Another TISS runner nabs U.S. scholarship
Jenn Wynands off to U. of South Florida
Posted By Ron Smith, Sports Editor
Posted 2 days ago
Jenn Wynands runs for fun.
Now, she's going away on a university athletic scholarship because of that.
The 19-year-old Wynands has received a full scholarship from the University
of South Florida in Tampa, Florida for the fall to run on their cross-country
and track and field team.
"It's really a big honour to get something like that. It's such an amazing
experience to be down there," said Wynands on Thursday before a running workout.
"All the experiences you get, the places you go and see is amazing."
She becomes the 18th TISS Pirate in the last number of years to earn a
university scholarship to the United States, an impressive total.
Earning an athletic scholarship to the United States wasn't on her priority
list when she became involved in running, first at St. Francis, then St. John
Bosco and St. Mary Catholic School and for the past few years at TISS.
"I just really like to run. I do it for fun because I like it," said Wynands,
the daughter of Janet and Ed of Lyn. "I like to see myself improve every year.
I've improved my times every year. I just keep getting stronger each year. I run
because I like it."
That's what Pirates coach Randy Givogue noticed about Wynands.
"She was a good runner in Grade 9 but she's nowhere near the level she's at
in Grade 12. She could be called a late bloomer," said Givogue.
"Jenn is different than a lot of girls. After Grade 9, some girls have a hard
time continuing to improve but Jenn has improved every year," he continued. "She
just kept chipping away at her times, getting stronger and faster and not all
girls have the ability to do that."
In Grade 9, the times for Wynands in the 3,000 metres were around 11 minutes
and 35 seconds. She has cut that down every year to the point where she is
running times of 10:25 now.
"She is one of the hardest workers we have, a very mature
runner," praised Givogue.
Wynands will be running cross-country for the South Florida Bulls in the
fall. Then, she will switch to the indoor season and run the 1,500 and 3,000
metres before stepping up to the 5,000-metre event for the outdoor season.
"There were so many good runners at TISS. Seeing Matt Leeder win all his
races, Kyle Milks, Jacob Smith, Will McFall, they're such good runners. I was
confident that anything could happen," said Wynands, who will be studying to
become an elementary school teacher.
Wynands, who usually runs around 60 kilometres a week, is beginning to step
up her training in anticipation of the 80 kilometres a week that will be her
usual schedule at South Florida.
She credited the strong running programs in Brockville, not just at TISS but
with coach Bob Tucker and the Brockville Legion, for their strong support in
helping her along the way.