Born in 2002, now standing at roughly six foot tall, nobody would have guessed that in eighteen years I would be traveling from Tecumseh, Ontario to Miami, Florida to attend university.
Getting to that point saw many ups and downs with memories and life lessons that would be pivotal to my future development. I have two wonderful parents who support everything I do motivationally, emotionally, and financially. My two younger brothers have given unimaginable support; having given up many summers of house league sports to attend my track meets.
Growing up, I couldn’t keep still. I played everything from soccer, basketball, badminton, to even making a cameo on my grade three skipping team. I found sports as a way to express myself but didn’t take to any particular one until grade six. Playing travel soccer gave me a competitive attitude. There is something about working with a team to achieve one goal (winning). I had been running track already but didn’t notice any significant ability until my grade six season. That is when my doors opened and I would go on to win the district championship every year until grade eight.
High school was a test of will power and strength. Managing school and track comes with its own challenges; adding injury and balancing some sort of social life makes for an emotional roller coaster. I was struck with a stress fracture in grade nine right before track season. Words cannot describe how devastated I was. I was lucky enough to recover physically but that’s when the doubt started. My grade 10 season saw me mentally and emotionally shaken in regards to my confidence; late nights crying about how I felt I wasn’t good or strong enough. I went as far as trying to quit. There was a part of me that wasn’t satisfied with my decision to walk away from track and to this day I am grateful that I listened. I developed a new fire and determination in grade 11 that I didn’t have before. I was eager and excited to show everyone who I truly was as an athlete.
My biggest relief was winning the OFSAA 400m gold medal. The years of working and training felt worth it, and I proved to myself that I was good enough to follow my passions. Following OFSAA, I would go on to represent my country at the NACAC U18 championships where I earned a silver medal in the 400m.
Throughout my process I have felt and experienced everything from my proudest moments to the moments that I wouldn’t mind never resurfacing. I would love to thank my grade school Principal Mr. Wilcox for showing me that support is all around me; my grade school teacher Mrs. McGreggor for introducing my love for being competitive with track, and Mr. / Mrs. Kersey at Mr. Kersey’s Karate School for instilling life lessons and the poise needed to carry myself as a young adult. My track coach Kurt Downes and my parents Jason and Tracey Bechard have supported my love for athletics through thick and thin. Lastly, to Mira, Cassidy, Christine and Daniel; thank you.
Lastly, I have discovered that determination, will power and the right support group can transform your life in a matter of months.