Derek Quick - May 6, 2004
This week's TCO "Athlete of the Week" is Derek Quick, a 12-year-old Grade 6 student at St. George German School.
Derek's passion is competing in triathlons. In 2003, he was the provincial champion in Midland in the 10 to 11 age group. He placed first overall in Ontario in the Ontario Association of Triathletes (OAT) Kids of Steel (KOS) series in 2003. In 2002, he was tenth and in 2001, he placed third.
In 2003 alone, Derek placed first in nine of 12 triathlons he participated in, and had two second-place finishes. He already appears to have a terrific triathlon career under his belt.
Derek has been with the Brantford Track and Field Club since 2001. He received the Gross Craft Trophy for best performance in non-track in 2003 and the Mannen Trophy for outstanding road runner in 2002. Many times, Derek has placed in the top-three in his age division in road races across southern Ontario. His personal best time in 2003 for the 5km distance was 19:43 and 41:32 for the 10km distance.
He has been running in the Brantford Classic every year since he was five-years-old and has been chosen to compete for Brantford in track and field at the Children's International Games in Cleveland this summer.
Since the age of seven, Derek has also been a member of the Brantford Aquatic Club, swimming competitively since he was 10. He received gold time-off awards in 2003, 2002, and 2001, silver in 1999, and bronze in 2000. He also began coaching swim school in March 2004.
Derek has been training in karate at Don Warner's Martial Arts Academy since the age of seven. He currently holds a blue belt and, in the future, hopes to achieve his black belt.
This outstanding athlete is a great student and also participates in many intramural sports at his elementary school.
Congratulations Derek and good luck! |