Falls teen continues to break records

By Bernie Puchalski - September 15, 2020

Carson Gauthier is the definition of a quick study.

Training seriously for less than a year, the 14-year-old Niagara Falls resident has chalked up an impressive list of track and field accomplishments.

The Grade 9 student at Saint Michael Catholic High School in Niagara Falls has won nine provincial gold medals, set three provincial records and was named Athletics Ontario’s under-14 athlete of the year in 2019.

His most recent under-15 record came Sept. 4 in Brampton when he threw the javelin 53.12 metres. His previous best in the event was 46 metres.

“I don’t know what happened. That is a good question,” Gauthier said, when asked to explain his record throw. “That was a big leap (in his personal best) because I didn’t practice for two weeks before that.”

The Thorold Elite Track Club member, who won the under-16 boys javelin event at a track and field meet last Saturday at the Niagara Olympic Club, is clearly trending in the right direction.

“That (Brampton) throw would have won OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) track and field for novice boys javelin in 2019 so it’s exciting to think about the possibilities for next year if we are lucky enough to have OFSAA back,” Thorold Elite coach Steve Fife said.

Breaking records has become a normal expectation for Gauthier.

“We were expecting him to break the under-15 provincial record in the pentathlon this summer but there hasn’t been any multi-event competitions so that has allowed us to take a step back and continue to look ahead to a future decathlon,” Fife said. “He is currently training for nine out of the 10 events and will be starting pole vault later this month.”

Gauthier is presently the province’s top-ranked under-15 athlete in javelin, discus, high jump and hurdles.

“While he already excels in a few particular events — javelin, hurdles, and high jump are some of his favourites — when it comes to the multi-events, he is strong across the board and has the potential to be not just a provincial champion but a Canadian champion.”

The six-footer trains six times a week and has no issues with wanting to be at practice.

“I keep throwing farther and farther and I like it so I keep going with it,” he said. “That is my motivation.”

Training involves multiple disciplines for the talented teen.

“I am a multi-eventer so I have to train for a bunch of events,” he said.

Like every athlete in the world, Gauthier has had to adjust his training regime because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It has been pretty tough but we have managed to do some things at home,” said the Niagara Rapids travel volleyball player. “We have figured stuff out and now we pretty much have things down pat.”

He continues to set high short-term goals for himself.

“I am trying to get as many records and wins as I can.”

As for the long term, he is also thinking big.

“Hopefully I can get a scholarship, That would be nice.”

Wherever the sport takes him, it will be a labour of love.

“It intrigues me and it is fun,” he said.

BPSN’s coverage of track and field is made possible with the support of the Niagara Olympic Club (https://nocrunners.com).