Shattered dreams
How one young man never gave up
Fifteen-year-old Cale Hernandez had his heart set on competing in the BC Summer Games this year but when he broke his ankle he thought his dream would never come true.
The Summer Games are held every two years. Track and field athletes have to be either 14 or 15 years old.
"Cale is 15 years and this year is his only chance," says mom Silvana. "Next time he will be too old."
Cale had an excellent year in 2009. He led in overall points and won the award for run, jump & throw for male athlete age 14 in the Vancouver Island Athletics Association Island series. He was ready for the 2010 season.
After competing in his first track meet in 2010 in Sydney (April 17 & 18) his results looked promising for being accepted to the Vancouver Island Zone 6 Summer Games Team in many events.
The following weekend Cale had a soccer tournament with the local under 16 team on Salt Spring Island. In the final minutes of the last game Cale was tackled and broke his ankle.
"We caught the next ferry to the Vancouver Island where he had surgery. They inserted two pins to keep the bone together while it healed," said Silvana.
Cale was told he would be in a cast for at least six weeks. He would be unable to compete in the Summer Games Trials in Nanaimo four weeks later.
"I was really disappointed," said Cale. "I'd been looking forward to it and training for it."
"We all thought that this was the end of his dream of competing in the 2010 Summer Games," said Silvana.
Cale's parents learned there was a possibility of getting a "medical dispensation" for the Trials and if his previous results were good enough Cale could still qualify for the Games in some events.
"We applied for the dispensation and sent all required enrolment forms and fees for the games," said Silvana.
The week after the Nanaimo Trials it was announced that Cale qualified with his times for the Javelin, 200m and 300m. But there was a catch... Cale needed a doctor's note by July 2 verifying that his ankle had healed enough to compete.
"Cale got his cast removed after five weeks and was told the bones had healed perfectly. That gives him seven weeks to rebuild the muscles and mobility before the BC Summer Games in Langley from July 22 to 25," said Silvana.
He has a lot of support from Lorne Morrow at Avid Fitness, the physiotherapist at the hospital and massage therapy at Malaspina Massage. Coaches Ron Hollingsworth and his father Alan Hernandez are helping Cale realize his dream.
Cale is confident that he'll be able to compete in javelin but he's not sure he'll be able to do the sprint events.
At the Duncan event June 12 he finished second in javelin and third in shot put and discus, achieving personal bests in all three events.
Cale has a long road ahead to be competitive in his running events but he is focused and determined to do his best at the Summer Games.
