15 year old beats shot put record set in 1969

Chelsea Whalen has a busy summer ahead of her as she trains for track and field junior nationals July 25 – 27 in Abbotsford, British Columbia and two other meets in August.

“I think it’s going to be a good experience, it’s definitely going to be a lot higher competition than I’m used to so that will be good,” said Whalen. “I’ve been working hard, I come out here (South Queens Junior High School soccer field) with dad a couple times a week, with my coach twice a week in the valley and at the gym four times a week.”

Now 15 years old, Whalen started with shot put in grade seven, going to provincials her first year.

In grade eight she set her shot put record and has got triple gold at provincials in Javelin, shot put and discus the last three years at provincials.

At the NSSAF provincial track and field championships, June 6 – 7, Whalen set a new NSSAF championship meet record.

Her shot put distance totaled 12.35 metres, beating the 1969 record of 11.73 metres.

A shot put weighs 10 pounds.

After junior nationals this month, she will go to legion nationals in Quebec Aug. 6 – 12.

She then heads to an under 23 track and field meet Aug. 15 – 26 in Ottawa.

“She made the Canada games team for next summer,” said her father Jeff.

The 2009 Canada games will take place in Prince Edward Island.

Next year she might go to Italy for the 2009 World Youth Championships.

Whalen also takes part in provincial basketball.

“It’s kind of an under 16 development team this year that I’m playing on, so it’s kind of laid back,” she said.

“I want to thank my dad for putting all the time in and my coach,” Whalen added.

In September she enters grade eleven at Liverpool Regional High School.