Layla Staats - January 16, 2001
This week's "Athlete of the Week" is Layla Staats, a grade 11 student at North Park Collegiate who trains at the United Wrestling Club. She has been working for the last 4 years with her coach Mark Harvey who introduced her to Olympic Freestyle Wrestling. She has been consistently winning her events while gaining strength and confidence in her sport.
In grade 8 she won gold at the Brant County Elementary Schools championships, and the Eastern Canadian Elementary Schools tournament. In grade 9 she won the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association's Provincial title for grade 9 and grade 10 students. She then placed 3rd at OFSAA competing against athletes who were ages 14 to 20 and won silver at the Canadian Nationals that same year. In grade 10 she won both OAWA and OFSAA, competed at the Ontario Winter Games and the Nationals winning gold at both events. This season in grade 11 she has already won 3 gold medals and looks forward to competing at the Junior Provincials later this year. Layla is also a straight A student and is admired by her teammates and coach as a true natural athlete.
Congratulations Layla, follow your dreams. |
