I got the chance Thursday to see just where Tricia Madourie stands when it comes to being recognized in the city.
While doing an interview with the two-time Canadian U20 high jump champion, as she was working at the RDP kids basketball camp this week, she was asked for her photo while I was doing the interview.
She had to laugh when I mentioned that’s what happens when you’re a star.
And no doubt she’s a star.
Madourie captured the U20 title in Montreal at the Canadian National Track and Field Championships.
It was anything but easy as she needed to show her mental strength as much as anything to clear the 1.77 metre height.
She missed the first two jumps and needed to make the third or it was a second-place finish.
“I had to lock in pretty hard,” she said. “I stepped back and looked at the tape, took a breath and told myself I had to do it. I took a good stride and was over the bar so easy.”
She then easily cleared 1.79m, which gave her the championship. She then tried for a personal best 1.82, but came up a bit short.
“My PB is 1.80 (set earlier this year winning in Calgary) so I gave it a try,” she said. “But it wasn’t great.”
But while she would have liked to go a bit higher, she’s ecstatic with the result
“It’s very special,” she said. “A two-time national champion in Canada, an amazing feeling … two in a row that’s crazy.”
The amazing part is that Tricia has only been involved in the sport for a short period of time.
She got involved in high school with the urging of Kathy Lalor. She competed for Lindsay Thurber as well as the Red Deer Titans Track Club. She went on to win the provincial high school title in 2023 and the Alberta championship which saw her advance to the Nationals.
“Really, all totalled, I’ve only been training for five about months. I’m definitely looking forward to see what the future brings now that I’m going to be more involved,” she said.
The near future sees her compete this weekend for the Titans in Calgary. She’s then off to Manitoba to compete for Team Alberta, then it’s the World Championships in Peru at the end of Aug.
“We leave Aug. 23 and back on the first of September,” she explained. “I’m so excited to see how other people are doing. My personal goals are to finish in the top 10, or maybe higher, and to set a PB.”
Unlike last winter, when Madourie played for the RDP Queens basketball team, this winter will see her train full time under the guidance of Titans.
“I didn’t have the time to train last winter, but I’m glad I played with the Queens for a year. I met a lot of great girls and it was a lot of fun.”
But this winter will be different as she takes time off from her studies to “focus on track and earn some money.
“I hope to get a (track) scholarship, so I can use that money t help with that,” she said.
“I’ve been offered scholarships from the University of Alberta and Calgary, but haven’t decided yet. I will be in contact with the Calgary jump coaches this weekend so who knows.”
She indicated Queens basketball coach Avery Harrison has sent information about her to Arizona and UCLA.
“That would be amazing to compete for a NCAA Division I school. It would be great to train outdoors all winter … I do hate the winters,” she said with a laugh.
Harrison also talked with her about her future earlier in the year.
“He told me if I could see my future in track, not basketball, to go for it and that’s what I did. Track is my first option.
Tricia is consistently moving up with her results, but knows it’ll take “a lot of work and training.
”Personally I know I can jump higher, it’s a matter of technique … to master my knee drive and over the bar rotation. Also, weight training to get stronger … more power and endurance.”
Tricia won the U20 title, clearing 1.79m, while the Canadian senior champion finished at 1.87m. Just last weekend, Yaroslava Machuchikh of the Ukraine broke the world record, clearing 2.10m.
“That was incredible,” said Madourie. “She’s tall, which I feel some girls have an advantage over me as I’m just five-foot-seven, But I’m still young (19) and still learning and have years and years ahead to train to see what I can do. Hopefully, I see myself in the Olympics four years from now.”
Who knows but she could add a second, or a third event to that resume.
She competed in the long jump at the 2023 U20 Nationals, placing fifth with a PB of 5.57 after winning the ASAA title.
Tricia will compete for Team Alberta in the long jump and 100m in Manitoba.
“The 100 is somehting new … something exciting,” she said.
She may also compete for Team Canada in long jump and the 4x100m event in Peru.
“I will also get an opportunity to train while there,” she added.
She’ll be busy and no matter what Tricia does it will only add to her recognition.
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame who can be reached at danrode@shaw.ca
