Thomas Bednarik Number 1 Ranked Long Jumper in Canada
First year University of Western Ontario student-athlete, and Chatham product Thomas Bednarik, has seen himself near the top of track and field competitions for most of his life, but now, the Chatham-Kent Secondary School alumni is in a unique position as the top ranked CIS long jumper in Canada.
Earlier this month at the 23rd Annual Team Challenge at the University of Windsor St. Denis Centre, Benarik jumped farther than any other University athlete in Canada has this season, hitting 7.08m.
According to Bednarik, he had something to prove this season as he started his University career after failing to grab the OFSAA medals others expected him to achieve in recent years,
“My season was to prove not only to myself but to all the coaches, athletes, and family members that I still can be performing at a top level even at the university setting. My two last years of track at high school made me believe that I let people down by not winning big meets and continuing to show progression in the sport, so I put it upon myself to almost make people believe in me again.”
After positioning himself as the top ranked long jumper not only in the OUA, but nationally at the CIS level, Thomas Bednarik definitely has people believing again. His 7.08m jump is even more impressive, considering only five jumpers have broke the 7m mark in Canada this year, with the next closest being Ahmed AlKabary of the University of Regina (7.03), and Andrew Dandle of the University of Windsor (7.02).
Bednarik is accomplishing these feats as a first year university athlete, however according to Bednarik, he doesn’t consider himself a freshman,
“I honestly do not look at myself as a freshman in track and field,” said Bednarik. “When I am competing the only thing I think about is jumping or running better than I ever have. When I jumped over 7m, and getting past the CIS standard, and becoming number one in the CIS, it didn’t come as a shock because all the hours and hard work I put in over the summer months. I feel hard work and motivation beat any other athlete who posses the same amount of talent.”
Bednarik also recognizes it takes a web of support, from family, former and current coaches, and friends to help him reach his peak performance, but at the end of the day, when he jumps at the CIS Championships in Winnipeg this March 8-10, his season will come down to what he makes of it himself,
“It was a season built upon by my own hard work, determination and drive to win.”
Continue to follow the Chatham-Kent Sports Network for updates on Thomas Bednarik as he competes at the CIS Track and Field Championships.