WATCH: Connor Woods proving strong as multi-sport athlete

To be recognized at the provincial level for one sport is a major accomplishment for a high-schooler — but two? That’s pretty special.

Connor Woods, 15-year-old from Bonnyville, is burning the candle on both ends in football and track and field: named to the Team Alberta roster as a defensive lineman, and now the Athletics Alberta Legion Team in hammer throw, shotput, and discus.

Husband Chad caught up with his Lakeland Yellowjackets and Bonnyville Voyageurs coach Larry Godziuk, as well as Connor Woods.

In the community thanks to Bluewave Energy Bonnyville, Xtreme Oilfield Technology, Caouette & Sons Implements, and Sign Solutions.

Chad: I’m joined alongside Larry Godziuk right now, head coach of the Bonnyville Voyagers and of course, Lakeland Yellowjackets. I was getting there. We’re gonna catch up with Connor Woods. That’s the reason why we’re out here—it’s about Connor Woods. Connor is a multi-sport athlete, football, track. They kind of go hand in hand. Larry, what do I need to know about Connor?

Larry: I started coaching Connor in track about three years ago. He’s been involved in our football programs here since he was young. He showed a lot of throwing, ability in all the different track and field throwing events. So right now he’s doing extremely well in things like hammer, discus, and shotput. He’s a hard worker. He is dedicated. He wants to win and,puts a lot of effort and time into trying to do that.

Chad: Alright, so when you’re coaching these young athletes, ’cause that’s what they are—young men, young ladies—what’s the key to getting through to them?

Larry: Mostly just fear (joking). No, I try to give them as many examples as possible. I use some football examples to transfer over to his throwing in terms of technique. He works a lot with Coach Blake in the weight room, getting stronger so he can throw further. There are some concepts in there, some keywords that I take over from Coach Blake that make sense to Connor. I try to give him as many different examples and helpful tips as I can so that he can wrap his mind around what we’re asking him to do or what he can do differently to do better.

Chad: Okay. Now, Connor’s seeing some early success here in his young career. What would be your advice to him?

Larry: Just keep going. He’s got a lot of potential. I say to kids all the time, I’m not shy to tell kids that they have a lot of potential, or maybe not so much. I encourage them to keep going, but he has a lot of potential to do whatever he wants. Football—he’s going to be an amazing football player. He could continue on in track. He has all the right physics for things like discus and hammer throw. That’s going to be up to him how far he wants to take it.

Chad: Well, enough talking about him. Let’s go talk to him. Thank you very much, Larry.

Larry: You’re welcome. Thanks, Chad.

Chad: Connor, how are you doing?

Connor: Pretty good.

Chad: So now, Connor, Larry talking you up, there was a nice intro, and then you walk into fireworks, and there you are. But tell me, how’s the summer been going so far?

Connor: Been going pretty good, doing lots of sports and helping Coach Blake build up his gym that he’s planning to open soon. Still want to do some things for him for making the Football Alberta team and thanks to Larry and Coach James for making the Alberta track team.

Chad: Okay, so let’s split those in two. Let’s talk about the Alberta Football team first. What did that look like for you, and how did the tryout go? And of course, it obviously went well because you made the team.

Connor: Yeah, well, there were three total tryouts. One which started off with over 200, which was brought down. That was just north, 200 north, brought down to the top 80 of the north. After that trial, we went to the top 80 of all of Alberta, and after that, it was the top 40 of all of Alberta.

Chad: Okay, so here you are. What does that schedule look like for you with football?

Connor: Well, I go to Calgary next weekend for training camp with the Alberta team. Then we go to Regina and play a game against BC July 3rd. Depending on how the other game goes and how our game goes, you play another game on July 6th.

Chad: Okay. Now, you’ve been throwing the discus quite far and having some success. Is that the only event that you’re focused on within the track and field site?

Connor: No, my main event would be hammer, but I also do the discus and shot put as well.

Chad: Okay, so explain to me what’s happening on the track side, because you’re having some success there as well.

Connor: Well, we had the competition to make the Alberta team and the Western team, because they take more to Western than Legions nationals. We had that meet a week or two ago, and I’ve qualified for all my events for the national team and made one for the Alberta team with hammer, but I’m still going to be doing discus through them.

Chad: Wow. So, okay. How old are you?

Connor: 15.

Chad: You’re learning a lot at a young age. What do you attribute all this early success to in your young life?

Connor: Well, I’d say a lot of the coaching helped, especially with Coach Blake through all the year he is doing workouts or working on the field, working on small details to get better.

Chad: Gotcha. Okay. Now I got distracted a little bit. Your dad’s wearing an Eagles shirt, a Philadelphia Eagles shirt. I should just end the interview right now. Cowboys for Life. But okay, Connor, so this summer is going to be a busy summer for you. What are you looking forward to the most over the summer? Because you’re 15. I mean, come on.

Connor: Well, football in Regina, track in Winnipeg, and Calgary will be really fun. Probably one of those three things.

Chad: Now you couldn’t get to where you are at this young age without a little help. Mom and dad, of course, your biggest fans. What would you say to mom and dad at this point?

Connor: Thank you for everything, all the work, all the time. Sitting in the stands in the bad weather and driving me everywhere.

Chad: That’s a good start. That’s a real good start. You guys make sure you keep tabs on Connor Woods. We’ll make sure we do our part to keep tabs and keep you guys up to date. We’ll follow up with him here at the end of summer and see how all these track meets went, how football went. But Connor, thank you very much for joining me.

Connor: Thanks for having me.