OkillSports 24SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011 Blakelock student finishes on topSnowboarder wins OFSAA gold in his final competitive raceBy Herb Garbuttracing circuit. Last year, he qualified for the USA OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFSnowboard Association nationals and finished sev-enth.In a sport where the point is going downhill asBut when it came to OFSAA, he found himself upquickly as possible, Danny Catalano was more inter-against Carter, a member of the Canadian nationalested in climbing. development team. Carter had finished with a silverA year after winning a silver medal at the Ontarioprior to winning last years gold and Catalano followedFederation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA)that path this year.snowboarding championships, CatalanoUnlike most school sports, snowboard-knew gold was within his grasp.ers cant exactly train at school. BlakelocksSnowboarding is Last year I knew (the winner,team practiced Monday near Milton buta great release. Mackenzie Carter) was graduating, saideven that was less than ideal conditions.When you've gotthe Grade 12 T.A. Blakelock student, soConsidering the hill size Im used to,your feet angled coming back in this year I wanted to winits like a mound of dirt, Catalano said.and your face is(the trophy) for our school.And as if training isnt tough enough,Catalano didnt disappoint at lastcompetition venues are even harder toright against the week's provincials. He posted the fastestcome by. OFSAA was actually held atsnow, you can't time in both runs to claim OFSAA gold inCamp Fortune in Quebec 20 minutesbeat that feeling.what he knew would be his last competi-north of Ottawa. tive race.You cant really expect to have people Danny CatalanoIve hit the pinnacle, he said with acome to Quebec to cheer you on, hesmile.said. His gold medal highlighted a successful day on theSo instead, he brought a piece of OFSAA back to hisslopes for Oakville. Oakville Trafalgars Sacha Fiandschool. And even though his competitive days are over,won a silver medal in the girls level 2 division (forCatalano has no plans on hanging up his snowboard.those who also compete with clubs) and OT won theSnowboarding is a great release, he said. Whenlevel 1 girls team title and was second in boys divi-youve got your feet angled and your face is rightsion.against the snow, you cant beat that feeling.Catalano turned in the fastest run of the competi-White Oaks Scott Presswood finished fifth andtion on his first run, finishing in 26.57 seconds.Jeremy Lister of Iroquois Ridge was sixth.Andrew Hildebrand of Forest Hill was his closest rivalFiand will try to follow Catalanos ascent up theat 28.31 seconds. Though he wasnt as quick on hisOFSAA podium after winning the girls level 2 silversecond run (27.69 seconds), Catalano still had the bestmedal. The Grade 10 student turned in the fastesttime to clinch the title.opening run with a time of 27.99 seconds.ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVERCatalano took up snowboarding when he was nineIt was the best run Ive seen her do in two years,years old after watching others in New York State.said OT coach Rob Sargant.WHITE GOLD:T.A. Blakelock student Danny Catalano won gold at lastTheir family had some friends on a race team andIn the second run, Fiand turned in a time of 28.47,week's Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations snowboarding champi-See Grade, page 25within two years, Catalano had joined them on theonships in Quebec.