What was all speculation last week is now a reality for the Tommies’ own Atlantic University Sport track champion.
Jon Gionet took the gold medal in shot put at the AUS championships in Moncton on Saturday with a 14.35 meter throw.
Late in the competition, Gionet’s rival from St. Francis Xavier University took the lead. But in the last round, on the last throw, the Tommie threw a personal best, winning the competition by nine centimeters.
“It was the biggest throw of my career,” Gionet said. “I just lost it.”
The victory makes Gionet the first member of the STU track and field team to win an individual medal at the AUS championships.
It also bumped him up 10 spots in the national standings for shot put, as he advanced from 24th place to 14th.
“I didn’t even realize I had won,” he said. “Then they said the podium ceremony was in five minutes and I thought, ‘I actually did this.’”
Gionet is excited about the win, but he’s not celebrating yet – his sights are set on something greater than the AUS championship.
In less than two weeks he will be in Windsor, ON, for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport national championship – something he didn’t imagine he would accomplish until later in his career.
“My goal for fourth year was to maybe make CIS [national championships],” he said. “To do that in three years is incredible for me.”
Gionet is aiming to make the top eight in Windsor. He feels prepared for the competition – now he’s just playing the waiting game.
“Let’s hope these next two weeks go well,” he said. “Hopefully I can increase my personal best for this season and finish on a strong note.”
