wi~w~ p ~bEsDÀYAtXGVr'7, : 6.151 By Chris Bovie Scattered pools of water cover the track, as membors of the,,Durham X-L's track and field club begin another tw-orpracti-ce session.. Spra acroés the lanes atOs da'Civic. ils are the outstanding athletes who represent the increasing accomplish- monts of the club. I one lane stands a young publice school student,, a raw talent waiting to, be moulded by fthe pr r hands into a frdale competitor. On the other side, taking their lanes, are- two of Canadas top juniors: ~ Andy Brereton and -Jason >Bruml%,, track 'stars - Bruznley Brereton, .Jaso BaccMhih and Adrian M'DY BRERETON Woodley - are aIl members of the 'X-L's all with 'the abihity to miake the - national junior team. S Brereton, ranked fifth in SCanada in the long jump and also with the potenià aI ta b. a force in sprinting, * moyveu with cousins Sam. andBrian Davis to the pit 'M"Pn rafiked number one» in the triple jump," à , acknowledges Samn Davis of Pickering, intent on * ~ cousin s limeýioeht. Brereton t«1es it all in e~ tride«, smiles and walkS "Pin Ind of lazy," JONBRUMLEY cofeses Brerton la, hter fromhispers. train, and the X L'a give you that puali ta make you want ta train." Wbile the jumpr woek over technique, Bacchiochi and Brumley run laps together. The two Henr Street Higli School hurdlers are inseparabile, fueled by an internai competitivenes that ha psed each ta niany gold medal performances. ah athete trains wvith different goals. ossm diverse talents. But it i. the Durham XL'. club atmosphere that is providing each with an opportumity, The two Henry Street Hiigli School hurdlers are inseparable, ueo by an interna) competitiveness that lias pushod oach ta many gold modal prfiorMancs. Each athlete trains with different goals, possessing diverse talents. But it is the Durhiam )XLs club atmos,phore that is providing each with an opportunity, an impetus to go farther. When Andy Dyont of Brooklin decided ta start up a club 12 years ago, lie enflisted the ho) p of coaches Curtis andCÇyriSahadath. Working with a total of about 30 athletos their firet season,,the =Ls now number about 300 menibers. Dyment saw the potential within the youth ADRIAN WOODLEY talent love) in Durhiam Region. I I t -we, could go beyonid the' Durham> championaipe" Dyment said. It started stictly with, cross country running. Now the XL' have teains for track< and f!Ied, wrestling and- volleyball and are looking toad basketball'. Getting members involved when they're Young is the whole key to a 'rW. ofr rrthe*top siMx )iids and even tiose who, didn't perbapo ;-,un well wsyDyment. Moréthin luat selid coaching and I-ýhe XL'. Dment, who Works ýfor the- Durham Board of Education, seelcS out and finda the young talent that niight otherwise.end upunrealized. Without scouting at the public achool love), the talent pool1 is limited for national and international events. "Dyment deserves a lot of the prai..," saysCril1 Sahadath. "Ho provides a .trong effort in the ,public schools., You have- to have asomeone< who can feed the systiM." .,Kids are learning mà ore about the XL'. a the teain' success mounts each season. .Workingwith athletes aged nine to* 19, the coaching' staff lias.grown.alongwith the athletes. Former Olympian (1976) Ian, Scale. works with the track specialiats while Brad Norris trains the jumpers. Erin Breaugh lias joined the XL'. and works with the throwers. The rewards of liard training in the X-L's sytem, may be self-developinent, porsonal bests, provincial or, national rankings, friendahips, or just a' sense of belonging. No matter what the area of endeavour- or commitment they are ,youth Who, are- encouraged, by peers or toac x to 'XLtthe beet of their abilities. OMrs Bovie ptosn *a~ *.a....I r ~' J . 4.. q 'g,' . 'J. - ý# g . . .,' t, Wï jf r : ' ý 'e 1 ý à K ,