Nancy MacKenzie

Beginning High School in 1949 Nancy looked forward to Field Day as both her older brother and sister had been active in sports. She vividly remembers her first race which was held on Bishop Street and was rather surprised when she won. With this first win as an incentive Nancy continued to race and was victorious in every race in High School including those at the interscholastic level.

Mr. Gauthier, her coach, made arrangements for the High School to participate in the Meikle Cup, which was held annually in Cornwall and was open to schools in the three United Counties. There was a Junior girls 4 X 50yd relay which her team won and then they won it again for 3 consecutive years.

Later Nancy acquired her amateur athlete card and started competing at non-school meets and did quite well. Nancy was victorious at the Toronto City Police Games and they were considered to be the Ontario Champions. Three weeks later she won in the track meet at the Canadian National Exhibition. Nancy completed grade twelve then went to Toronto where she joined the East York Track Club.

The Club attended meets indoors and outdoors in Toronto, Hamilton, Buffalo, Cleveland and Montreal. Individually she placed third a few times and as a member of the women’s relay won most of the meets. Later she retired completely from running, married and began a career of wife and mother. More challenges!