Meet helped runner get to next level
Chemong student Eric Unger ranked second in Ontario
Peterborough’s Erik Unger didn’t even try out for Chemong Public School’s cross-country team until more than three years ago, after realizing something while playing manhunt with his Grade 5 friends — he was pretty fast.
Fast forward to last year, when the 13-year-old multisport athlete was nominated for district athlete of the year and ranked second in Ontario.
That provincial success followed him being discovered in last year’s Cross Country Elementary Championship Super Meet. That’s where he met his coach with the Durham Region’s Gazelles Cross Country Club, which hosts the event.
Unger credits the club for much of his success, including in Kawartha Pine Ridge Elementary Athletics Association track and field events, where he has finished first in the 1,500-metre and 800-metre for three years and two years in a row, respectively.
The young runner plans to continue to compete in cross country and track and field once he starts going to Adam Scott Collegiate next year. He wants to continue to run on a bigger stage, but for now, is simply taking everything one step at a time.
Unger is looking forward to competing in national events once he turns 15 and agreed that some day, maybe he will get to compete internationally or even in the Summer Olympics.
He has other aspirations, too. A proud member of the Peterborough Minor Bantam A Petes, he has also been chosen for the southern Ontario cross country ski team for his individual performance as a member of the Kawartha Nordic Ski Team last winter.
Erik’s parents, Michael and Teija, couldn’t be more proud of their son’s athletic accomplishments, Michael said. He couldn’t say enough about the public school program that sparked his son’s now-skyrocketing running career.
“It all starts with the schools introducing kids to it,” he said, adding that without that, Erik’s talent may not have been fully realized.
Michael also enjoys how running has rewarded his son, who has put in the work.
“He loves to run and he is reaping the rewards,” he said, pointing out how too often in life, hard work isn’t recompensed.
Running has also been great for Erik’s self confidence as he grows up. “It’s an excellent life lesson. If you put in the work, you’ll get there.”
The third annual Super Meet, which attracted more than 200 runners from Grade 1 to 8 from across southern Ontario to Scarborough last year, takes place Saturday at Alex Robertson Park on Sandy Beach Road in Pickering.
Club coaches will be on the lookout this year for the next crop of athletes they think have what it takes to advance to provincial or even national levels, officials stated.
Erik is encouraging other local runners, including friends he knows are somewhat nervous to do so, to give the super meet a shot and spark their national athletic dreams.
“Don’t be afraid to take it another step and try to get a little further,” he said.
Asked what he loves move about running, Erik highlighted the freedom it brings from having to use any kind of equipment.
“If you have nothing, it doesn’t matter. You can just run,” he said.
NOTE: Registrations for the Cross Country Elementary Championship Super Meet are open at www.running4yourlife.ca/.