Get to know 2017 OFSAA 800m Champion Aurora Rynda

Ontario Federation of Secondary Schools Athletic Association, otherwise known as OFSAA, hosts one of the biggest high school track and field meets in North America. There are three rounds of qualification before admittance to the big meet which takes place on the first weekend of June. Qualifying for, and doing well at the meet is a big goal for many high school athletes. Many of Canada’s best track and road athletes like Justyn Knight and Andre De Grasse began their careers at OFSAA.

This is the beginning of a series to acknowledge and get to know some of the young talent that are doing big things in the sport of track and field. We will feature an athlete from each of the six regions of Ontario, and learn about what track, and OFSAA, means to them.

Aurora Rynda of Toronto, Ont. is a grade twelve student at Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute. Rynda is graduating in a few weeks and has committed to the University of Michigan for the fall of 2018. The University of Michigan has a strong Canadian connection, having both Canadian 1,500m record holder Kevin Sullivan, and two-time Olympian Nicole Sifuentes on their coaching staff.

Ten questions with Aurora Rynda:

What is your favourite part about the sport of track and field? The competitive aspect and the ability to test my limits. Also, I love spending time with my teammates. 

What are your goals for this year? The OFSAA 800m record is 34 years old, and close to my personal best, so I’m hoping to break that record this June. And my goal for the summer is to hopefully make the World Junior Championships, and qualify for the final there. 

What is your favourite pre-race song? I actually don’t listen to music that much before I race, but I guess it would be “Lose Yourself” by Eminem.

What is the ideal post-race treat? Mint-chocolate chip ice cream in a waffle cone. 

Who is the coolest running celebrity? I can’t pick one, it’s between Melissa Bishop and Genzebe Dibaba.

Who is your favourite running buddy? My teammate Hayley Walker who is also graduating this year and attending Vanderbilt University in the fall. 

How did you find the sport of track and field? In grade two a friend of mine asked me to join the track team with her because she was the only girl. I reluctantly joined, but then started having fun and haven’t stopped since.

What is your best track and field memory? In the 2016 800m final at OFSAA my teammates and I swept the podium. That was really cool. 

What is your favourite piece of running gear? Weirdly, I love good running socks. New Balance light weight socks are my favourite.

If you could run in any place in the world where would it be? On the coast of Australia somewhere, by the ocean and probably make a stop for a swim at the beach.