10/20/2020

Gauthier Selected as Recipient of Athletic Performance Training Grant

We’re pleased to share that we’ve selected Carson Gauthier of Sacred Heart Catholic School as the first ever recipient of the Erion Insurance Athletic Performance Training Grant. A succeeding Track and Field athlete, Carson is striving for academic excellence with hopes to be accepted into a Space Science-focused university.

A message from Carson:

“I would really like to thank Erion Insurance for providing the strength training scholarship. Because of their generosity, I now have the ability to focus specifically on becoming a stronger and more competitive athlete. I have grown up knowing that academics must always be a focal point for me and I’m happy to say that last week I was selected as the valedictorian for the graduating class of 2020 at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Chippawa. School will always be a priority as I would one day like to get involved in space science and engineering.

Track and Field has also become a passion for me, and I have had some fantastic experiences over the past year in the sport. Between July 2019 and Sept 2020, I have had the opportunity to win nine provincial gold medals, set three all time provincial records, and was named Athletics Ontario’s under – 14 athlete of the year in 2019. More recently, I set the under-15 Ontario javelin record and have achieved the Canadian National standard for discus, javelin, high jump, 100 meter hurdles, short put and the pentathlon. What I am most excited about right now is becoming a part of the Iron Performance community where I will be learning how to improve myself for the coming season.

Thank you again for your generous donation and I look forward to being an active Iron Performance member.”

Q: What are your athletic and educational goals, post high school?

A: Academically, I am focused on achieving the grades necessary to be accepted into a space sciences focused university. Athletically, I have challenged myself to become a national champion in track and field within the next five years. I believe I have the support and dedication necessary in achieving this goal.

Q: How did you find your sport and what drives you to excel at your sport?

A: I found my sport almost by accident. Originally, the majority of my time was committed to football and volleyball however when a concussion limited my ability to play football, I picked up track and field at school. It was during a local school track and field competition when the coach of Thorold Elite Track Team (Steven Fife) asked if I would be interested in coming out to a practice to give javelin a try. I didn’t know much about track and field outside of what we were doing at my school but was interested in finding out. Soon after I decided to compete as part of Thorold Elite group, I discovered I was competitive in a number of events. Ever since then track and field has been my passion. Javelin, high jump and hurdles are what I enjoy most, and pole vault has recently become one of my new favourite events despite not having had the ability to compete yet.

We’re wishing Carson all the best, and look forward to following along in his athletic and academic journey!