Shattering records

Launchers Athletics hold final meet of season, provincial record beat by Aylesford man

David Bambrick, a Wolfville resident and member of Launchers Athletics for the past eight years, making one of four impressive throws during the shot put portion of the meet.

The Launchers Athletics in Port Williams held its final meet of the season and saw provincial records shattered.

The Launcher Twilight Throws Meet was attended on July 23 by 15 athletes, both male and female,

from Yarmouth to Cape Breton, competing in javelin, shot put, and discus. The meet was open to a wide age range, with competitors from age 10 to 63 showcasing their skills. Categories included masters, youth, midget, bantam, and pee wee.

Coach Steve Wohlmuth said it’s been a good season for the launchers and he was happy with the turnout for the final meet of the season.

Kevin O’keefe, a 55-year-old Aylesford resident and member of Launchers Athletics, threw 29.78 metres in javelin during the meet, beating both his personal best and the provincial record for his age category by more than a metre, which he set earlier this month in Stellarton at the 2018 Athletics NS Track and Field Championships. The previous provincial record was 28.35 m.

Fifteen-year-old Middleton resident Michael Lander-pinard, a javelin athlete at the meet, said he enjoys small events such as this one, as they allow him to improve himself for larger competitions.

“I like doing these small throws meets,” said Lander-pinard. “You can improve on things you’ve been trying to work on and do it in a small setting and have lots of opportunities to critique the way you’re throwing, learn from each throw, and prepare for bigger events.”

Lander-pinard recently qualified for the NS Legion track and field team and will be competing in javelin at the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships, which will be held Aug. 10 to 12, in Brandon, Manitoba.

Wolfville resident David Bambrick, 34, who finished sixth in men’s F38 shot put at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April, has been a member of Launchers Athletics for the past eight years and feels the program is a great way for athletes of all ages to learn from one another.

“It’s great because we can all learn from one another and teach each other,” said Bambrick. “Everybody gains from either having a teammate to look up to or being a teammate that others can look up to.”

CHRIS SAULNIER PHOTOS Lee Myrick of Beaver Bank, a masters (40) level athlete, making one of four impressive shot put throws.

Sarah Tucker of Halifax, a youth level athlete, making one of four discus throws at the Launchers Twilight Throws Meet.

Kevin O’keefe of Aylesford, a masters (55) level athlete, making the throw that beat his personal best as well as the provincial record, which he set earlier in the month for his age category.

Jane Warren, an independent masters (63) level competitor from Wolfville, taking one of four throws during the javelin portion of the Launchers Twilight Throws Meet at the Launch Pad in Port Williams July 23.

Michael Lander-pinard of Middleton, a midget level athlete, making one of four javelin throws. Lander-pinard will also be competing in javelin next month in Brandon, Manitoba on the NS Legion track and field team.