By Larry Moko
Levi Snider of the Bishop Ryan Celtics wasn’t overly excited about his record-breaking discus throw at the 2024 Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference track and field championships.
His toss at Ray Lewis Centre Friday travelled 45.79 metres, setting a new GHAC mark in the junior boys’ age group. But he put that accomplishment into perspective.
“It’s a personal best for me this year and I’m happy about it,” Snider said. “But, actually, at OFSAA last year I threw 47.
“I’m working hard and have a long way to go.”
Snider earned a silver medal at those Ontario high school finals last June in Ottawa where he was leading after four rounds of the competition with a throw of 47.43m.
Finishing ninth at OFSAA 2023 in the same event was Snider’s teammate, Riley Coffell, who came second at GHAC this year with a best distance of 38.39m.
“Again Levi and Riley are a 1-2 tandem,” Bishop Ryan coach Mike Hall said. “The team is dedicated and supports each other.”
Jill Van Damme, who has been added as a throwing coach at BR, is impressed by Snider and Coffell.
“They push each other,” Van Damme said. “There is a lot of potential in both.”
Van Damme was an accomplished thrower for the University of Windsor after establishing discus and shot put records as a high school athlete at Bluevale Collegiate in Waterloo.
“Discus and shot are very technical throws,” she said.
Snider was also 15th in shot put last year at OFSAA. He qualified again for the upcoming South Regionals with a second-place finish this year (12.91m).
Another BR thrower who excelled was Isabella Zenone. She came first in junior girls’ discus with a best toss of 25.09. Also advancing from Bishop Ryan in the same event were Amanda Milembamane and Nicole Chalmoukos who came fourth fifth respectively.
In other GHAC individual events, Victoria Zolaturiuk of Bishop Tonnos finished first in the junior girls’ 100 and 200m (12.54 seconds and 25.67). Ben Casey of St. Jean de Brébeuf also won twice – in junior boys’ 400 (54.13) and 800 (2:04.20).
Tonnos’ Chloe Seiler doubled up with wins in the open girls’ 2000m steeplechase (7:36.90) and the senior 800 (2:25.59).
Samantha Lipinski of Bishop Ryan took both the senior girls’ long jump (4.93) and the triple jump (10.79).
Photos by Bob Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
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