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www.durhamrcgion.com Efje Canatitmt Statesman THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, OCTOBER 1,2003 PAGE 13 Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 October 1, 2003 infodurhamregioii.com Durham's Canadian idol KYLE MacPHERSON/ Statesman photo World champion gold medalist Perdita Felicien was honoured in Pickering at the Recreation Complex on Saturday. She was accompanied by her mother Cathy Moe. World champion hurdler humbled and awed in homecoming BYAL RIVEH Staff Editor PICKERING - To the victor goes the spoils. And, Pickering's world champion Perdita Felicien was humbled and awed by the outpouring of affection, not to mention gifts, in a homecoming fit for a conquering hero Saturday. Wet and dreary weather notwithstanding, notwithstanding, the red carpet was rolled out for Felicien in a celebration featuring plenty of pomp and circumstance. The trappings of celebrity were everywhere: A limo that stretched half a city block ferried Perdita and her family to the Pickering Recreation Complex; a bevy of politicians were on hand, many trying to capture some of her star power; a crush of media out in full force to cover the proceedings and a lobby full of fans looked to catch a glimpse and hear from the City's and Canada's newest hero. But, most of all, the 23-year-old emerging track and field superstar was glad to be home, among friends, family and, now, a legion of adoring fans. "Going to the plane in Paris, I wanted so much to go home," Felicien, suffering from a bout of laryngitis, told an audience audience at the Pickering Town Centre. She instead had to travel to Illinois to resume her studies at the University of Illinois. "I can't express how important your support lias been to me. 1 definitely couldn't have done it without your support. support. I can't say thank you enough. I hope to make everyone proud next year in Athens and in the years to come." One month ago'Saturday, Felicien shocked the world and herself, by winning winning the women's 100-metre hurdles title at the 2003 IAAF World Track and Field Championships 'tit St." Denis, near Paris. Her time of 12.53 seconds in the final represented a new personal best and a new Canadian record. A month later, the 23-year-old hurdler hurdler was home from the University of Illinois, sharing her heady accomplishment accomplishment with her hometown. At 11:30 a.m., Felicien stepped out of the Cadillac limo wearing a simple white blouse and black, pinstriped slacks and walked into the spotlight. With camera crews at the ready and Mayor Wayne Arthurs at her side, she was piped into the Pickering Recreation Complex by bagpiper John Hill and an honour guard from the Pickering Pickering fire department. Once inside, she was greeted to a rousing ovation from an overflowing crowd. Arthurs delivered the first of many personal tributes and accolades. At the podium, the mayor presented Felicien the key to the recreation complex, while adding, "You can treat it as a key to the City." The mayor later announced that at Monday's meeting of City Council, a bylaw would be passed naming Felicien as the 'City's Ambassador to the World.' Her former track coach Curtis Saha- dath, who instructed her following her graduation from Grade 8 at Glengrove Public School, was next to the dais. He saw potential in lier right from the start. "Immediately we recognized that she was a very special athlete, especially in the hurdles. "She took some time off after the first year, she came back and, as they say, the rest is history." But, in addition to being a world- class athlete, Sàhadath says Felicien is so much more, referring to her as "delightful, "delightful, extremely coachable and a tremendous tremendous leader. "She carries herself with more humility humility than you can imagine." Sahadath later made bold predictions of his former protégé, noting she's on the cusp of winning three Olympic titles, "starting with the next one" in Athens in 2004. "I also believe that when her 100 metres metres time comes down from where it is, she'll be the first woman to run under 12 seconds in the 100-metre hurdles and I said it here today." Felicien acknowledged how much the support from her hometown has meant to lier over the years, especially at the world championships last month. "1 love you guys; I thank you for the embrace. Thank you for welcoming me here as world champion," she said, her voice cracking. She added quickly, "I'm more nervous nervous being here than I was before the race." The Pine Ridge Secondary School grad hinted gold could be in the offing following the Olympic Games in Athens next summer. "I hope you'll be around next year for an even greater celebration," she stated to more cheers. After participating in the presentation of awards to the long-time members of the recreation complex, Felicien was immediately immediately deluged by an awaiting thong of media and later signed autographs for fans upstairs at the complex, celebrating its 20th annual anniversary that day. Following a private reception and buffet luncheon with dignitaries at City hall, Felicien and her family were whisked to the Pickering Town Centre where more fans and accolades were waiting. Felicien's appearance at the shopping mall took on that of rock star proportions, proportions, as the emcee counted down the minutes to the audience awaiting word of when she would be there. And, upon her arrival, he shouted: "Perdita Felicien is in the building." Upon entering the mall's centre court area, the world champion was cheered by the huge crowd on hand. Following the introductions, Felicien's Felicien's high school track and field coach at Pine Ridge, Pam Masales, took the podium. She added her voice to those who could see greatness in Felicien in her formative years in the sport. "Am I surprised? Not so. I knew that some day she would a world-class athlete. athlete. I knew she was gifted then," says Masales, who retired several years ago from Pine Ridge. Masales recalled Felicien first competed competed for the school in Grade 10, winning winning the silver medal in the junior women's 100 metres that year. By her senior year at Pine Ridge in 1999, "her reputation was well established." That year, she won the 100-metre hurdles event at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) provincial track and field championships in a record 13.41 seconds. Her former track coach and teaèhër said seeing Felicien win the world championship championship last month "brought tears of joy to my eyes." She added the world champion has captured the imagination of the Pickering Pickering community. "You are my and this community's Canadian idol," said Masales. Eagles in win one, lose one pattern Beat Port Hope, lose to Lindsay, beat Cobourg BY BRAD KELLY Sports Editor BOWMANVILLE - A teeter-totter teeter-totter type weekend ended on a high for the Bowmanville Eagles. After starting on a high with a 5-3 win in Port Hope against the Predators Predators Friday to extend an unbeaten streak to five games, the Eagles came back down to earth with a 6-3 loss Sunday at home to the Lindsay Muskics. But they managed to spring back up in Cobourg Monday night, doubling the Cougars 4-2. The win one, lose one, win one pattern is something coach Curtis Hodgins expects to sec a lot of as the season unfolds. "This league is so tight this year, there is a lot of parity," says Hodgins of the Provincial Junior Hockey League's East Conference. "Each night every team has a chance to win regardless if they arc on the road or at home." The Eagles found that out Sunday hosting the Lindsay Muskics. Despite Despite the Eagles holding a 3-2 lead at one point in the second period, Lindsay Lindsay pumped four unanswered goals past nclmindcr Cory Snoddon, including including two on the power play and another short-handed in a 6-3 win. But they rebounded with a strong effort Monday, as James Neal potted a pair of goals, the final one into an empty net, for the win. Justin Camail Camail a and Jeff Oke also scored to improve improve the Eagles to 4-3-2-0 on the season. The strong start may help the Eagles Eagles with some recruiting, as the hockey club continues to try to al-, tract players to improve the rosier. Everyone wants to piny for a winner, and if the victories continue to come, the Eagles will be an enticing option for players looking for a fresh start with another team. "We're still looking," admits Hod- gins. "We'd like to add another im- Curtis Hodgins: 'Each night, every team has a chance to win.' pact forward because you can never be too strong. Obviously we'd like to shore up our defence, but everyone is looking for a defenceman." Even though the team continues to search for players to improve, it's in no way meant as a slight to the players already on the roster, Hodgins Hodgins stresses. On the contrary, the coach heaps praise on his hockey club. "Our guys have done well so far. We think we have a very good club here, the best we've had in years. But the East (Conference) is so tight, it's going to be a battle." This weekend will bring a trip to Trenton to face the Sting Friday night, followed by a home outing against the Kingston Voyageurs Sunday Sunday at 6:30 p.m. THE SCOOP - Scoring in Sunday's Sunday's loss to the Lindsay Muskics were James Neal, Matt Caruana and Adam Maccarone. Neal also had a pair of assists, as did Jeff Oke...In Saturday's 5-3 win in Port Hope, Sean Brackin notched a hat trick, with singles to Smith and Matt Caruana...Erik Petersen received a four-game suspension for a check to the head match penalty received Sept. 24 in a game against Port Hope. He will be eligible to return to the lineup Sunday night against Kingston. rrrrj MM3 SPORTS www.lcesports.com e-moll: oihowaeiceiporti.com ** POWERSKATING WITH' > MARY GIACALONE m Begins Oct. 2 Thurs. at 5:15 pnv 1401 PHILLIP MURRAY AVE. OSHAWA 905-725-6951 ONLY AT CANLAN ICE SPORTS POWERSKATING AND HOCKEY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT Begins Oct. 6 • Ages 6-12 Mondays at 4:15 pm LEARN TO SKATE ,. .. . .v.s - ■ >\ ... .. Begins Oct, 4 Saturdays at 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Parent 4 Tot, Pre-School (ages 2-5) Learn to skate (ages 4-12) HOCKEY TIPS FOR TOTS Begins Oct. 4 • Saturdays at 1:00 pm Instructional program • Ages 3-6 i Port Hope Port Hope Golf & County £.lub FALL SPECIAL 4 people & 2 carts $ 125°° (Reg. $ 208°°) •Valid September 26 - October 13, 2003 * Coupon must be presented at time of purchase For tee off reservations please call 905-885-6487 or 1-800-346-5361 82 Victoria Street South Port Hope, ON LIA 3L6 mm mURTICE ■mm ipSpi IP V' SOCCER ASSOCIATION Courtice Soccer Association Annual General Meeting Wednesday, October 8,2003 at 7:00 pm, Courtice High School, Volunteers needed for a successful season. Positions in Courtice Executive are available. For more information call Darlington Soccer Club 905-623-7309 or e-mail: dysc@globalserve.net