For the second year in a row, Thorold Elite track club athlete Daniel Swayze has been awarded the Rick Westwood Athlete of Excellence award, which honours some of the top 14 and younger track athletes in the province.
Swayze, who has gained recognition as one of the province’s top throwers, had a tremendous outdoor season in 2018. He was the provincial champion in javelin and discus, and his throws are the second furthest of all time among 14-year-olds in Ontario- dating back to the Minor Track Association’s inception in 1970.
In just over a year and a half of competing, Swayze has amassed 34 medals and four trophies. His collection of hardware completely covers one of his bedroom walls and has started to take over a second.
Last year, Swayze finished fourth at the Legion National Championships in Brandon, Manitoba, competing against athletes a year older. His throw of 46.50 m would have won OFSAA (the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations Championships) if Swayze was in grade 9 last year.
This year, Swayze has his sights set on making it to OFSAA in three events, winning an OFSAA medal and also earning a medal at Nationals. So far he is well on the way to achieving these goals.
For more about the Thorold Elite Track club please visit www.thoroldelitetc.ca.
