A couple of years ago, 16-year-old Nik Kellis barely knew what javelin was. Now he鈥檚 become somewhat of a professional at the sport, breaking records wherever he goes.
鈥淲e did it in gym class for fun because we were doing a track and field unit that week, but I guess I was just good at it and I was having fun with it so I decided to start taking it seriously,鈥� said Kellis.
Most recently he collected a gold medal at the 2016 Midget and Youth Tri-Province Championships, held in Regina, Sask.
Up against 10 other guys from across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Kellis managed to smash the competition, throwing his 700g javelin 49.42 metres.
Overall, out of several sports and age categories, Team Alberta took home the most gold medals.
鈥淚 was pretty surprised that I even made the team,鈥� Kellis said. 鈥淚 just wanted to go out there and do my best, but now after this win it鈥檚 my goal to get even more serious. I鈥檓 planning to train throughout the winter and get on a diet and stuff like that.鈥�
Kellis also added that he might try out for next year鈥檚 Canada Games.
鈥淚鈥檓 still thinking about鈥攊t鈥檚 kind of intimidating because I鈥檒l be throwing a 800 gram javelin and I鈥檇 be up against people who are in their 20s and have been doing this for a long time,鈥� Kellis said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l see what happens.鈥�
Earlier this summer, Kellis also participated in the U-17 male javelin category at the Alberta Summer Games where he also brought home a gold medal for his final throw of 46.5 metres.
鈥淚 was pretty surprised that I beat that record in Regina,鈥� Kellis said.
Unlike many other sports, at Jasper Junior/Senior High School, Kellis doesn鈥檛 have a team to practice with or rely on for support and encouragement.
鈥淚t can be a pretty individual sport, but I really find I鈥檓 competing against myself anyway,鈥� Kellis said. 鈥淚 just want to get better and see myself progress rather than working on beating other people.鈥� 聽
However, after participating in the Alberta Summer Games, Kellis said he met tons of youth from across the province that are also competitive when it comes to javelin.
鈥淚 throw on my own here in Jasper, but I often go to Edmonton to train with those guys. We train really hard together and all push each other,鈥� Kellis said. 鈥淚n some cases we are competing against each other, but we still want to see each other win and succeed so it鈥檚 really good for me to be a part of something like that.鈥�
This fall the teenager is also hoping to get involved with other track and field sports like the hammer throw and discus.
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
