Posted: August 8, 2005

Athletics: Quebec's Jonathan Charest earns four gold and a silver at Legion National Track and Field Championships

EDMONTON- Jonathan Charest of Ste-Tite, Que., earned four gold medals this weekend at the Legion National Track and Field Championships but he was still steamed about the silver medal performance in the 200-metre sprint on Sunday.

"It's the first time I've lost the 200 race at this meet in three years," said Charest, 17, a member of Canada's world youth team. "I'm still pleased overall with my showing but my goal was to win five gold medals again."

Two years ago, Charest earned five victories in the 15 and under category and last year he took four gold in the 17 and under group. This year in the 17 and under category again, he won the 100 in 10.79 seconds, the 400 in 48.65 as well as the 4X100 and 4X400 relays. This is his last appearance at the Legion meet, which is regarded as the Canadian youth championships. Charest turns junior next season.

I had several events this weekend and sometimes I didn't have too much time to rest up in between," said Charest. "But I did well the last two years so my coach and I decided we should do the same again this year. The Legion meet has been a great springboard to my national and international career."

In the 200 it was Mitchell O'Gorman of Edmonton who denied Charest his fifth gold clocking 22.36 to nudge Charest at the finish. Charest's time was 22.39.

Stephanie Romanson of Winnipeg also enjoyed a big weekend with personal best performances for gold medals in the 400 and 800 metre runs. Romanson won the 400 in 57.01 and the 800 in 2:13.70.

"I was really motivated for this meet and the crowd helped a lot too," said Romanson, 15. "In the 400 I was hoping to get into the 56 second range but I'm close now. In the 800, I ran a smart race by tucking myself in early on in the pack and making my move with about 200 metres to go."

Kaitlin Andrews of Georgetown, Ont., set national youth records in the women's shot put at 13.19 metres breaking the 13.02 metres she set last year as well as in the women's discus with a 42.81 metre toss.

Meet records were also set by Gabrialla Duclos-Lanier of Ste-Foy, Que., with a 3.50 metre leap in the women's pole vault and Ryan Chester of Courtenay, B.C., in the men's 300 hurdles at 39.30

More than 330 athletes competed here this weekend

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