This multi-sport athlete has a bright future

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/04/2018 (2818 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Bridget Smith is a 15-year-old Kelvin High School student who operates at a high level in all of the sports she enjoys as well as in the classroom, where her average is about 90.

“I really like pre-calculus. I’ve always liked math,” she says. “As long as you can memorize all the equations and calculations then you can solve the problem on your own.”

Diverse might be the best word to describe the athletic interests of Bridget.

She plays a number of sports competitively, including soccer, hockey, volleyball, and track and field.

“I play soccer for Kelvin and am in my second year. I really like to play with the girls I go to school with,” she says. “It’s nice to be able to see them every day. Coach Pineda-Di Biase is very supportive and puts in a lot of effort for our team. She is always very well organized. I play fullback and like when I have the chance to join in an offensive push.

“I play hockey at Kelvin as well,” Bridget adds. “I have played hockey since I was five. I play defence and I like that I can see the entire game from my position. Coach Sirrell always keeps practice fun and interesting.”

Two sports can keep an athlete pretty busy but not so much for Bridget — we still have volleyball and track.

“I play volleyball for Kelvin and also club (volleyball) with the Jr. Bisons. Being a setter you don’t always get the glory, but it’s always nice when your hitter is thankful for a good set,” she says.
Awesome stuff, Bridget. How about track and field?

“I run the 200 and 400 metre races and compete in the triple jump. Track and field is a great way to start my day with training,” she says. “I really enjoy the track community, everyone is very supportive.”

Bridget lives in River Heights with her dad Corey, mom Kerry, and sister Erin.

“There is so much I could say about my parents, all good things,” she says.

“They’ve driven me around for my sports since I was three years old. They give me a great support system and I love them a lot.”

A great support system is so important and Bridget’s mom has a wonderful perspective.

“Bridget has always played a lot of sports because it is fun. She finds so much enjoyment in the discipline of sport, in working hard and seeing improvement, in contributing to a team that is trying to achieve something,” Kerry says. “I love that doing things this way is fun for her. Her dad and I are really proud of her, not only for everything she has achieved but for the way she has achieved it.”

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood is co-host of The Big Show, every weekday morning from 6 to 10 a.m. on TSN 1290 radio. He writes about Winnipeg’s unsung sports heroes every other week in the Canstar Community News weeklies. If you know of an athlete whose story Troy should tell, contact him at: troy.westwood@bellmedia.ca