Hes a lot of fun to coach because he loves what hes doing

Lori McKay - The Weekly News
A Grade 7 Dartmouth student's name is now on a trophy that also bears the names of Olympic paddlers, as well as many other accomplished local athletes.
Jack Leahy, 12, was recognized recently for winning gold in single canoe racing (C-1), as well as two (C-2) and four person racing (C-4) at the end of season Atlantic Division CanoeKayak Canada regatta on Lake Banook.
The Senobe paddler was also awarded the Robert Billard Shield, which is given each year to a Peewee-age paddler who has accumulated the most points during the season in sprint competitions.
His championship wins netted him four trophies that carry a lot of history in his community.
"It's a big accomplishment," said Leahy.
"All kids like to win and get medals and trophies, but it's not just the racing he enjoys - he enjoys the entire sport," said Rob Baert, head coach for Senobe. "Jack likes the Monday to Friday practicing too. He's a lot of fun to coach because he loves what he's doing."
Leahy, who started paddling three summers ago, said it was a nice surprise at the end of the season.
"At the beginning of the summer I never would have dreamed I'd be winning the C-1," said the athlete.
And there's little doubt how serious he takes the sport.
Last summer he trained about four and a half hours a day, most of which was at Senobe. And after saving all his money for the past few years, he bought his first canoe at the end of August. The boat, which has J. Leahy on the side, is stored at Senobe.
Jack plays Peewee AAA hockey for the Dartmouth Whalers and is on the Eric Graves Junior High Hockey Team.
"He's already setting goals for his paddling for next summer and can't wait to get on the water again in the spring," laughed his mother Ann.
"Jack is hard working and committed. We're in hockey season now, but come May, it'll be paddling and dry land training every day."
The Robert Billard Shield bears Andrew Russell's name from 1995, who went on to compete in the C-2 event in the Beijing Olympics; and Richard Dalton in 1991 who went on to win bronze medals in world championships in 2002 and 2005 and competed here this year at Canoe 09 on Lake Banook.
The C-1 trophy displays Steve Giles' name from 1984, who won the gold in C-1 at the world in 1998 and bronze in the 2000 Olympics, among many others.
"Jack has a lot of potential," said Baert. "He's really good with the other kids and very focused. He does well in all sports, so it's no surprise he does well in canoe and kayak."
lmckay@hfxnews.ca