International stae await brinadose thrMng on tulathion scene Stil in their first year ofex istence, MtttonIs Tornada Triatln Club has wasted no time maklng lits presence feit on the youth/adult racing circuit' Contlnulng a strong early-season campalgn, the team enjoyed strong showlngs at a pair of recent events - most notably at the Cale don Kids of Steel. Leadlng the way wlth a.golden performance vff MiI Kubas, whose 20:01 performance (, _ swim, 5km bike 2kmn mn) put hlm a eithe 10-and-11-year-old division. Older sister Elle Kubas was second among ail girls ini her ag. group and slxth overail In the 14-mnd-1 5-ye-old division wlth a 40:47 ef- fart in the 500m swim, 10Okm blkeA-km mun. Sthe six-and-seven-year-odd LA ranks was Kyla Ross-Skinner, who completed the 50m swim 1.5kmn bike, 500m mun course in 10-26. Also cracking the top-i O in lier age group (eight-and-nine-year-old) and ptaclng tird among the girls was Annîka Theben, who clocked in at 17:05 in the 100Om swlm, 3km bike, 1 km mun. On the sanie weekend, the Tomnados corn- peted at the Guelpli Lake Klds of Steel Youth Cup Sertes. Ella Kubas was the top finisher, placing 16th overaîl and third among the girls, whlle age group-mate Hetene Theben was seventh among the girls and 21 st overall. Annika Theben was the top mountain biker. The se tryout! were le That's 'Actual during stando ta Segi about things lookini the tin Showc her a! mer, tI surviv spot on Canada's U 18 women's sevens team that'il be headed ta Nanjing, China for the Youth Otympic Games in mid-August. The i 2-player squad was announced last week. Said an excited Richard, "lt's absolutely incred- ibte. To have the opportunity ta go to China and represent Canada wlth so many talented players... lt's a lot ta take ln. Members of this year's squad have been iden- tifled as having potential ta b. part cf the Olymplc team In 2020. Remarked Women's Olympic'Sevens head coach John Tait, »Kaitlyn lis good size and decent speed wltli reai potentiai ta improve further with some dedlcated training. She showed some gaod uptake on some of the positional and technlcal skllls we have coached lier. Hopefully with some continued support and diligence on her part she can play an important part in this team's success and potentiatly someday as a senior player in aur Olympic program.0 one-sided piayer.» Richard is also embracing the pressure beset an the Canadian squad, that heads overseas with high expectations after qualifying with a second-place finish at last year's Sevens World Cup in Russia. This makes Canada the highest- qualifying team within the North American Caribbean Rugby Association. "Being around the senior women's team play- ers (in B.C.) was incredibie. They've built such a legacy as a force ta b. reckoned with" said Richard, who adds that sie's definitely vying for a spot in the starting lineup and figures slie'l be used on the wing or in a set-up rote. She'll bejoined by another Halton-area player, Maddy Seatte of Oakvitle. *l think the pressure motivates me, and l'm hoping ta make ev- eryane proud. We're (Canada) not just going there ta compete; we're going there ta come away with it aill' Steve LeBlanc can b. reached at siebIanc@miI- toncanadianchamnpion.com or on Twitter @Mil- tonOnSports. MAKE YOUR NEXT NUGHT OUT SUITABLE FOR FRAMING.' You'll always remember a great night out at OLG Stots alt Mohawk Racetrack. FUN SIOTS TASTY eITES LIVE RACING LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ON WEEKENDS OLG Siots at Mohawk Racetrack 9430 Guelph Lirte, Campbellville,. ON (905) 854-4053 Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. oig.ca AI MOHAWK IACETIIACK Must be 19 years of age or older. Valid govemment-issued photo identification may be required. lm knowyourlimItca beIocaI rugb standout: Richard thrilied to be namned to U18 national"" sevens squad forYouth Olympic Gamnes in Chinaiý 3 By Stev LeBlanc Pointing to a strict Olympic weight lifting regi- r4 CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF men adopted sinceilast year'sU18 nationals in 2 Vancouver - where she scored an insurance> ~ond and final round of national team try (lier third of tournament) in Ontaria's 25-5Z was underway and just four more cuts gold-medal win over host B.C. - Richard feels fto be made. she's added sufficient: strength to her naturai z Nhen things really got nerve-wracking. speed. o Iiy, it was more scary at that point than Both wiii be especially vital under the tirne- the first camp," recaIled local rugby shortened, wide-open environment of sevens -é ut Kaitiyn Richard of two recent trips play. O uin, B.C. «Once you get ta that stage it's "There's nobody beside you out there (in sev-- the littie mistakes, not the big onles... ens), so you've got ta make your tacktes or be you do when (seemingly) nobody's able to power through hits," noted Richard, g. You've got to be on top of the bail ail who despite initial reservatians about ptaying LIC e." rugby - due to her then diminutive stature 0Zr asing the two-way prowess that landed - has shown rapid development since her spot on the provincial squad last sum- start in Grade 9 at Bishop Reding Secondary rie quick-footed i 8-year-old. Mittonian School. «I prefer it (sevens) - the faster, short- o0 ~the final roster trimming to clinch a er game. You definitely can't afford to bejust a