Memorial Track & Field Athlete Shae LeDevehat competed in New Brunswick last weekend at the AUS Track & Field Championships. Shae secured a gold medal in the pentathalon event earning herself a spot to compete at the USPORTS Nationals in Saskatoon, March 9th-11th. LeDevehat is a native to Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and is currently a 4th year Mechanical Engineering student at Memorial. When asked about her experience at the AUS Championships Shae said, "I had a great experience at AUS. Last week’s snowstorm definitely threw our travel plans for a loop but I am very thankful that I, as well as my teammates, were all able to still travel to New-Brunswick to compete. The track and field complex in Saint John is my favorite indoor facility to compete on to date, so I was very excited to be heading back there for my third AUS Championships".

Shae was seeded first headed into the championships, when asked about her thoughts when finding out she had won gold she remarked, "I was in second place going into the last event of the pentathlon, the 800m. The 800m is one of my higher scoring events so I knew I had to stick to my race plan and stay focused to come away with the gold. When I found out I won gold after the 800m I was very excited. Being injured at last year’s AUS Championships, it was a very rewarding feeling to know that all of the work put in over the last year training, and ensuring I stayed healthy, had finally payed off".

As a varsity athlete you work tirelessly to not only train for your sport but also maintain your academics as well, there are many people to thank for help in these areas. Shae notes, "There are so many people I have gratitude for. MUN varsity athletics for their support, profs for being super flexible and my support both on and off the track. Special thanks to my team of track and field coaches: Jennifer Stender (sprints/hurdles), Mark Miller (mid-distance/hurdles), Nick MacLean (jumps), George Stanoev (throws), Kathryn Bautista (jumps). I would also like to than those who helped me off the track: Evan Constantine (strength), Dr. David Hancock (sport phycology) and Krista Mullaly-Dobbin ( athletic therapy)". As Shae heads west this week she noted that this is her first USPORTS Nationals and she is very excited to make the most of the experience. "I want to be a positive representative for MUN Sea-hawks, and just take it all in. I am hoping to improve on my personal best pentathlon score from AUS and also improve my national ranking (currently 9^th)". 

The Sea-Hawks community would like to wish Shae the best of luck at USPORTS and throughout the rest of her career.

Story by: Kelli Slaney

Photo by: Udantha Chandaratne