A Woodland Christian High School grade ten student and Mapleton resident captured gold at this year’s OFSAA high jump competition earlier this month.
The Laurel Creek Track Club product Joel Rumph started jumping at a young age, beginning in grade one.
He says that early start is crucial to his success.
His coach at Laurel Creek Track Club, Chris Timm, said Rumph’s raw ability was evident from the moment he saw Rumph compete at last year’s OFSAA.
Rumph has been training with Timm for about a year with OFSAA gold in mind, and Timm says watching him achieve this goal was a great feeling.
Timm accredits the success of the youth to his mental fortitude and ability to remain calm on a big stage.
This season was one of many accolades for the youth, including a Woodland Christian record-breaking 1.95 metre jump to nab top of the podium when he competed up a level in senior boys’ competition.
Rumph is competing at nationals in Quebec in August.
