North Bay Nugget (ON) Sports, Thursday, November 23, 2006, p. C1 Walters twins finish 1-2 at provincial championships Matt Walters, followed closely by his twin brother Nick, captured the juvenile division at the Ontario Track and Field Association's provincial cross-country championships in Brockville on the weekend. Representing the North Bay Legion Branch 23 Track and Field Club, Matt Walters broke the 20-minute barrier (19:59) on the six-kilometre course, while Nick was six seconds behind. While the 17-year-old twins have enjoyed success throughout the North, it was the first time they captured gold and silver at a provincial meet. "The juvenile division is arguably the toughest age group to win at the provincial championships due to the number and talent of the field," said Michel Chartrand, co-ordinator and coach of the legion cross-country program. Dedicated to Gabor The Walters' went out with the lead group and quickly took command of the race by breaking away, with one other runner able to withstand the pace they were setting despite the slow and wet conditions. Following the race, the Walters dedicated the victory to club head coach Art Gabor. "Matt and I have been with the legion program since our public school days and we realized this could be our last cross country meet for the legion, so we wanted to dedicate this race to Mr. Gabor," Nick Walters said. "When the boys told me after the race they had dedicated the race to me, it was very special," said an emotional Gabor. "It meant a lot. I was speechless. "Our cross-country program has continued to grow over the past three or four years, which is a reflection of the work of Michel Chartrand, the other coaches, parents and volunteers. "Most of all it's a credit to the young athletes who have truly been great ambassadors for the club and city through their performances on and off the race course and their commitment to the program. "It's been a good and successful year. It keeps me feeling young." In team competition, the juvenile boys were edged out of the bronze medal by the Windsor Legion Club by five points. Other juveniles included Please see BOULAY/C2 Alex Espinosa, (21:28, 38th), Joshua Karn (22:19, 61st), Mike McDougall (23:14, 86th) and Jordan Scott (24:27, 94th). In the midget boys' four-kilometre race, Benoit Boulay finished 13th in 14:04, despite falling on a downhill, which shook him up a bit. "Benoit's a very strong runner and a factor in any race that he is in," said Chartrand. "Today he learned a lesson about facing adversity and he responded very well." Other legion midget runners were Philippe Dufresne (16:31), Josh Callaghan (16:51), Dan Walters (17:38), Martin Roy (17:57) and Ben Robitalle (18:25). The club's bantam boys team placed fourth in the three-km race . Leading the way was Charlie Chirico (11:52, 22nd), Scott McLellan (12:31, 32nd), Kiefer Uuksulainen (12:34, 33rd), Cooper Chirico (12:38, 36th) and Marc Bodroghy (16:29, 49th). The bantam girls team, which finished seventh in the two-kilometre race, included Brooklyn Jones, Caitlyn Jones, Michelle Huot, Alora Murton-Shorey and Natalie Dupuis. in the juvenile girls' four-km race, Valerie Love finished 78th in 17:52 (78th), followed by teammates Linda Spilchen (18:29), Nel Vandermeer (18:40), Melanie Boulay (19:05), Heather Cobbledick (19:06) and Kylee Letourneau (21:10). In the junior girls' five-km event, Hanah Falk placed 21st in 22:21. In the open women's six-km race, Donna Mae Robins placed seventh in 23:46. In the open men's 10-km race, Adam Hopkins finished in 39:47 for 31st place, while Andrew Hopkins was 34th in 47:52. Alex Espinosa, (21:28, 38th), Joshua Karn (22:19, 61st), Mike McDougall (23:14, 86th) and Jordan Scott (24:27, 94th). In the midget boys' four-kilometre race, Benoit Boulay finished 13th in 14:04, despite falling on a downhill, which shook him up a bit. "Benoit's a very strong runner and a factor in any race that he is in," said Chartrand. "Today he learned a lesson about facing adversity and he responded very well." Other midget runners were Philippe Dufresne (16:31), Josh Callaghan (16:51), Dan Walters (17:38), Martin Roy (17:57) and Ben Robitalle (18:25). The club's bantam boys team placed fourth in the three-km race. Leading the way was Charlie Chirico (11:52, 22nd), Scott McLellan (12:31, 32nd), Kiefer Uuksulainen (12:34, 33rd), Cooper Chirico (12:38, 36th) and Marc Bodroghy (16:29, 49th). The bantam girls team, which finished seventh in the two-kilometre race, included Brooklyn Jones, Caitlyn Jones, Michelle Huot, Alora Murton-Shorey and Natalie Dupuis. In the juvenile girls' four-km race, Valerie Love finished 78th in 17:52, followed by teammates Linda Spilchen (18:29), Nel Vandermeer (18:40), Melanie Boulay (19:05), Heather Cobbledick (19:06) and Kylee Letourneau (21:10). In the junior girls' five-km event, Hanah Falk placed 21st in 22:21. In the open women's six-km race, Donna Mae Robins placed seventh in 23:46. In the open men's 10-km race, Adam Hopkins finished in 39:47 for 31st place, while Andrew Hopkins was 34th in 47:52. © 2006 North Bay Nugget (ON). All rights reserved. Document number: news·20061123·XK·0062