Track and field

Middleton teen headed to legion track and field event

A 15-year-old from Middleton will soon be heading to Manitoba to represent Nova Scotia ion the national track and field scene.

Michael Lander-pinard will compete in the 100 metre dash and javelin events at the Royal Canadian Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships Aug. 10-12, in Brandon, Manitoba.

“I’m very excited to have this opportunity to compete in a national track event,” says Landerpinard. “I hope to achieve a personal best in one of my events and have fun.”

At the 2018 Legion Team Trials and Open Meet, held June 23-24 at Beazley Field, Dartmouth, Lander-pinard ran a time of 11.94 and threw a distance of 41.85 m in the men’s 14-15 100m dash and javelin events respectively to qualify him for the provincial legion team.

At the 2018 Athletics NS Outdoor Track and Field Provincial Championships, held July 14-15 in Stellarton, Lander-pinard again showcased his skills when he obtained first place in his two events with final scores of 12.16 and 44.06m, respectively.

To prepare himself for national’s, Lander-pinard says he trains with Annapolis County Athletics, practices javelin three times a week with his dad and attends various throwing and running events throughout Nova Scotia.

At a recent throw meet with Launchers Athletics, held July 23 in Port Williams, Lander-pinard threw 45.87m as his best of four attempts.

With a personal best of 46.30m, which he obtained at a Launchers Athletics meet in late June, Lander-pinard says he’s hoping to throw 47m at the national championships.

“I’ve been practicing and trying to improve my javelin throw, because I want to throw like around a 47,” said Lander-pinard. “So now I’ve just been practicing things that a lot of higher-up people have told me to do and try to learn from those around me.”

Lander-pinard, who will be going into Grade 10 in September, first began competing in track and field events through school in Grade 8, and attributes gaining the opportunity to compete at National’s to having started doing track in school.

“If it wasn’t for school sport, I would not have started running or throwing the javelin,” says Lander-pinard.

“I tried a number of events and these are the ones I enjoyed the most: 100m because I enjoy the shorter run - I don’t like running long distances - and javelin because it is a combination of running and throwing. I enjoy the challenge of trying to throw it farther each time.”

Lander-pinard hopes that track and field is something he can eventually carry on into university and says that taking part in track and field has taught him both discipline and commitment, and that he would recommend anyone at any age to take part.

“There is an event for everyone and all different skill sets are used,” says Lander-pinard.

SUBMITTED At a recent throw meet with Launchers Athletics, held July 23 in Port Williams, Michael Lander-pinard threw 45.87m as his best of four attempts.

SUBMITTED Michael Lander-pinard will compete for Nova Scotia in the 100-metre dash and javelin events at the national legion event.

SUBMITTED Up and away! Michael Lander-pinard of Middleton is hoping to throw a personal best when he competes on the national stage in Manitoba Aug. 10-12.