Posted: November 21, 2007

Athletics: Stefanie Reid named Paralympics Ontario top female athlete of the year

OTTAWA - Stefanie Reid of Thornhill, ON was named Paralympics Ontario top female athlete of the year at the Ontario Para Sports Awards. The award presentation took place in Toronto on November 17. During the 2007 season Stefanie broke the Canadian long jump record in the F44 class (single, below knee amputation), a record which has stood since 1988. She would later better the mark on two occasions and closed out the season with a new Personal Best and Canadian Record of 4.78 metres. “2007 was nothing less than a breakthrough year for Stefanie and is a result of five years of planning and progress,” explains Stefanie’s coach David Greig. “Her success came as a direct reflection of her commitment to training and increased access to the high performance environment that exists in Windsor. Training alongside the Windsor Lancers and working with jumps coach Brett Lumley has been a huge asset. Stefanie is very motivated for the Beijing Paralympic Games and is confident in what she has to do to perform well.” Stefanie is the 2007 Canadian Champion in the F44 100 metres, 200 metres and long jump. She won a silver medal in the long jump and a bronze in the 200 metres at the 2007 Parapanamerican Games, a bronze medal in long jump at the Paralympic World Cup, and both a silver medal in the long jump and a bronze medal in the 100 metres at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Championships. "This has been a very memorable season for me with many breakthrough performances,” says Stefanie. “I have been working very hard for the past three seasons, and it is so exciting and encouraging when you can tangibly see that work paying off. It feels good to have your efforts acknowledged and recognized by awards such as these. And it is important to take time to enjoy and celebrate them. But now I am ready to get back to work. This was a good season, but I want greatness. I want a gold medal in Beijing." Source: Athletics Canada Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest