Two of St. Paul’s young athletes will be representing Team Alberta at the upcoming 2011 Canada Winter Games at Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Jordan Sinclair and Mikayla Mailloux, both 15-year-old students at St. Paul Regional High School, will respectively be part of the province’s Junior Men’s Rifle Team and Junior Women’s Rifle Team.
Both athletes are coached by Russ Whitford, president of the Alberta Smallbore Rifle Association (ASRA). They each came to the sport differently, with Mikayla picking up target shooting four years ago after following her coach’s daughter to practices.
Jordan, on the other hand, tried the sport more than a year ago after his mother, Tracy, heard about it and suggested he try it. He took to the sport, in which his personal best is 564 out of 600 shots. He described it as “cool” to represent Alberta, and said he would like to show everybody what Albertans could do.
“I’m beyond excited,” added Mikayla, who has a personal best of 362 out of 400 shots, of the opportunity to represent the province in the sport.
Her mother, Cheryl, notes she’s proud of her daughter’s achievement, saying, “She’s only been shooting competitively for three years.” For her daughter to come this far in that span of time takes a lot of discipline, she feels.
Her wish is to see both young athletes compete at nationals. “Last year they went to Toronto to do the Grand Prix … making it to the Canada Winter Games is another step,” said Cheryl, who is going to Halifax together with Mikayla’s father to support their daughter.
Jordan’s parents, together with both of his grandmothers, will also be joining him in Halifax. “I’m excited to see them, and to see the whole Canada Winter Games,” said Tracy, adding they will not only be supporting their son, but all of Team Alberta.
Both athletes, together with their mothers, have high praises for Whitford and the guidance he provides as a coach.
“As parents, we very much admire how much he’s helped them along, and how he backs them up,” said Tracy.
“The tips he gives us on and off the line have changed our way of shooting,” added Mikayla. “He’s beyond helpful.”
