Another DV grad on the track to success
Merriam-Webster defines prodigy as “a highly talented child or youth.”
And that is exactly how Michael Smith, Dundas Valley Secondary School (DVSS) track and cross country coach defines Alec Purnell, his prize student.
Purnell, 18, has won a plethora of prizes in cross country and track over his high school and Hamilton Olympic Club (HOC) career. His high school haul includes six OFSAA medals in the 400m, 800m and team cross country along with multiple medals as a club competitor at provincial championships. Add gold as a member of Team Ontario’s 4x400m relay at the 2017 Canadian National Championships to his priceless treasure trove.
But this young man is so much more than running through trails, on roads, on tracks. His commitment to DVSS, to community, and globally is simply extraordinary.
Purnell’s awards of honour include: the Colin Hood OFSAA School Sport Award; the Dr. Gene Sutton Award; the Principal Leadership Bursary; Dundas Rotary Club Scholarship; African Caribbean Cultural Potpourri Scholarship, the Ray Lewis Scholarship (John Holland Awards); academic and athletic scholarship to the University of Guelph; and most recently the Brian Maxwell Memorial Scholarship (valued at $5,000).
Purnell marks the fourth DVSS (formerly Highland SS) studentathlete to receive the prestigious Maxwell award (a record number of recipients for one high school in Ontario) since its 2007 inception.
The record setters include Nathaniel Hayward (2007) – Western; Carise Thompson (2010) – University of Guelph; Kaitlyn Pansegrau (2012) – McMaster, and Alec Purnell (2018) – University of Guelph.
“Being the fourth person from my school to win the (Maxwell) award shows how great the culture is at Dundas Valley. The staff and students at DV are driven to help others achieve their goals in all aspects of life.”
Smith, the proud coach of the “model student-athlete” speaks glowingly of Purnell’s parents.
“Alec’s commitment to community was instilled by an incredibly supportive family. In fact, all the parents of the previous (Maxwell) winners were engaged in community and instilled those values in their children.”
Dave Scott-Thomas, the winningest OUA/CIAU/CIS/U Sports coach in cross country and track, has indeed added an extraordinary student-athlete to the Guelph Gryphons stable.
Even Scott-Thomas is surprised at the rookie’s progress in the first six weeks of his collegiate career.
“Right now Alec is proving to be much better at cross country than we had projected, so he’s keeping the vets on their toes,” said the decorated coach.
“He’s going to take a real shot at getting on the line at the champs meets as a rookie (in cross country).”
Even Purnell is surprised with his early season success.
“I have surprised myself this fall with how well I have been doing with cross country. I am consistently the ninth man on the very deep team and the first rookie overall.”
Over the years Guelph’s ScottThomas has recruited a number of DVSS/Highland student athletes. And for good reason.
“Mike (Smith) does a fabulous job of teaching and mentoring,” said Scott- Thomas. “His athletes are always well trained, not just as athletes, but also in terms of life skills.”
And Purnell is clearly no exception.
“No doubt Alec’s going to be an impact guy on and off the playing field,” said Scott-Thomas. “We are really looking forward to seeing what mountains we can climb together.”
Purnell continues to challenge himself as an university freshman and looks to the summer of 2019 when he hopes to qualify for the Junior Pan Am Games (Lima Peru) as a member of Team Canada. Cecelia Carter Smith is a former four-time Canadian champion in track and Canadian indoor and world record holder in the 600 yards and a member of the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame and the McMaster Sports Hall of Fame