Dave Ogilvie
Former Emo resident Alexa Winik has achieved the kind of success that’s only dreamed about by most young athletes.
The 18-year-old freshman track star, the daughter of Joe and Tricia Winik, recently set several individual records while helping her Cedarville University track team win another National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) indoor track national championship.
Winik, born in Hamilton, spent part of her elementary school years at Donald Young in Emo before moving on to the Maranatha Christian Secondary School in Windsor, where she was a member of four-consecutive SWOSSAA ‘A’ track-and-field championships.
Winik’s personal athletic achievements are extensive, which include being named the Windsor-Essex Sports Person of the Year (WESPY) and also her high school’s Athlete of the Year in her senior year.
The Cedarville athlete grew up playing team sports and didn’t really take track seriously until she got to high school.
“I went to a small school, and the only sport we were good in was track,” Winik explained.
Winik’s success during that first year of high school track, plus the encouragement of an excellent coach who pushed her to become even better, helped her develop a passion for sprinting and set the stage for future achievements.
Winik also was inspired by her trip to China, site of the 2008 Olympic Summer Games, where she and nine other Canadian student athletes experienced the sights and sounds of the world’s most prestigious sporting event.
She was chosen as a member of this group because of her high academic standing, her participation in a variety of extra-curricular activities, and her extensive community service.
As well, she was required to write a letter explaining why she wanted to go on the trip.
“It was so amazing; it was an experience of a lifetime,” Winik enthused.
Her choice of Cedarville as the next step in her academic and athletic development was somewhat accidental. Winik had never heard of this particular university until a friend of hers attended a soccer tournament at Cedarville and her father researched the school on the Internet.
The choice obviously was a good one for this young athlete.
In her first university indoor track season, Winik set three Cedarville records and was named the NCCAA outstanding performer of the meet for the national championships.
“I had no idea coming into this season how I would do,” she admitted. “I had some goals for myself that I wanted to meet.
“I just let the rest fall into place.”
Her success surpassed even her expectations. Not only was Winik named an NCCAA All-American, but she also finished just outside the All-American status for the NAIA national championships.
“Alexa has done very well. She is a tough competitor, and a gifted athlete who has worked hard to develop her talents,” Cedarville track coach Jeff Bolender said of Winik.
Although she runs several events, Winik’s favourite is the 200m because it is not quite as “painful” as the 400m.
Winik also enjoys running relays, especially the 4×400, which she says usually includes an exciting finish.
In her short track career at Cedarville, Winik has set many records and enjoyed a great deal of athletic success.
And the good news for students, staff, and fans at this Ohio school is they will have three more exciting years to watch this Canadian champion!
