Page 5 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 33

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Highland Games veteran continues to compete at home

By Todd Anderson When I’m the next one up to throw,
they are right behind you cheering
algary resident Kristy Kennedy you on, encouraging you, and giving
Creturned to Glengarry in July to you little hints to improve your next
visit family and friends. It was also throw. I remember one year, in my

a good time for some fun and games. second or third year of competing in
Make that the Glengarry Highland the sheaf toss I recorded 15 feet and I
Games. was thinking, wow, I did really well.
The Glengarry native plans to No way will I be able to get 17 feet.
compete in her 10th Glengarry Sure enough I went up to the bar,
Highland Games Women’s Heavy took my time breathing, relaxing,
Events competition in Maxville on and performed my normal throw. I
July 31. Speaking before the event, let her rip. Sure enough it went over.

Kennedy reflected on her years in the I couldn’t believe it. I was so happy.
sport. It ended up being my favorite event at

“Before my first competition I was the Highland Games.”
absolutely nervous. I was walking into Kennedy calls the caber toss her
something with women who have been second favourite event. She likes the
training for many years and had a lot challenge of being the smallest person
more muscle on them. In all the group on the infi eld, in front of all those

photos it might be hard to find the little spectators, trying to fl ip a 12-foot pole.
one standing amongst all the women, “It’s the adrenaline, inching your way
that is me. Now, before competitions, down the caber into a squat position,
I still get nervous. I always told myself, and no one is holding the caber for Kristy Kennedy gets set to launch a stone during a previous Glengarry
this is all for fun. I know I’m not going you. You are on your own. It’s bigger Highland Games competition. Photo submitted: Kristy Kennedy
to win, but I have the support of my at the top then goes narrower on the
family members and friends that come way down. My hands are at the bottom work out with her to help prepare award for the Senior Women’s League.
out to cheer me on, especially my Dad. of the caber and it’s leaning on my her. So we started training. One day I After high school she played college
He has not missed a Games yet.” shoulder. You have to pick up the get a call from (event organizer) Rod soccer for the Fleming Knights for a
A former Glengarry District High caber (approximately 45 pounds) and McLeod asking if I wanted to compete couple of seasons and was named Top
School student, Kennedy has been get your hands under the bottom of the since someone dropped out and they Goalie, as well as an all-star. Kennedy
living in Calgary for the past seven pole really fast, and I mean fast. Then needed to fi ll that spot. That’s when continues to play soccer in Calgary. In
years. For the past five years she has you have to either walk or jog with the my journey started. Going forward high school, Kennedy also participated

been an employee of WestJet. With pole and at the right time you have to from there, (former competitor) Lee in volleyball and girl’s hockey.
perks from work, she has averaged try and fl ip it at a complete 12 o’clock MacKinnon helped us both out when Now with 10 years under her belt
four or five trips home per year. All of position. I have yet to get that, but I’m he could, but my biggest supporter in the heavy events competitions,

her family still lives in various corners hoping for it one day.” that has helped me out in the front Kennedy has attempted to encourage
of Glengarry so it’s nice to return Other events listed in the women’s yard of our home, is my dad Gerard other athletes to give it a shot. “They
home, especially during highland division include: stone throw (12 Kennedy. He was never too far from always say, that looks hard, or I can’t
games weekend. pounds), weight throw for distance (28 me encouraging me and pushing me to do that. I always tell them, just try, you
If you have ever watched The pounds), weight throw for distance (14 do better.” never know if you don’t try. I’m the
Glengarry Highland Games heavy pounds), hammer throw (16 pounds), As a student at GDHS, Kennedy was smallest one out there and I still go out
events, in any of the levels of and weight throw for height (28 a big part of several championship- and I have fun. It’s a little overwhelming
competition whether it is professional, pounds). winning soccer teams. She thrived at fi rst but I think I give hope to some
master’s, amateur or women’s, you While Kennedy has been thankful for in goal demonstrating poise and women and maybe children watching
quickly notice how supportive athletes the help from her opponents on event confi dence while playing in many the events that anyone can do it. I don’t
are towards each other. It is one aspect day, she notes others have stepped up high-tension and competitive contests; go out there feeling intimidated by the
that keeps Kennedy coming back, over the years to help guide her in the Kennedy back-stopped two silver- other competitors. I know they train
even now that she lives clear across right direction. “When I fi rst started I medal-winning teams from the Ontario and I actually really encourage them
the country. was actually never even thinking of Federation of Secondary School and cheer them on because I know they

“It’s not all about winning,” Kennedy competing at the highland games,” Athletics Association championships. are competing for that trophy. Good
says. “It’s going out there to see your says Kennedy. “It wasn’t until one day She started playing the game at age on them. For me, I just go out there
family of competitors you have seen I was working at the gym in Alexandria four and moved through the ranks and show that a 5’5” and 150-pound
every year. It’s like a reunion for me and my cousin Lisa MacDonald, who of the Glengarry Soccer League, woman can actually do it and not be
when I come home from Calgary. I compete against, asked if I would eventually capturing the Top Goalie afraid.”

“People Pulling Together for you”

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