Janikowski aims to end career with OUA gold
Paul Janikowski is thrilled to have the chance to run again, even if it will be his last competitive sprint around the St. Denis Centre track.
After battling injuries the past three seasons, the fifth-year distance runner for the University of Windsor Lancers said he is feeling great heading into the OUA Track and Field Championships, which begin Friday.
“Since my second year, this is as healthy as I’ve ever been,” said Janikowski, who attended Villanova High School. “I was hoping (to get a chance to finish his career competing) and that’s why I kept running.
“That second time I got hurt, with another stress fracture, there was a point where I didn’t know if it was worth it to come back because it took so long to do it. Now, I think I’m at a better level. It’s more than a relief. It was really rough. There were a couple of years seeing everyone run so well and knowing I could be there with them, but my body just didn’t allow it.”
He has the third-best OUA time in the 3,000 metres and the fifthbest time in the 1,500 metres heading into the two-day meet, but admits his final meet at home won’t be easy.
“It’s going to be pretty emotional, to be honest,” Janikowski said. “Everything I’ve been through with (coach) Gary (Malloy) and (former head coach) Dennis (Fairall) and all the teammates I’ve seen graduate and do well post-collegiately, and teammates do well now.
“It’s going to be sad leaving this place. I’ll still be around, but not being able to wear that Lancer singlet again is going to make me sad.”
Janikowski is one of three fifthyear athletes competing for Windsor’s men’s team, which is ranked No. 1 in the CIS. Jordan Collison and Branden Wilhelm are also competing for the last time in Windsor as the Lancers host the OUA championships for the first time since 2013.
“Usually, for a lot of people, their last home meet is (Team Challenge), so to have (the OUAs) at home is nice and, hopefully, I can do something nice,” said Wilhelm, who will compete in high jump, long jump and possibly hurdles. “It’s always nice competing here”, he said.
“There’s been ups and downs with injuries. We’ve lost some championships by a few points, but on the other side there’s been a lot of good things. It’s been a great experience.”
All three would love to go out as champions, but head coach Brett Lumley, in much the same fashion as his mentor Fairall, is taking nothing for granted, even with the top ranking in the country.
“Of course, I crunched the numbers,” Lumley said. “Dennis was always the number cruncher, but we always crunched our own numbers because Dennis always lowballed.
“I’m not going to lowball, but I’m saying (the teams are) closer than what the rankings say. There’s a lot of parity on the OUA men’s side. It’s going to be interesting.
“It’s us and Guelph, like usual, but Western, York and U of T (Toronto) as well.
“All are within about 30 points. It’s going to be tight.”
A younger Windsor women’s team is strong in throws, pole vault and long jump, but not enough to challenge a powerful Toronto squad.
“We’ll aim for a podium finish,” Lumley said.
The Lancers will celebrate Fairall’s career with a special evening at Caesars Windsor from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday.
“It’s going to be fantastic,” Lumley said. “We have over 450 people (coming) and people are still coming in. It’s going to be a good night.”