It appears that an already strong track and field program at Lo-Ellen Secondary will get another solid addition to the ranks in 2006. Thirteen year old Ross Proudfoot, who currently attends Jessie Hamilton, is looking to follow in the footsteps of his older brother in joining the Knights roster.

Proudfoot will complete his elementary track career in the spring, coming off a very solid final cross-country season after finishing second in the Senior race in Falconbridge before capturing gold at the season-ending event at Jessie Hamilton.

He first took up athletics in Grades 5 and 6, starting as most do with the sprint distances. “It wasn’t until I finished first at a race in Falconbridge that I found out I was pretty good at this” said Proudfoot humbly.

And with this revelation has come a more serious approach to his running. “I would maybe go out 3 or 4 times a month before – this year, it’s been at least a couple of times a week and I’ve done some 5 km and 6 km runs” admits the Grade 8 student.

Also involved in both soccer and hockey, Proudfoot admits he looks forward to hooking up with the sporting tradition at Lo-Ellen. And he will begin his high-school career already having started to hone his race strategy skills. The well-spoken teen noted that he learned from his race in Falconbridge.

“I thought I gave the leaders too big a lead – this time, I started in 4^th or 5^th but not more than 20 metres or so behind and made my move in the last fifth of the race” explained Proudfoot.

The competition is clearly an element that Proudfoot enjoys as he looks forward to renewing his on-going rivalry with Taylor Tate at the secondary school level next year – hopefully as a member of the Lo-Ellen Park Knights.