The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kopper Kweens Jeanelle LeClair and Michelle Tremblay-Boulianne are ready for whatever is thrown at them for the provincials in Roseisle Oct.13. The reason is because the cross-country runners ran through mud, tree roots, and over bridges during a race in Wekusko Lake near Snow Lake to qualify for the provincials. "If you can run that course, you can run anything," Jeanelle says. She placed second in the senior category with a time of 16 minutes 48 seconds and Michelle earned top for juniors with a time of 17 minutes 20 seconds. "It was fun," says Michelle. "I was just nervous before the competition and it was tiring because we had to run in mud, and at the end, our shoes were soaked." Jeanelle's goal is to get in better shape and strengthen her body. "If I finish in second and that's my best, I'm content with that," she explains. Jeanelle is involved with track and field and wants to get ready for the season by beginning her training in October even though year won't start until April. "I to win city provincials," she says. "That will take a lot of practice." Michelle shares the same goal, but also uses this to help herself in taekwondo. "I like running and I just want to get in shape and I love sports," she says. With the up coming provincials, the girls know where improvement is needed. "I start very fast and I was very tired at the middle," Michelle explained, as she admitted she needs to pace herself. Jeanelle felt she died out at the middle of the race in Wekusko Falls trying to save herself for the end. "I need more of a strategy during the race with who I want to stay near," she says. This is where coach Steve Lytwyn enters the picture. Michelle feels he makes her work hard and he encourages the girls. He mixes their training up to assure they're well prepared and both girls say he is strict, but supportive. "He pushes us just enough to where we want to be," says Michelle.
