Cameron Mattice - Andre De Grasse - Tony Sharpe
Fuelling the Need for Speed Featured
TQS Transformation is proud to support The Speed Academy Athletics Club in their efforts to train and showcase young Canadian Track and Field athletes. Among the many talented young athletes within the Speed Academy family, TQS Transformation took a moment to catch up on the accomplishments of sprinter Andre De Grasse from Markham, Ontario.
Andre De Grasse, 18, recently competed at the 2013 Junior Pan-Am games in Columbia where he captured two medals - a silver medal in the 100m and a bronze in the 200m. While he carries himself with the quiet poise of a seasoned athlete confident in years of success on the track, Andre only started competing in organized track in June 2013.
Tony Sharpe, head coach of The Speed Academy, first met Andre during a high school meet at York University last April. “I saw this guy at the start of the race. While everyone was getting ready in their blocks, he started the race standing upright,” Tony shakes his head and laughs along with Andre as they remember the young man’s inexperience at the time. Despite the rocky start, it didn’t take long for Tony to recognize his talent. “He left everyone else behind. I knew I could help him train better so I gave him my card.”
Within three days, Andre started working with Tony at The Speed Academy. And by the end of the season he earned a scholarship to Coffeyville Community College in Kansas.
In addition to his success at the Pan-Am Games, Andre was the 2013 Canadian National Junior Champion in the 100 m and 200 m, and is the Canadian Junior record Holder for the 100 m at 10.25. He also ran a record wind-aided 100 m at 9.99.
Windy or not, Andre’s speed on the track is catching notice. As he enters his second year of college, several major NCAA DI universities have expressed interest, including: UCLA, University of Alabama and Florida State University.
Despite his recent successes and the promise of great things to come, Andre seems content to take one thing at a time. “I never thought I would be doing what I am doing right now,” he says with amazement. When asked about future plans on the track, his feet remain firmly on the ground.“Basically, I just want to make my family proud and get an education. Then in the long run maybe pursue this more professionally, but only after I complete my education.”
It sounds like Andre is well on his way to achieving his goals. According to Tony: “Andre is the most talented sprinter I have ever seen.”
