SUMMERSIDE – A late decision to compete in javelin proved to be a rewarding one for Lauren Lilly.
The Grade 10 student at Three Oaks Senior High School set a new P.E.I. School Athletic Association juvenile girls’ record in javelin at the recent west regional meet at UPEI. Lilly threw a distance of 28.63 metres, breaking the previous mark – 27.29 metres – that was established by Ales McMonagle of Charlottetown Rural on May 20, 2017.
“I wasn’t expecting it (PEISAA record),” Lilly told the Journal Pioneer in an interview at Three Oaks. “I didn’t think I threw it properly, but I had a good throw.”
The 16-year-old daughter of Ian and Carol Lilly of Summerside admitted she decided to go ahead and compete in javelin during one of the final team practices before the regional competition.
Other than running
“I wanted to do something other than running, so at the last minute I decided to do javelin,” explained Lilly, who admitted it was the throwing aspect that attracted her to the sport.
“I just like throwing stuff . . . and throwing it far,” added Lilly, who also wears the Three Oaks Axewomen’s uniform in senior softball team, senior AAA volleyball squad, senior AAA basketball club and juvenile girls’ badminton.
Next up for Lilly, who is now practising three times a week “working on technique and the proper way to throw”, is the PEISAA track and field championships at UPEI on Friday, June 1.
“I am kind of nervous (entering provincials),” said Lilly. “I don’t know how well the other girls can throw, and I don’t know if I can throw as well as I did at regionals.”
