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linz2006.com/PLOHE |
Scott
Stevens, a 36 year old staff kinesiologist at
Hotel Dieu Shaver Hospital, St. Catharines,
represented Canada at the second annual World
Masters Indoor track and field championships in
Linz, Austria. He won a silver medal in the 3000
meter event with a time of 8:43.28. He ran the
half marathon, a 8 km course that took the
runners on a course alongside the Danube River
on Sunday and finished in 7th place with a time
of 1:12:24.62.
Stevens headed to Austria with the hopes of
placing in the top half of both of his
races...........he surpassed his dreams!
He was a competitive middle and long distance
runner during his high school days at St. Clair
Secondary school.
He was also a member of the Sarnia Track Club and was coached by Vito Del
Ben, another Sarnia runner. Scott earned a track
scholarship to Northeast Louisana University,
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where he
specialized in steeplechase, cross country and 5000 metre
events. He raced competitively while pursuing his
undergraduate degree in health and human performance.
After obtaining his Masters degree in Kinesiology from the
University of Western Ontario, he accepted a position at
Hotel Dieu Shaver Rehab as an exercise therapist.
He had given up the sport of running for over a
decade............and packed on the pounds. A couple of
years ago, he decided to make some lifestyle changes and
resumed running. After being encouraged to enter a race by
friends, the competitive juices started to flow again. Scott
never envisioned that his times would be close to the same
ones that he had in university. "It was more of a lifestyle
change that I wanted to make."
The 15 members of the Canadian team in Austria paid their
own expenses. Scott's co workers at Hotel Dieu Shaver Rehab
lent their support and held a bake sale and a barbeque and
the St. Catharines Road Runners and Walkers also helped with
financial assistance.
"The trip has been amazing. Met lots of wonderful folks from
all over the world.....Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Hungary,
Germany, Austria, New Zealand...... Thanks for all the kind
emails and support. It's been such a neat experience with
family and friends following back home." He arrives back in
Canada on Monday evening.
Scott's proud parents are local residents.....Sue Smith of
Bright's Grove and Paul Stevens of Corunna.
Congratulations Scott!
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