Press Release – Former ASAA athletes competing in Sochi 2014

Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association
Tel: 780-427-8182
Email: info@asaa.ca

 
FORMER ALBERTA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES REPRESENTING CANADA AT SOCHI 2014

EDMONTON, AB (January 24, 2014). With the final members of the Canadian Olympic team being announced over the past week, the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) congratulates all of the Olympic Athletes, especially those who were once high school student athletes in Alberta. Of the 47 Winter Olympic athletes who were either born in Alberta or now call it home, 11 of them participated in school athletics when they were in high school. “Considering that none of the 12 ASAA activities are sports in the Winter Olympics, these outstanding Albertans who are representing their country at the 2014 Winter Olympics  have demonstrated the benefits and transferability of skills and training that comes with being a multi-sport athlete” said John Paton, Executive Director of the ASAA. The following list, in alphabetical order, shows the ASAA high school sporting involvement of those 11 Olympians:

Bryan Barnett attended Jasper Place High School in Edmonton where be joined the school’s Football team in 2003 and 2004 and the Track & Field teams in 2004 and 2005.  Bryan proved to be a track power house, attending the ASAA Track & Field Provincial Championships both years, he brought home 3 medals each year.  In 2004 Bryan finished in 1st place in the 100 m and 200 m sprints and was part of the Gold Medal 4 x 100 m Intermediate Boys Relay team.  Bryan matched his hardware in 2005, bringing home another 3 Gold Medals in the Senior Boys 100 m, 200 m and 400 m events. Transferring his power and running skills from the track to ice, Bryan now competes on the Canadian Men’s Bobsleigh team. This will be Bryan’s debut at the Winter Olympics, but to no surprise this track star had previously attended the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008.

David Bissett attended McNally Composite in Edmonton where he competed in Track & Field in 1996, 1997 and 1998, and attended Track & Field Provincial Championships each year competing each time in the Boys 4 x 100 m relay.  In 1996 David and his team received a Silver Medal for their 2nd place finish, but David returned twice with something to prove taking home the Gold in the next two years in the same event. David’s sprinting background prepared for his current position on the Canadian Men’s Bobsleigh team. This will be David’s second trip to the Winter Olympics Games after winning Bronze at the Vancouver 2010.

Anastasia Bucsis attended Bishop Carroll High School in Calgary where she participated on the School’s Cross Country team in 2004.  She is now putting her endurance skills to good use in her second appearance Canada’s Long Track Speed Skating team in the Winter Olympics after debuting in Vancouver 2010.

Jenny Ciochetti attended Strathcona High School in Edmonton where she competed on the Track & Field team in 2000, 2001 and 2002.  Not only did Jenny attend Track & Field Provincials all three years with the team, she medaled each year.  In 2000 and 2001 Jenny was part of the Gold Medal 4 x 100 m Relay teams, and in 2002 she branched out and won the Gold Medal in the Senior Girls 100 m sprint. Jenny is now a part of the Canadian Women’s Bobsleigh team where she puts her sprinting skills and pure leg power to work in her Olympic Debut.

Chandra Crawford attended Canmore Collegiate where she competed in Cross Country and moved onto Provincial Championships in 1998 and 1999; in both years Chandra placed 4th in her event. This will be Chandra’s third appearance at the Olympics, after previously winning the Gold Medal in the free sprint at Turin 2006 and competing at Vancouver 2010.  Now competing for the Canadian Olympic Cross Country Skiing Team Chandra continues to demonstrate the same endurance and determination required as a Cross Country Runner. Chandra will be sharing this Olympic experience with her sister Rosanna – who was also a high school student athlete – for the second time.

Rosanna Crawford attended Canmore Collegiate where she competed for the school Volleyball Team in 2004 and their Track & Field team in 2006.  No stranger to the mountains or the Olympics, Rosanna now competes for the second time on Canada’s Olympic Biathlon team and will be sharing the Olympic dream with her sister Chandra again.

Jamie Gregg attended Ross Sheppard High School in Edmonton where he joined the school’s Volleyball team in 2003, turns out Volleyball is another interest for this Speed Skating family.  Jamie continues to compete for the Canadian Long Track Speed Skating team in his second appearance at the Olympics and will be travelling to Sochi with is sister Jessica.

Jessica Gregg attended Ross Sheppard High School in Edmonton where she joined the Track & Field Team in 2004 and followed in her brother Jamie’s footsteps and joined the school’s Volleyball teams in 2003, 2004 and 2005.  A very well rounded athlete, Jessica, a silver medalist in Vancouver 2010, now competes for Canada’s Short Track Speed Skating team and will be travelling to Sochi with her brother Jamie.

Roz Groenewoud attended Queen Elizabeth High School in Calgary where she competed on the Track & Field team in 2005, 2006 and 2007 in Pole Vault. All three years Roz advanced to Provincials and took home a Bronze Medal in the Pole Vault event in 2006. Roz has proven how comfortable she is in the air and continues to defy gravity on Canada’s Freestyle Skiing team in her Olympic Debut.

Taylor Henrich attended William Aberhart in Calgary where she participated on the school’s Cross Country team in 2010. Taylor now makes her debut at the Olympics on the Ski Jumping team, the same year her event debuts in Sochi.

Atsuko Tanaka attended high school at Ernest Manning in Calgary, here she joined the school’s Track & Field team in 2007.  As Women’s Ski Jumping makes it Olympic debut, Atsuko joins the event in making her own debut on the Canadian Olympic Ski Jumping team.

Heidi Widmer attended Banff Community High School where she joined the school’s Cross Country team in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and the Volleyball Team in 2006.  Heidi now put her Cross Country running experience to excellent use as she makes her Olympic debut on the Canadian Cross Country Skiing team.

Neville Wright attended Jasper Place High School in Edmonton where he competed for the Track & Field team in 1997, and advanced to the Track & Field Provincial Championship the same year on the Edmonton Junior Boys 4 x 100 m relay.  The team brought home the Gold Medal; the same year, now teammate David Bissett competed in and won the Intermediate Boys 4 x 100 m relay.  Neville is again only meters away from teammate David as they compete together on the Canadian Men’s Bobsleigh team. Neville is a two time Olympian, having previously competed in the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.

(While we have searched our databases, yearbooks and records intensely, if you know of any other Canadian Olympic Athletes who are Alberta high school sport Alumni, please contact the ASAA office so we can share their story: 780-427-8182)

ASAA wishes the athletes above and all of Canada’s Olympic athletes good luck as they travel to Sochi, Russia and represent Canada.