Thompson’s year over

The year has officially come to a close for Natalie Thompson. It’s been a crazy schedule that saw Thompson compete both indoors, and outdoors. She finishes the year as the 10th best U-23 Triple Jump competitor in Canada. Her season finished with an appearance at the 2017 Canada Summer Games.

A new experience

Thompson left for Winnipeg three days before she was scheduled to compete. She was able to sneak in three practices while waiting for qualifying. Natalie witnessed first hand some of the most experienced athletes in her discipline sharpen their skills. She also practiced under a different coach while in Winnipeg.

“It was neat to work with another coach, and see their tips, and work with other jumpers not my age, and not girls. It was neat to see all the different [perspectives] and to see the different angles, and how they attack situations. I got to practice on the Winnipeg track three times before I had prelims.” Thompson says of the prep work she put in while in Winnipeg.

Thompson competes in prelims and finals

Natalie managed to jump an amazing 11.62 meters in qualifying on August 1. she was 39 centimeters off of first in prelims, but only nine centimeters off of her personal best. The jump was good enough to get her into finals on August 3. Natalie was a part of a group of 12 girls competing for top spot. Thompson could not recapture the jump in prelims jumping 11.39 meters, and settled for 10th in the finals. The finish will mark an end to an incredible year for the 17 year old from Bonnyville. The 10th place finish awards her the right to be called a top 10 triple-jumper in Canada for the U-23 category.

“I’ve never competed against people that old, and experienced before. I was relieved to have made the finals, and I got to compete, and see them put their full effort in like I did in the prelims and finals. It was neat to have that experience.” Thompson says.

Natalie will now have the rest of the summer off before preparing for her grade 12 year. Her hopes are that both her academics, and her athletics can carry her to the school of her choice following this upcoming year. She will return to compete for the Lakeland Yellowjackets at the Last Chance Track Meet in Edmonton later this year.