Kyle Helf of Canada - shot put silver medallist (© Getty Images)
A Shot Put silver medalist at last year’s World Youth Championships in Sherbrooke, Canada, Kyle Helf will once again be his country’s best medal hopeful at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Grosseto, Italy, 13-19 July.
Supported by the crowd, Helf set a personal best 20.79m in Sherbrooke and won one of only two medals for Canada. Helf also competed in the Discus Throw in Sherbrooke where he finished a respectable 10th.
Leading Canadian Athletes’ biographies
Kyle Helf
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Male Height: 188 cm / 6’2”
Born: 17 March 1986 Weight: 107 kg / 235 lbs
Birthplace: Alliston, ON – CAN Club: Simcoe Dufferin TF Club
Residence: Alliston, ON – CAN Coach: Peter Dajia
Languages: English School: St. Thomas Aquinas High School
2003 CANADIAN YOUTH RANKINGS:
1st Shot Put (5kg) 20.89m 21 Jun 2003 Legion Championships – CAN
1st Discus Throw (1.5kg) 57.94m 21 Jun 2003 Legion Championships – CAN
1st Javelin Throw (700g) 64.74m 3 Aug 2003 Ontario Championships, Kitchener, ON – CAN
3rd Hammer Throw (5kg) 60.35m 3 Aug 2003 Ontario Championships, Kitchener, ON – CAN
PERSONAL BEST:
Shot put (5 kg) 20.89m 21 Jun 2003 Legion Championships – CAN
Shot put (6 kg) 17.90m 18 Jul 2003 Pam Am Jr., Bridgetown – BAR
Discus (1.5 kg) 57.94m 21 Jun 2003 Legion Championships – CAN
Kurt Benninger
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Male Height: 180 cm / 5’11”
Born: 01 January 1985 Weight: 57 kg / 125 lbs
Birthplace: Walkerton, ON – CAN Club: Saugeen Track Club
Residence: Chepstow, ON – CAN Coach: Geordie Farrell
Languages: English Occupation: Student
PERSONAL BEST:
1500m 3:41.95 2 Aug 2002 Ontario Championships, Ottawa, ON – CAN
3000m 8:10.5 29 Jul 2003 Meagher, Halifax, NE – CAN
5000m 15:03.19 04 Aug 2002 Ontario Championships, Ottawa, ON – CAN
2003 CANADIAN RANKING:
23rd (Sr) 800m 1:15.63 03 Aug 2003 Ontario Championships, Kitchener, ON – CAN
1st (Jr) / 16th (Sr) 1500m 3:49.08 20 Jul 2003 Junior Pan Am Games, Bridgetown – BAR
1st (Sr) 3000m 8:10.5 29 Jun 2003 Meagher, Halifax, NE – CAN
Tabia Charles
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Female Height:
Born: 06 Apr 1985 Weight:
Birthplace: Club:
Residence: Pickering, ON Coach:
Languages: English School:
2003 CANADIAN YOUTH RANKINGS:
1 TJ 13.04 15 Jun 2003 Top 3, Toronto, ON – CAN
1 LJ (indoor) 13.13 15 Mar 2003 NIS Championships, New York, NY – USA
PERSONAL BEST:
Long Jump 6.27 01 Apr 2003 Texas Relays, Austin, TX – USA
Triple Jump 13.53 (indoor) 16 Jan 2003 Gainesville, FL – USA
Jared Connaughton
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Male Height: 5’9 / 175cm
Born: 20 Jul 1985 Weight: 165lbs / 74kg
Birthplace: Charlottetown, PEI – CAN Club: Dynamic Fitness
Residence: Arlington, TX – USA Coach: D.MacEachern/K.White
Languages: English School: University of Texas at Arlington
PERSONAL BEST:
100m 10.59 17 May 2004 Southland Conference Championships, San Marcos, TX – USA
200m 21.09 17 May 2004 Southland Conference Championships, San Marcos, TX – USA
Alex Genest
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Male Height: 175 cm/ 5’10’’
Born: 30 June 1986 Weight: 57 kg/ 126 lbs
Birthplace: Shawinigan, QC – CAN Club: Athletic Club Énergie
Residence: Lac-aux-Sables,QC – CAN Coach: Pierre Thibodeau
Languages: French, English School: Sherbrooke College
2003 CANADIAN YOUTH RANKINGS:
2nd 2000mSC 5:51.61 13 Jul 2003 World Youth Championships, Sherbrooke, QC – CAN
PERSONAL BEST:
2000mSC 5:51.61 13 Jul 2003 World Youth Championships, Sherbrooke, QC – CAN
Jenni Hucul
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Female Height: 176 cm / 5’9”
Born: 17 May 1988 Weight: 64 kg / 141 lb
Birthplace: Saskatoon, SK – CAN Club: Saskatoon TFC
Residence: Saskatoon, SK – CAN Coach: Todd Johnston
Languages: English School: University of Saskatchewan
2003 CANADIAN YOUTH RANKINGS:
1st 100m 11.58 6 July 2003 Canadian Jr. Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
2nd 200m 24.50 26 April 2003 Rice T, Houston, TX – USA
PERSONAL BEST:
100m 11.58 6 Jul 2003 Canadian Jr. Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
200m 24.08 18 Aug 2002 Rice T, Houston, TX – USA
Megan Huzzey
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Female Height:
Born: 06 Sept 1985 Weight:
Birthplace: Victoria, BC – CAN Club:
Residence: Victoria, BC – CAN Coach:
Languages: English School:
2003 CANADIAN YOUTH RANKINGS:
5th 10kmW 53:17.98 06 Jul 2003 Canadian Junior Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
PERSONAL BEST:
10kmW 50.23 04 Apr 2004 Overland Park, KS – USA
Emily Johnson
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Female Height: 167 cm / 5’6”
Born: 23 Feb 1987 Weight: 66 kg / 145 lbs
Birthplace: Guelph, ON – CAN Club: Kitchener-Waterloo TFA
Residence: Guelph, ON – CAN Coach: Luc VanGrootel
Languages: English and French School: John F. Ross Collegiate
2003 CANADIAN YOUTH RANKINGS:
1st 200m 24.48 7 Jul 2003 Canadian Junior Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
6th 100m 12.16 6 Jul 2003 Canadian Junior Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
PERSONAL BEST:
100m 11.92 8 Jun 2002 OFSAA Championships, Belleville, ON – CAN
200m 24.00 6 Jul 2002 Tubman International Meet, Toronto, ON – CAN
Frances Keating
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Female Height: 5’7” / 170cm
Born: 21 Jun 1985 Weight: 127lbs / 57kg
Birthplace: Toronto, ON – CAN Club: GFPAthletics
Residence: Earlton, ON – CAN Coach: Sheila Siemachesky
Languages: English, French School: University of Nebraska
2003 CANADIAN RANKINGS:
1st 100mH (Jr) 13.94 20 Jul 2003 Pan Am Junior Championships, Bridgetown – BAR
1st 400mH (Jr) 61.52 15 Jun 2003 OTFA Top 3, Toronto, ON – CAN
20th 60mH (Sr) 8.90 09 Feb 2003 Toronto, ON – CAN
PERSONAL BEST:
100mH 13.94 20 Jul 2003 Pan Am Junior Championships, Bridgetown – BAR
400mH 60.40 16 Apr 2004 Pumona Pitzer Invitational, Claremont, CA – USA
Alyson Kohlmeier
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Female Height: 157 cm / 5’2”
Born: 1 Dec 1986 Weight: 45 kg / 100 lbs
Birthplace: Sarnia, ON – CAN Club: Sarnia Athletics
Residence: Sarnia, ON – CAN Coach: Mark MacDonald
Languages: English School: St. Patrick's High School
2003 CANADIAN YOUTH RANKINGS:
1st 1500m 4:20.64 10 Jul 2003 World Youth Championships, Sherbrooke, QC – CAN
7th 800m 2:14.16 21 Jun 2003 Great Lakes, St. Thomas, ON – CAN
PERSONAL BEST:
1500m 4:20.64 10 Jul 2003 World Youth Championships, Sherbrooke, QC – CAN
800m 2:11.72 22 May 2002 La Salle, QC – CAN
Sean Laforest
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Male Height: 5’10” / 177cm
Born: 28 May 1985 Weight: 220lbs / 100kg
Birthplace: Calgary, AB – CAN Club: Valley Royals
Residence: Mission, BC – CAN Coach: Harold Willers
Languages: English School:
2003 CANADIAN JUNIOR RANKINGS:
3rd Hammer (6kg) 57.11 21 Jun 2003 BC Junior Championships, Abbotsford, BC – CAN
PERSONAL BEST:
Hammer (6lb) 61.31 08 May 2004 Centennial Track Meet, Kamloops, BC – CAN
Paul Martin
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Male Height: 5’11” / 180cm
Born: 10 Jul 1984 Weight: 160lbs / 72kg
Birthplace: Toronto, ON – CAN Club: UOTC
Residence: Pickering, ON – CAN Coach: Milt Ottey
Languages: English School: Pine Ridge Secondary
2003 CANADIAN YOUTH RANKINGS:
1st 110mH 14.31 05 Jul 2003 Canadian Junior Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
2nd 400mH 53.48 06 Jul 2003 Canadian Junior Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
PERSONAL BEST:
110mH 14.31 05 Jul 2003 Canadian Junior Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
Michael Mason
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Male Height: 187 cm / 6’2”
Born: 30 Sept 1986 Weight: 70 kg / 155 lbs
Birthplace: Nanoose Bay, BC – CAN Club: Valley Royals TF Club
Residence: Nanoose Bay, BC – CAN Coach: Tony Dickson / Barb Vida
Languages: English School: Ballenas Secondary School
2003 CANADIAN YOUTH RANKINGS:
2nd High Jump 2.05m 19 Jul 2003 Canadian Championships, Victoria, BC – CAN
PERSONAL BEST:
High Jump 2.15 01 May 2004 Abbotsford, BC – CAN
Meredith McGregor
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Female Height:
Born: Weight:
Birthplace: Club:
Residence: White Rock, BC – CAN Coach:
Languages: English School:
2003 CANADIAN YOUTH RANKINGS:
4th 2000mSC (Sr) 7:32.73 05 Jul 2003 Canadian Junior Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
Yvonne Mensah
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Female Height:
Born: 15 May 1985 Weight:
Birthplace: Club:
Residence: Coach:
Languages: English School: University of Illinois
2003 CANADIAN RANKINGS:
10th 100mH 14.01 04 July 2003 Canadian Junior Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
8th 100m 11.61 04 July 2003 Canadian Junior Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
4th 200m 23.92 06 June 2003 BC High School Championships, Burnaby, BC – CAN
PERSONAL BEST:
100mH 13.71 Feb 2004 Big Ten Conference Championship, Iowa City, IA – USA
100m 11.61 04 Jul 2003 Canadian Junior Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
200m 23.65 Feb 2004 Big Ten Conference Championship, Iowa City, IA – USA
Hank Palmer
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Male Height: 5’11/179cm
Born: 16 March 1985 Weight: 164lbs/75kg
Birthplace: Dollard-des-Orme, QC – CAN Club: Saint Laurent TFC
Residence: Dollard-des-Orme, QC – CAN Coach: Daniel St. Hilaire
Languages: English, French School:
PERSONAL BEST:
100m 10.41 9 Aug 2003 Espoire, Sackville, NS – CAN
200m 20.94 20 Jul 2003 Pan American Jr. Championships, Bridgetown – BAR
2003 CANADIAN RANKING:
1st (Jr.)/5th (Sr.) 100m 10.41 Espoire, Sackville, NS – CAN
1st (Jr.)/6th (Sr.) 200m 20.94 Pan American Jr. Championships, Bridgetown – BAR
David Pedneault
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Male Height: 186cm / 6’1”
Born: 25 May 1986 Weight: 77kg / 170 lbs
Birthplace: Montréal, QC – CAN Club: Racing de Montreal
Residence: Montréal, QC – CAN Coach: Marc-Élie Toussaint
Languages: French/English School: André Grasset
2003 CANADIAN YOUTH RANKINGS:
1st 100m 10.45 5 Jul 2003 Canadian Junior Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
1st 200m 21.74 6 Jul 2003 Canadian Junior Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
2nd 400m 49.66 10 May 2003 White Plains, NY – USA
PERSONAL BEST:
100m 10.45 5 Jul 2003 Canadian Jr. Championships, Saskatoon, SK – CAN
200m 21.51 15 Aug 2002 Legion National Championships, Sherbrooke, QC – CAN
400m 49.66 10 May 2003 White Plains, NY – USA
Kyle Smith
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Male Height:
Born: 25 Jan 1985 Weight:
Birthplace: Toronto, ON – CAN Club:
Residence: Cedar Falls, IO – USA Coach:
Languages: English School: University of Northern Iowa
2003 CANADIAN JUNIOR RANKINGS:
3rd 1:51.74 15 Jul 2003 Hamilton, ON – CAN
Adrianne Vangool
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Female Height: 5’8” / 172cm
Born: 30 Oct 1985 Weight: 140lbs / 63kg
Birthplace: Saskatoon, SK – CAN Club: Riversdale Athletics
Residence: Saskatoon, SK – CAN Coach: Rick Petrucha
Languages: English School: University of Saskatchewan
2003 CANADIAN YOUTH RANKINGS:
1st Pole Vault 4.01 10 Jul 2003 Saskatoon, SK – CAN
PERSONAL BEST:
Pole Vault 4.01 10 Jul 2003 Saskatoon, SK – CAN
Chris Winter
PERSONAL DATA:
Sex: Male Height: 185 cm / 6’1”
Born: 22 July 1986 Weight: 73 kg / 160 lbs
Birthplace: N. Vancouver, BC – CAN Club: Nor Westers
Residence: N. Vancouver, BC – CAN Coach: Frank Reynolds
Languages: English School: Handsworth Secondary School
2003 CANADIAN YOUTH RANKINGS:
1st 2000mSC 5:44.23 13 Jul 2003 World Youth Championships, Sherbrooke, QC – CAN
3rd 3000m 8:31.00 23 Jul 2003 Hershey, Burnaby, BC – CAN
6th Mile 3:58.83 6 Jul 2003 Craven, Burnaby, BC – CAN
PERSONAL BEST:
3000m 8:31.00 23 Jul 2003 Craven, Burnaby, BC – CAN
1500mSC 4:12.98 10 Aug 2003 Canadian Legion Championships, Kitchener, ON – CAN
2000mSC 5:44.23 13 Jul 2003 World Youth Championships, Sherbrooke, QC – CAN
Yvonne Shoucair (Athletics Canada) for the IAAF
