GLENDON – The weather wasn’t great when Mady Luciak competed at the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) provincial track and field championships at Foote Field in Edmonton on June 8, but she still managed to persevere and claim the gold medal in the junior women’s pole vault.
It wasn’t an easy journey.
Luciak tore her hamstring following the provincial competition last year, where she competed in the same category and won the silver medal.
Glendon School teacher and one of her coaches, Daryn Galatiuk, says there was a moment when they weren’t so sure if Luciak was going to be able to compete this year.
“Luckily, everything worked out,” he says.
The weather was perhaps the other big challenge the high school athlete faced. Even leading up to the tournament, she didn’t get to practice as much due to wet and rainy conditions.
With the gusting wind and rain, and an almost sub-zero temperature on the day of the competition, her hands and feet were nearly frozen.
“It’s pretty crappy that it was miserable outside,” she admits. “But I don’t think it really affected me too much mentally.”
She adds, “It was just about doing your own thing... doing what you do best... and just getting through it.”
Her persistence paid off in the end. She won and beat her personal best. Last year, her highest jump was 2.55 metres. This year, her highest was 2.75 metres.
“I’m very proud of myself that I was able to achieve that for sure,” she says. “Especially being from a small school and not being able to practice lots.”
Of course, she hopes to compete again next year.
Galatiuk says Luciak is only the fourth gold medalist for Glendon School at the provincial track and field level.
“So, it’s a big deal for us and it’s a big deal for [her].”
Luciak thanked all those who supported her, including her other coaches Josh Backer and Wyatt Doonanco.
