Posted: August 6, 2005

Athletics: Vancouver's Trey Henderson breaks national youth record in men's hammer throw at Legion National Track and Field Championships

EDMONTON- Trey Henderson's dream is to one day play professional football but he showed Saturday plenty in the hammer throw as he broke the Canadian youth record in the event at the Legion National Track and Field Championships.

Henderson, 15, uncorked a 65.53 metre toss on his fifth of sixth throws to win the gold medal. He beat the previous youth mark of 63.40 metres set by Jim Steacy of Lethbridge, Alta., in 2001. Steacy won the national senior title a couple of weeks ago in Winnipeg.

"That was a lot better than I was expecting but my throws have been improving all summer long," said Henderson, who improved his personal best by three metres. "The key was just being relaxed and focusing on the little things to get there and putting all that I learned together to get that big throw."

Henderson only started the hammer throw two years ago.

"You have to be really dedicated to the hammer throw to have success, it takes a lot of practice," said Henderson. "Football is still my main priority but hammer is a sport that's very fulfilling for me and I don't want to give it up anytime soon."

In women's javelin Elizabeth Gleadle of Vancouver broke a 19-year-old meet record to win the gold with a 45.89 metre throw. Gleadle broke the Canadian youth record last month throwing 50.53 at the world youth championships in Morocco placing fifth for Canada's best result of the competition.

Deanna Sullivan of St. Albert, Alta., another world youth team member, won a gold medal in the women's 400 metres clocking 56.20 seconds.

"I was little bit disappointed because the conditions here were great and I thought a Canadian youth record was within my reach," she said. "I trained primarily for the world youths this year and I also have competed a lot overall this year, s I probably need to pick and choose my meets better."

The Legion event is regarded as the national youth championships in track and field and is an event where future track and field stars make their first big impact nationally. More than 330 athletes are competing here.

Many Canadian track and field stars who have participated in the Legion program have gone on to world and Olympic glory. Approximately 80% of Canada's national track and field team have participated in the Legion program including 2004 Olympic team members Émile Mondor and Kevin Sullivan.

Past Olympic and world championship medallists who have gone through the program include middle distance runners Angela Chalmers and Charmaine Crooks, decathlete Michael Smith and sprinters Atlee Mahorn, Glenroy Gilbert and Robert Esmie.

The Legion's involvement dates back to the 1950's and today its annual commitment of $1 million helps to sponsor thousands of young male and female athletes across the country.

Full results are available at: www.athleticsalberta.com.