
“It’s definitely for fun now, but once I see how I compare to the other zones, I’m going to narrow it down to what I’m best at,” she said.
Centennial track coach Val Brennand loves what Romano brings to the table.
“She’s a good athlete. She’s disciplined. She has fun and she’s good to work with,” Brennand said.
Romano began track at an early age.
“I started in a track club when I was in kindergarten and I grew up around track,” she said. “My whole family did track. I dropped out in Grade 6 to focus on wrestling and I’m still keeping up with it, but obviously it’s not my strongest (sport).”
Romano, who is a member of the Brock Wrestling Club, placed third at the nationals in New Brunswick last month and was fourth at OFSAA earlier this year.
She also comes from a wrestling background.
Her older sister Sam is the reigning Canadian junior wrestling champion and this year has already won another junior provincial title and placed third at the senior provincials. All three of her younger siblings, Matteo, Bianca and Arianna, also wrestle.
“I’m definitely considering getting back into a track club depending on how I do this year, but for now, the main focus is wrestling,” she said.
Both track and wrestling demand commitment.
“All the cardio and all my drive definitely comes from all the training for wrestling and vice versa. The track also helps with the wrestling.”
The top five individuals and top five relay teams advance to the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (SOSSA) meet Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23 at the Niagara Olympic Club.
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)
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