Dean Ellenwood doesn’t have to look far for role models or motivation.
Older brother Stuart runs cross-country and track for the SFU Clan while middle sister Georgia is one of the top heptathlon athletes in Canada as well as a member of the University of Wisconsin track and field teams.
She is in South Korea, representing Canada at the FISU World University Games in South Korea.
“They have both been very big influences, especially my sister, seeing all the teams she is making,” said Dean Ellenwood, the youngest of the three.
And while Georgia may be the most recognizable of the three and cast a big shadow over her brothers, that is no problem.
“It is also very motivating to see how much fun she has and how hard she works to make these teams,” Dean Ellenwood said.
“And I want to do the same and follow in the same path.”
And that is exactly what he is doing.
The 17-year-old is set to represent Canada at the world youth Games in Cali, Colombia in the 800m event.
He is one of two Langley athletes — the other is 15-year-old Megan Champoux — who made the Canadian roster.
The youth championships are for athletes 17 and younger.
The Canadian team leaves for Colombia on July 9 and the Games run July 15 to 19.
“It was my main goal this year,” Ellenwood said.
“Ever since I started track, it has been a dream for me and this is just the first step for bigger things as well.”
To qualify for the Games, an athlete must be ranked first or second across the country in their respective event.
Ellenwood qualified after completing the 800m in 1:51.78 at the Harry Jerome Classic in Burnaby on June 8. This came just a few days after he won silver in the event at the B.C. high school track and field championships in a time of 1:55.73. Ellenwood also won bronze in the 400m at the championships.
At the Harry Jerome Classic, Ellenwood shaved .30 seconds off his previous personal best.
“I judge my race how the first lap is and when we came around after the first lap, I saw it was a fast time and I was going from there,” he said.
But even after posting that time, there was still the waiting game to see if someone else across the country was able to better the time. Finally, on June 22, the final Canadian roster was announced.
“The focus and commitment Dean has shown over the last couple of years has been phenomenal,” said Dwayne Lotnick, Ellenwood’s coach with the Langley Mustangs Track and Field Club.
“He listens to everything you say and works extremely hard.
“Hard work plus talent, it is hard to beat that combination.”
Ellenwood has run track since he was nine, but put the sport on the back burner to focus on soccer. He was a midfielder playing for Coastal FC in the EA Sports B.C. Soccer PRemier League until he quit soccer two years ago.
“I am more excited than nervous because I have been training for this,” Ellenwood said about representing his country.
“I am not too nervous right now but probably will be when I step onto the track and see all the people.”
Ellenwood’s only goal is to run his best in Colombia.
“Mostly, I am just looking for a PB,” he said.
“I am going to take it one step at a time. The ultimate goal is (to make the finals); that would be amazing.”
Ellenwood enters Grade 12 at Langley Secondary in the fall and he is aiming to secure a Division 1 scholarship for his post-secondary career. He is also hoping to qualify for the world junior championships next summer.
