Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/109181
Students Build a Winning Program Wearing bib number 1530, Gabriela Stafford became the 2012 OFSAA Senior Girls' Cross Country champion in November 2012, as well as TFS' first champion at that level. OFSAA brings together the top student athletes from across Ontario, and Gabriela took home the gold among a competitive group of more than 220 girls. A few short weeks later, Gabriela finished 4th in the Canadian U20 Cross-Country race in Vancouver, qualifying for a spot in Canada's national team; she's off to Poland in March for the World Championships. The win was even more gratifying, as it was under Gabriela's initiative that TFS started offering cross-country beyond the Under-14 level. With approximately 20 TFS students now satisfying their need for speed, she's set the bar high for her successors. One of these up-and-comers is her sister, Lucia, already a provincial club champion, who finished an impressive 21st in the 2900m OFSAA event, Gabriela and Lucia Stafford despite a fall during the race. Level IV students Ellen Soberman, Hugo Tang and Max Fleming joined the team and are all hoping to come back for an even stronger 2013 season. Ellen, who didn't consider herself much of an athlete, started running to try something new and found the sport personally challenging. "Now I realize I have some potential!" she laughs, and shares that the experience gave her the courage to try out for and earn a place on the senior girls' volleyball team. Hugo joined the team so he could train for a half-marathon, but was drawn in by the self-directed practices. He fell in love with "the basics of running, because you don't even need shoes, you can just go and run." For Max, running is a family affair. He and his father, a retired OPP sergeant, enjoy entering 5K fundraising races. "I have a busy life," he explains, "and when I run, I have time to think and reflect." Gabriela and Lucia's mother, María Luisa Gardner, was a teacher and coach at TFS, who passed away in 2008. Her legacy to the girls includes setting the groundwork for re-starting the senior cross-country team; with the help of Ernest Tucker, cross-country coach, and Mr. Turner, TFS entered the races it needed, to see that the senior team was established. With the momentum of this year, cross-country is sure to have a lasting place on TFS' teams. Senior Div III Boys Soccer Champions Winter 2012 Spring 2012 Fall 2012 CISAA U10 Div II – Boys Basketball – Gold CISAA U12 Div II – Boys Basketball – Gold CISAA U14 Div I – Girls Volleyball – Gold CISAA Rhythmic Gymnastics – Champions CISAA Artistic Gymnastics – Champions CISAA Overall Gymnastics – Champions OFSAA Sport Aerobics – Silver CISAA U14 – Swimming Overall – Silver CISAA Senior Div II – Girls Soccer – Champions CISAA Senior Div II – Coed Ultimate Frisbee – Champions CISAA Junior Track & Field – Girls U14 – Champions – Girls U10 – Champions – Overall Gold OFSAA Track & Field – Gabriela Stafford 1500 m & 800 m CISAA Senior Div III – Boys Soccer – Champions CISAA U11– Girls Basketball – Champions CISAA U12– Girls Basketball – Champions CISAA U16 – Boys Volleyball – Champions CISAA U13 – Boys Soccer – Champions entre nous 15