Exceptional Year for Ultra Throw Youth Athletes

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Celebrating Ultra Throw’s Rising Stars: Impressive 2024 Results for Our Youth Athletes

What a year it has been for our young Ultra Throw athletes!

Our 12 dedicated youth members have achieved impressive results across national and regional stages in 2024. These young competitors have shown outstanding talent and commitment, securing top spots in Canada and beyond.

Here’s a look at the athletes who raised the bar in their respective events:

Top National Standings

  • Lexa Maver (2012) – Javelin (400g): #1 in Canada with a throw of 24.26m. Leading the pack, Lexa’s dedication and form set her apart as the top-ranked athlete in the country.

  • Vanessa Debanks (2010) – Discus (1.0kg): #2 in Canada, throwing 30.10m. Vanessa’s strength and precision landed her among the best in the nation.

  • Tatyanna Stevens (2009) – Discus (1.0kg): #3 in Canada with a 33.53m throw, plus #9 in Hammer (3kg) with a solid 41.31m throw, showcasing her versatility and strength.

  • Megan Teolis (2009) – Hammer (3kg): #3 in Canada with a powerful throw of 48.73m.

  • Jaanib Tatlay (2007) – Shot Put (5kg): #4 in Canada, launching the shot an impressive 16.14m.

  • Angelica Thiessen (2009) – Hammer (3kg): #5 in Canada with a throw of 44.44m, also ranked #10 in Javelin (500g) with 31.10m.

  • Dianna Debanks (2011) – Javelin (400g): #10 in Canada with a throw of 20.99m.

  • Waris Marwaha (2013) – Shot Put (2kg): #10 in Canada, achieving 8.40m.

In British Columbia, several of our athletes demonstrated their prowess:

  • Meagan McKay (2007) – Ranked #4 in BC in Javelin (600g) with a throw of 28.40m and #5 in Heptathlon with 3,566 points.

  • Kailey McKay (2007) – Ranked #5 in BC in Javelin (600g) at 28.01m and #7 in Heptathlon with 3,134 points.

Some of our Youth athletes stand with masters athletes at our Club Championships in 2024

And representing us on the international stage:

  • Mihaila McField (2013) – Competed at the 2024 US Pacific Northwest Regionals (Junior Olympics), bringing home a bronze medal in the 9-10-year-old girls' Shot Put (2.73kg) with an outstanding 8.15m throw. For context, this would have ranked her as the best in Canada with the 2.73kg shot!

Honourable Mentions and Regional Highlights

In British Columbia, several of our athletes demonstrated their prowess:

  • Meagan McKay (2007) – Ranked #4 in BC in Javelin (600g) with a throw of 28.40m and #5 in Heptathlon with 3,566 points.

  • Kailey McKay (2007) – Ranked #5 in BC in Javelin (600g) at 28.01m and #7 in Heptathlon with 3,134 points.

And representing us on the international stage:

  • Mihaila McField (2013) – Competed at the 2024 US Pacific Northwest Regionals (Junior Olympics), bringing home a bronze medal in the 9-10-year-old girls' Shot Put (2.73kg) with an outstanding 8.15m throw. For context, this would have ranked her as the best in Canada with the 2.73kg shot!

Congratulations to All

These results demonstrate the dedication, skill, and resilience of our youth athletes. They continue to make us proud, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll accomplish as we enter 2025. Congratulations to each and every one of you—you’ve shown the heart and strength that define Ultra Throw’s next generation!

An Epic Weekend at the Gold Medal Hammer Camp

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Photo opportunity! Megan wearing the olympic gold medals with our olympians: Camryn, Rowan and Ethan. (Ultra Throw)

This past September 19-20, Ultra Throw athletes had the privilege of attending the Gold Medal Hammer Camp, hosted by BC Throws Project and BC Athletics—a true highlight for anyone passionate about the sport. The weekend was packed with incredible insights, guidance, and hands-on training from some of Canada’s top throwers, making it an unforgettable experience for all.

In attendance from Ultra Throw was Robbin Whachell, Shawn Stevens, Megan Teolis and Angelica Thiessen.

Megan and Angelica speak to the olympians and request autographs (Photo: Ultra Throw)

Meet & Greet with Olympians: A Night to Remember
The weekend kicked off with a Meet & Greet and Q&A session at Trinity Western University in Langley. We had the incredible opportunity to hear from Olympians Camryn Rogers, Ethan Katzberg, and Rowan Hamilton, who shared personal insights into their journeys and training philosophies. A standout moment was learning about Ethan Katzberg’s training regimen with his coach, Dylan Armstrong—highlighting the level of discipline, technique, and persistence required to reach the top.

Megan in the circle (Photo: BC Athletics)

Clinic Day at McLeod Athletic Park
The next day, we headed to McLeod Athletic Park for the hands-on clinic portion of the Gold Medal Hammer Camp. Although the weather was a bit wet, it didn’t dampen the spirits of UltraThrow athletes or the seasoned BC athletes who know how to power through! Dylan Armstrong, along with Camryn, Ethan, Rowan, and the dedicated crew from BC Athletics, led an impactful day of drills, throwing techniques, and individualized coaching, providing UltraThrow athletes, both young and experienced, with invaluable tips to refine their hammer throws.

angelica in the circle (Photo: BC Athletics)

A Huge Thanks to the Team
A heartfelt thank you to Dylan Armstrong, Camryn Rogers, Ethan Katzberg, Rowan Hamilton, and the whole BC Athletics crew for organizing such a memorable camp. This weekend reinforced why we love the hammer throw—its challenges, rewards, and the incredible community that supports it.

We’re beyond grateful for the opportunity to learn from the best. Here’s to applying what we learned, training hard, and reaching new heights!

Coach Dylan Armstrong explains technique and Ethan Katzberg demonstrates in the circle. (Photo: Ultra Throw)

Megan and Angelica were two of our youth athletes in attendance. (Photo: Ultra Throw)

2022 Ultra Masters All Canadian Throws Awardees Announced

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Ultra Throw is proud to announce the Ultra Masters All Canadian (UMAC) Throws Standards recipients for 2022!

"Each February, Ulta Throw searches the previous year’s results of all Canadian throwers from age 30 and up,” said the founder of Ultra Throw, Dave McDonald. “The list of throwers who have achieved these high standards of excellence has been compiled. We applaud you!"

"This is a club venture and is not done in conjunction with BC Athletics or Athletics Canada. It is our way to promote the ‘throws’ and to bring recognition to the many great Master throwers. It does not matter if the throwers are own Ultra Throw members, British Columbians, or from any other province in Canada – whether you live here or abroad. These performances deserve to be recognized.”

View results HERE.

In addition, if you are on the 2022 or 2021 list of athletes who have achieved standard(s) and wish to receive a ‘certificate of achievement,’ send an email to Dave McDonald (ultrathrow@gmail.com) and a pdf of a personalized certificate will be emailed to you free of charge. See the example below.

Questions? Email Dave McDonald at ultrathrow@gmail.com

Ultra Throw Club Releases Standards for Canadian Throwers

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Ultra Throw is proud to present UMAC, the Ultra Masters All Canadian Throws Standards!

“Each year on February 1st, our club will search the previous year’s results of all Canadian throwers from age 30,” said the founder of Ultra Throw, Dave McDonald. “The list of throwers that meet the standards will be announced each year on ultrathrow.com.”

The list for 2021 Canadian throwers who have achieved these high standards of excellence have already been compiled. You can find them on our website today HERE.

"This is a club venture and is not done in conjunction with BC Athletics or Athletics Canada. It is our way to promote the ‘throws’ and to bring recognition to the many great Master throwers (does not matter if these throwers are Ultra members, British Columbians, or from any other province) in our country whether living here or abroad. These performances deserve to be recognized.

In addition, if you are on the 2021 list of athletes who have achieved standard(s) and wish to receive a ‘certificate of achievement,’ send Dave McDonald (ultrathrow@gmail.com) an email and a pdf of a personalized certificate will be sent to you free of charge. See example below.

Questions? Email Dave McDonald at ultrathrow@gmail.com