|
lingzi
|
Dec 6 2012, 07:30 AM
Post #1
|
|
- Posts:
- 1,105
- Group:
- Members
- Member
- #145
- Joined:
- Aug 6, 2012
|
For some of Canadas top athletes, the Canadian Track and Field Trials are the final step towards qualifying for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Sebastian Janikowski Womens Jersey . Each week, CTVOlympics.ca looks at some of the names to keep an eye on as we count down to the Trials in Calgary from June 27-30. DISCIPLINE: Womens Pole Vault NUMBER OF OLYMPIC BERTHS AVAILABLE: Three. *The IAAF allows a maximum of three athletes per country per event if the three athletes have each reached an A standard score. TOP CONTENDERS: Kelsie Hendry – Saskatoon, SK. Melanie Blouin – Quebec, QC WHAT THEY NEED: Kelsie Hendry is in position for a return trip to the Olympic Games, after hitting the Olympic A standard twice this season. Now she needs just a top-three finish at Trials to go to London. Melanie Blouin, on the other hand, still has some work to do. She has completed two B standard vaults but, because Hendry has surpassed the A standard, she will also need to complete an A standard requirement in addition to finishing in the top three to book her ticket to the Olympic Games. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: Hendry is looking to make her second Olympic Games; she finished 18th in qualifying at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Hendrys recent vault of 4.60m during the NAU Tune-up in Flagstaff, AZ, (bettering her previous mark of 4.55m) makes her the Canadian record holder in the pole vault. Hendry had to adjust her mindset after a difficult 2010-11 season, during which she lost much of her funding as her performance dropped to a competition-best mark of 4.30m. With help from a sports psychologist, and training with fellow competitors Tori Pena of Ireland and American champion Kylie Houston, Hendry was able to restore her confidence as the qualification season got underway this year. “I feel confident because I have done all the work and I am prepared. This year has been my best and most consistent season so far and I am looking to move to some higher heights in this next phase,” said Hendry, who has her sights set at a new personal best and a national title at Trials. “My overall goal for this year is to make the Olympic final and the trials will be a stepping stone to achieving that goal.” Blouin won the pole vault event at the recent Donovan Bailey Invitational in Edmonton, but her winning vault of 4.10m is still .40m of achieving an A standard. She has twice hit the B standard of 4.40m and has said that while the Olympic Games are her goal, improvement is ultimately what she is looking for. “My goal is to continue to grow, because I have so much [room for improvement],” she said in an interview with Quebec Hebdo. “If this brings me to 4.50m, so much the better. My goal is to qualify and I will do everything to get there.” Blouin can achieve her A standard right up to her final vault attempt at Trials in Calgary. MEDAL HOPES IN LONDON 2012: This discipline is dominated by Russian Elena Isinbaeva, who holds the world record vault of 5.06m; she also owns the top 11 all-time marks. The top mark in the world this year is by Brazilian Fabiana Murer, at 4.77m. Hendry would need to improve on her Canadian record by at least a tenth of a metre to move into a realistic shot at a medal in London. Check back on Tuesday for a look at the top competitors in the mens 100m leading up to Trials. The Canadian Track and Field Trials take place June 27-30 in Calgary. Sebastian Janikowski Authentic Jersey . Louis Cardinals placed have outfielder Allen Craig on the 15-day disabled list on Friday because of a left hamstring strain, along with reliever Kyle McClellan due to an elbow strain. Darren McFadden Youth Jersey . The star Scottish midfielder will suit up for his first game with the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday as they visit the Colorado Rapids. http://www.nflraidersfansshop.com/kenny-stabler-womens-jersey/ .12 billion. The 900,000 visitors also spent an average of $1,256. That represents an increase from 2010, when 750,000 foreign fans watched a game and spent $1,268. The most popular teams to visit were Manchester United and Liverpool. Carson Palmer Womens Jersey . -- The Minnesota Vikings have a better idea about how to finish preparing Adrian Peterson and his surgically repaired left knee for the season. Darrius Heyward-Bey Black Jersey . Gaustad is coming off of a four-year, $9.2 million contract and will earn an average of $3.25 million per year on his new deal.Theres no doubt Eric Hassli is capable of the spectacular, but those moments were too few and far between during his time with Vancouver Whitecaps. As a result, the French forward was traded to Toronto late Friday in a move that works out well for both teams. Despite his status as a fan-favourite, Hasslis departure from the Whitecaps should come as no surprise. The fact is, he just wasnt going to figure in Martin Rennies plans regularly enough to keep him around on such a high salary. With the arrival of Scottish international Kenny Miller and the strong form of Darren Mattocks, Hasslis playing time would have been limited through until the end of the season. Hassli was given a great send-off by the Whitecaps fans during the 2-1 win over San Jose on Sunday night, a moment he thoroughly deserved. Whatever his future holds, he will forever be linked with the Caps thanks to the incredible memories he created for the club in its inaugural MLS season. He scored the clubs first goal in the league, produced an incredible finish to grab a point in Seattle last June and also received the Caps first red card in MLS. It was his flair and combative style that made him a favourite on the pitch, while his personable nature and connection with the fans played a big role in his rapid elevation to become a cult figure in Vancouver. The same is likely to happen when he arrives in Toronto later this week. However, consistency was a problem for Hassli during his time as a Whitecap. The 31-year-old finished with 10 goals in MLS in 2011, but only actually scored in six matches, recording a double on four occasions. This year, he managed to find the net twice in 18 appearances, although only half of those were starts. While there will be some disappointment on the West Coast surrounding Hasslis departure, it is difficult to argue that recent moves made by Martin Rennie havent made the club stronger. The first half performance against the LA Galaxy on Wednesdday was probably the best the Caps have played all season, and the dual threat of speedsters Mattocks and Dane Richards caused plenty of problems for league leaders San Jose at BC Place on Sunday night. Sebastian Janikowski Youth Jersey. After receiving criticism from some media and fans during his opening few games with the Caps, Barry Robson has clearly shown in the last two matches exactly what he can bring to the team. It will still take time for him to adjust to life in North America, but Robsons arrival has made the Whitecaps a much stronger team. Miller will do the same. For Toronto, the signing of Hassli is a gamble worth taking as the club aims to fill the void left by the injury to Danny Koevermans. It is also a signal of intent from the Reds that there is still much to achieve this year despite the worst start in league history effectively ruling them out of the playoff race, barring a miracle finish to the season. Depth in attack is something that has been an issue for Toronto this season, but new Head Coach Paul Mariner has been quick in addressing the situation. All three players he has added to the squad up-front have a point to prove after being discarded elsewhere in the league. Andrew Wiedeman arrived from FC Dallas as part of the Julian de Guzman trade and scored his first for the club against Colorado last Wednesday. After being released by the Rapids and turned down by New York, Quincy Amirikwa pulled on the TFC jersey for the first time in Saturdays friendly against Liverpool and scored in the 1-1 draw. Both players will look to take full advantage of the chance they are being given by Mariner. When hes over his ankle injury in a couple of weeks, Hassli will also be motivated by the challenge of proving he can make a regular impact in Major League Soccer. Theres no doubting his quality, but Hasslis success in Toronto will depend on how well Paul Mariner can channel the strikers ability in order to get maximum productivity. ' ' '
|