BRUNSWICK

The London Summer Olympic games are on the horizon, with opening ceremonies scheduled for July 27 as the best athletes in the world will compete for Olympic glory.

Across the pond and much closer to home, the USATF National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships will be contested in Baltimore on July 23-29, with one Mid-coast region athlete making the trip and hoping for a little glory of her own.

Lexie Bernier, a soon-to-be freshman at Brunswick High School, recently qualified for Nationals, placing fourth in both the discus and shot put at the New England Regionals in New York.

Come Tuesday, Bernier will march alone into Hughes Stadium on the campus of Morgan State University, thinking about Thursday when she will send the shot and discus flying.

“It is great to be able to make it to Nationals and see what happens,” said Bernier.

“Lexie will be one of the top freshman throwers in the state next year,” said Brunswick Junior High School track coach Dan Dearing. “She has the potential to become one of the top throwers at Brunswick High School and will make an immediate impact on the team.”

A big disappointment

As a seventh-grader, Bernier qualified for regionals in both events. However, an injury kept her from participating.

“The injury happened a few days before I was to leave for New York,” remembered Bernier. “I made it through states in the shot put and discus, but a few days before I left, I dislocated my kneecap while cheering.”

Following in brother Scott’s (a sophomore at BHS) footsteps, Bernier took up throwing at an early age.

“I tried running and jumping, but failed at that, and my brother did throws in middle school, and I got into it and thought it was neat,” said Bernier. “It looked like a lot of fun. At practices, if I am doing something wrong, he will come up and try to get me mad, and that makes me do good.”

Bernier enjoys the social aspect of track.

“All my friends are there, and you get to practice and talk to your friends, plus everyone cheers you on,” said Bernier.

Once hitting junior high, Bernier began dominating.

“Lexie was the top girls thrower on the junior high team and in the Andy Valley League during her seventhand eighth-grade seasons,” said Dearing. “She has been determined to improve her technique in all of her events.”

During this past season, Bernier established personalbest throws, launching the shot put 32-06 and the discus 79 feet.

“Toward the end of the spring season, she began working with the spin technique and has now added several feet to her discus throw, putting her at nearly 80 feet,” added Dearing.

“Throws have a lot to do with strength, but you have to know how to throw it by using your technique,” said Bernier. “I am better at shot put, but I love discus because you never know where it is going to go. I have hit the judges table before, which is embarrassing, but the exciting part of the event.”

In New York, Bernier’s shot put (30-11) and discus (71- 02.75) throws were not her best, but still good enough for fourth, with the top five moving on to Nationals.

“My mom (Jill) was crying,” said Lexie, recalling looking at her mother, who was holding up four fingers to signify fourth place and a trip to nationals. “I was more worried this year because I didn’t want to hurt myself.

“There were a lot of girls in New York who threw some real bad ones, and then they throw one that goes a long way. One girl fouled her first two throws, but her third one went over 32 feet. That happens.”

Expectations?

“I hope I place, but there are a lot of good athletes at Nationals,” said Bernier. “I think I’ll do good, but I don’t think I will place. Either way, I won’t be sad because it is great knowing that I am a junior Olympian.”

Lexie will be joined on the trip by her mother. The family is scheduled to hold a car wash fundraiser at the Pizza Hut off of Bath Road from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. All money donated will be used for Bernier’s travel and hotel accommodations.

Those wishing to donate can call 837-5753.