Steacy caps historic career

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:08:32 +0000

When ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorn thrower Jim Steacy took a year away from post-secondary competition, he didn't exactly spend his time vacationing. Instead, Steacy trained harder than ever – resulting in a Canadian national team appointment and an appearance at the Beijing Olympics.

Now, Steacy is back amongst his peers and once again, he's proven there is nobody in his class. A day after

Photo courtesy of Claus Anderson/Athletics Canada | Pronghorn thrower Jim Steacy, shown here at the Beijing Olympics, is closing out his university career in style.

winning his fourth award as Canadian Interuniversity Sport's (CIS) male field athlete of the year, Steacy cruised to another weight throw gold medal at the CIS track and field championships in Windsor, Ont. Friday.

Steacy shattered his own previous record of 23.61 metres, established in 2007, and eclipsed the 24-metre barrier in the process, reaching 24.08m on his sixth and final throw of the competition. His margin of victory over second-place finisher Dustin McCrank of Guelph was more than five metres as McCrank checked in with a throw of 18.29m.

His return to university track and field has been seamless as Steacy won honours as the Canada West male athlete of the year in field events and was the top male performer at the conference championships. In his fifth and final appearance at the conference meet, he won his fifth weight throw title – by more than six metres – breaking his own Canada West record, and claimed his third shot put gold medal.

Over the course of his Canada West career, he won nine medals, including eight gold. His win in Friday's CIS weight throw was his eighth CIS medal and seventh gold. On Saturday, Steacy then capped his CIS career with yet another gold medal, cruising to a win in the shot put event by throwing a season-best 16.99m. He easily beat second-place finisher Andrew Smith of Saskatchewan (16.17m) and bronze medalist Cole Bloxam of Windsor (15.38m).

"To go out with two more gold medals and a new CIS record in the weight throw is the perfect way to end my career as a Pronghorn athlete," says Steacy.

"My five years with the Pronghorns track and field team was full of great memories, especially in 2004 when the men's team captured the overall bronze medal. That was very special to me. I have met some incredible athletes over my CIS career and I am looking forward to continuing in my National Team endeavors."

With 18 total medals (nine each in Canada West and CIS competition) and a total of 16 gold medals, Steacy goes down as one of the most decorated track athletes in Pronghorns and CIS history.

"Jim is one of those rare individuals that combines dedication, passion and enthusiasm with talent to achieve his goals," says Lethbridge head coach Larry Steinke. "He has consistently been at the top of his event for five years in the CIS, and as a result of his dedication, also been dominant to a degree that is unsurpassed in CIS athletics history."

At the Beijing Olympics, Steacy became the first Canadian in over 84 years to qualify for the hammer throw finals, where he finished 10th.

UNews - Cole Bloxam

Steacy caps historic career

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