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Julia Tunks has some added motivation heading into the Canadian track and field championships at Montreal this week.
The rising discus star threw an impressive 59.06 metres in the rain and cold at the recent Harry Jerome Classic in Langley, B.C., but left unsatisfied.
“I came second, though, which made me a little pissed off,” the 17-year-old Londoner said. “It was against a Canadian who I’ll face again at nationals.”
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Tunks and 28-year-old British Columbian Agnes Esser, who won with a 59.59-metre effort, are expected to duel for gold this Saturday. Since the meet is doubling as the Olympic trials, there is a chance the teen could find herself making the trip to Paris next month.
“I have to win, but it’ll take 60 (metres) or more to win it,” said Tunks, who topped 62 metres at an Oklahoma meet in May.
“I have gotten a little overwhelmed from feeling pressure (in the past). My family has never made me feel pressure. I’m 17. If I qualify for the Olympics or not, I’m good. It’s harder said than done. I’m having fun out there.”
Tunks is part of a small London-Western club heading to Montreal. Her younger sister Jenna, also an OFSAA champ for Oakridge earlier this month, will compete in the U20 nationals a day later.
“A lot of people ask us if we get along,” Julia said. “I have all these records for school and they say are you going to be mad if she breaks them? I’m like, ‘That’s great.’ If it was anybody, I hope it’s her. There’s only really love between us. I hope we’re on a team together at university before we’re done.”
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Paris or not, Julia’s season will extend to the world under-20 championships at Lima, Peru, in late August. Then, she will head to UCLA for her freshman year of college.
“It feels like it’s time to take that next step,” she said. “I’m nervous, as most kids are, but I’m really excited.”
ON TRACK: Olympic decathlon champion Damian Warner will use nationals as a tune-up for Paris. He will race in the 110-metre hurdles, 400 metres and long jump . . . Watch for Kate Current (1,500m), Mark Bujnowski (shot put), runner Jeremy Coughler (5,000m) and Favour Okpali (400m, 800m) to make their marks at the trials . . . Jenna Tunks (discus), Liam Smith (1,500m), Payton Serraglio (pole vault) and Ryan Davies (steeplechase) are the No. 1 ranked under-20 competitors in the country, while Jackson MacKay (decathlon) and Erika Lealess (400m) will also be in the mix for a world spot in Peru.
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