Josee leads the way (updated with link to results)

Josee Regala had a standout performance at the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Zone 3 track and field meet Tuesday at Centennial.

The 14-year-old, Grade 9 student at Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf captured first place in both the junior girls 80-metre hurdles and long jump.

“I do track outside of school and I know a lot of these people and it’s a small meet. I knew a lot of them would be doing track for the first time,” said Regala, who trains with Athletics Niagara.

Regala had never run outdoor hurdles after picking up the event indoors last winter.

“This was my first 80-metre hurdle race so we’ll call it a PB,” she smiled. “I started hurdles last winter which is 60 metres and then got injured in the summer.”

Regala, who resides in St. Catharines, admitted hurdles present a number of challenges.

“It’s scary. I tend to fall occasionally. At practice Thursday I tripped on the hurdles and fell,” she said.

Regala said the best way to get over a fall is to think positively.

“I focus on the good races I had. I know I can do it without falling and then I find the errors why I trip,” she said.

Regals also took home top spot in the long jump.

“The long jump was a little rough. There were two boards and it messed up my steps,” she said.

Regala has a big fan in Brébeuf track coach Jason Duthie.

“Lot of potential, great kid,” Duthie said. “We haven’t had our athletic banquet yet, but she should be our rising star in Grade 9. We’re going to have our eye on her throughout high school in multiple sports.

“She’s a natural athlete and also an incredible student.”

Regala is training for a pentathlon for the club season which is 100 hurdles, long jump, shot put, high jump and 800 metres. Next year she plans to try the heptathlon, which adds an extra two events, but isn’t quite sure why.

“That’s a good question. I ask myself that every practice,” she said. “It’s hard.”

The top four finishers in each event qualify for the SOSSA (Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association) meet next week at Centennial.

https://www.nrhsaa.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-Zone-3-Results.pdf

Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 6,000 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.