A Belgrave teen is gearing up for his first international track and field competition.
Ryan Jacklin, 16, has been tearing up the field in recent seasons, most recently at OFSAA, winning triple gold in javelin, discuss and shot put.
Now, the F.E. Madill student and Saugeen Track and Field Club member is leaving for Jamaica to represent Canada at an invitational meet.
"I had thrown the hammer over 60 m at a practice meet that really doesn't keep records, just to get a number behind my name," said Jacklin. "Every athelte who was ranked first in the nation was picked to be on Team Canada to represent the country in Jamaica. So that 60 m put me first in the country."
His track and field journey started in Gr. 8 when his mom bought him a discuss.
"I went to Sandy MacIntyre at F.E. Madill and was asking him when I was in Gr. 8, what a good throw would be," said Jacklin. "In the discuss, he said anything around 30 m would be pretty good. At the time, I told him I was already throwing 38 m. It sparked my interest a little bit."
Jacklin says one of his goals is to eventually earn a NCAA scholarship.
For the full interview with Ryan Jacklin, click on the audio link below.
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