Local swimmer and Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School senior Bella Mastroianni had already given some thought to the possibility of doing a "victory lap", opting to return to high-school for a fifth year of studies.

The current pandemic just moved that thought much more to the forefront.

The 17 year-old product of the Sudbury Laurentian Swim Club and talented triathlete confirmed this week her decision to hold off on committing to a post-secondary institution for the 2020-2021 season.

"It was always in the back of my mind, the possibility of doing a victory lap," said Mastroianni. "But throughout high-school, I remember thinking that I wanted to get school done as fast as I can. Then the whole pandemic hit, and I thought it might be best for me to return."

The opportunity to train one more year under SLSC head coach Dean Henze, the all-too-common uncertainty over a definite line of studies and career path, and the ability to enjoy an extra year of high-school athletics all factored into the decision, beyond the hundreds of questions that were raised by the arrival of Covid-19.

"It looks like next year all universities will be on-line," she continued. "I would rather if my first year was not on-line, I would prefer to actually enjoy my first year in person. The extra year gives me a little more time to think of what I want to do - but I'm definitely a homebody."

In fact, the local swimming rumour mill certainly had Mastroianni leaning towards remaining in Sudbury and joining coach Phil Parker and the Laurentian Voyageurs. "I feel comfortable at home," she said.

 

 

"Staying here at Laurentian, swimming with Phil, I thought, would be a really good match with me, personally. But I am very indecisive. I've been going back and forth."

And with teammate Nina Kucheran continuing to excel at Florida State University, Mastroianni has clearly contemplated at least the possibility of pursuing her swim career south of the border.

"I personally think that whatever best fits you is what you should do," she said. "It's your career, it's your time at university. You don't want to make someone else happy, but then have a hard time going to the States, when you know that staying in Canada may have been a better option for you."

Compounding her particular situation is that Mastroianni could well enjoy greater success, in the long-term, following her dreams as a triathlete moreso than solely as a swimmer. "The ages of twenty, thirty, forty, that's where you see the majority of triathletes," she said.

"In swimming, those ages are considered old. I think as I get older, I will go straight into triathlons. But as of right now, I am still swimming, as I do enjoy swimming a lot, and I do not want to stop."

And for one more year, at least, Mastroianni will compete as a member of the Sudbury Laurentian Swim Club, without having to worry about a dual affiliation with the university of her choice.

 

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Just finished the Defeat Depression Run this morning in perfect running conditions. Grateful to be able take part in this virtual campaign to support local mental health resources as a member of Team Awesome! Tricia

 

 

Post your virtual results!
Girls Run Sudbury has a virtual option! This means you can participate in the event from a remote location and submit your times to appear here in the results listing. Please read our submission instructions if you would like more information.

Post your virtual results!

https://results.raceroster.com/results/5j4ystauw44ngcwu?fbclid=IwAR25SLwKQasRjV6ylZYlWJTgcCWdp8EOG-Rz1GELns4rX2NP3l7pMZAVM7s

 

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‘If it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you’ … well my friend, prepare for change.

On June 13 & 14, 2020, my friend and fellow runner, Mary-Elizabeth Schweyer (Liz), is challenging herself to run 100 miles in 30 hours. WHY?? because she’s crazy LOL, no seriously, WHY would anyone run 100 miles on their own?

As you all know our beloved running events, along with so many others, have been postponed, deferred, cancelled etc., due to Covid-19. Many of us are searching for our reasons to continue to train and push ourselves to stay committed. Liz found her reasons all around her; e-mails postponing her planned running events, 2 young daughters at home trying to reach goals on a new virtual school program and a position as an event planner when all events are to be cancelled.

All the signs indicated ‘stop’, your plans need to slow down however Liz took a different approach, she looked in the mirror, gave a little wink and said ‘stand 6 feet back, here I come’.
She’d run 25 km, 50 km and 100 km and felt that ‘100 miles was the next logical step’. Logical to some perhaps, to others I refer back to the first paragraph:)

Liz knew she wanted to challenge herself and at the same time show her daughters that setting a goal, even if there are obstacles along the way, can be very satisfying and help you grow. She had signed up for the Mad Trapper Backyard Ultra, with a 100-mile goal, well instead of folding she decided to do it in her own back yard. Once that idea was sparked, she realized she could also challenge her community at the same time. Her work as an event planner with NCF, Northern Cancer Foundation, was also fluttering in the covid wind. She realized she had a ‘win, win, win’ situation she could tap into. My Self Isolation 100 Miles and More was a go!! ‘I’ll work toward my goal, show my daughters how adjusting to obstacles along the path to your goal is possible and set up a fundraiser where no one has to physically group together.’

Throughout this Covid-19 crisis, cancer has not self-isolated, it continues to impact and ravage the lives of individuals and their families. The NCF provides financial assistance, along with all their medical support, to individuals deep in the fight for their lives. As an organization relying on fundraising for support, their revenue flow is being strangled due to social restrictions.
There is a community of runners offering to support Liz along her journey, do a ‘loop with Liz’ to help ward off the mental games, the wild imagination that is set free on dark trails at night and to cheer her on as a motivator or the motivated. We will run with her, each contributing support from an appropriate distance, as she runs steady. We will tag team for steps, bring soup and coffee for sustenance and celebrate the miles along the way.

I invite you to join Liz in her effort to show that one person can make a difference. We won’t all run on the day and we aren’t all in a position to share our funds at this time. However, if you are able and willing, please follow the link to Liz’s FB event, send messages to cheer her on and support the fundraiser with whatever you can.
If it doesn’t challenge us, it won’t change us. Let’s join together, virtually, and embrace change.

"My Self Isolation 100 and More" Fundraiser! (https://www.facebook.com/donate/1648202715319248/)

 

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Amber in Attawapiskat

Tony and Sheila biking around Ramsey

Rocks!! around Laurentian

Ania on Loach's

Liz on Loach's

Yves and Patrice on Loach's

Around Laurentian Lake

Bear at Black Lake by Sara and Kate