A grade six student at Ecole Publique Franco-Nord in Azilda, Cloe Lacasse is rapidly making a name for herself in more than one sport. In addition to being a key member of Frank Malavaso’s ’92 Sudbury Canadian girls, Lacasse is busy preparing for her first trip to the Junior National Taekwondo Championships.

A member of the Chelmsford School of Martial Arts for the past five and a half years, Lacasse picked up the sport very quickly. “By the time I had my yellow belt, I started doing tournaments” she said. “I like sparring better than anything – I think I learned the kicks and I move my body well” she noted in explaining her rapid progression.

In just her first year at black belt, the eleven year old Azilda native qualified in the flyweight division at the provincials in Kitchener. On the Canada Day weekend, Lacasse will be one of the numerous competitors from across the country taking part in the Canadian championships in Edmonton, Alberta.

A very natural athlete who admits to spending an inordinate amount of time on her trampoline “just jumping”, Lacasse hopes to continue in both soccer and TKD for some time still. “Tae kwon do is mostly a winter sport and I can play soccer in the summer” she says, noting that the martial arts training has even helped her soccer game.

“I think it really helps my kicks” she laughed, after recently scoring on a penalty kick in a competitive game. And she remains quite focused on her goal heading West – “just win…concentrate on making sure I hit the dots on the chest protector!”