Walstra took aim at Junior World Cup

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

Strathmore’s sharpest shooter just returned from her first international trip as a member of the junior national air rifle team.
Sam Walstra learned she qualified for the national program late last summer after her performance in Cookstown, Ont. earned her a spot on the Junior National Air Rifle 10-metre team.
After practising all winter and going through the rigours of team trials to find out where she fit within the national program, Walstra boarded a plane June 22 for Frankfurt, Germany, with the final destination of Suhl, Germany, for the International Shooting Sport Federation Junior World Cup with the nine other competitors on Team Canada.
“It was an amazing experience to represent Canada at an international event. Germany was great, but the competition was pretty challenging. In the end, it was a fantastic trip,” said Walstra, who will be entering Grade 12 at Strathmore High School next year.
Germany may be on the bucket list for many world travelers, but Walstra and the Canadian outfit didn’t have much time for sightseeing.
Walstra was all business and hit the range June 23, two days before the competition.
“Getting out to the range a couple days before the event was really helpful. Most ranges I compete at are indoors and this one was outdoors,” said Walstra. “The biggest difference was having to adapt to wind conditions, which was tricky. Luckily, the wind was pretty calm when I competed.”
After one more trial run, Walstra donned the red and white Team Canada shirt and coat for the first time and was ready for the main event.
“I couldn’t stop smiling when I put the coat on for the first time,” said Walstra. “A lot of work went into this and it was great to finally get underway.”
Nearly 150 competitors lined up in Walstra’s field, with only the Top 10 qualifying for the finals.
After one round, Walstra was well back of the qualifying group but still managed to record a personal best. Her round lasted 60 shots at a target. What she was left with was a score of 597.0 and a 138th ranking, well above her average score of 580.0.
“I placed a little low, but it was a new personal best for me and that’s all I could ask for. In preparing for this event, our coaches didn’t set goals like making the finals or bringing home medals, they just wanted us to perform up to our abilities and then some,” said Walstra. “There were Olympic-calibre shooters in the event, so I was satisfied with how I finished.”
Learning what it takes to compete internationally was just one of the eye-opening experiences the local product took in last week.
“That was the furthest I have ever travelled with for a trip or for a competition. It was a little freaky at first doing it by myself, but it helped to be surrounded by a great group of teammates and coaches,” said Walstra.
With zero knowledge of the German language, Walstra took photos of menu items and showed the waiters her lunch selection. She also used her phone to help navigate the streets of Suhl.
Returning home where she knows what items are on the menu and how to get to the shooting range, Walstra is already preparing for next season.
The Junior World Cup was the year’s season-ending tournament. Walstra would love the opportunity to compete again on the world stage.
“Shooting is all about technique and being able to repeat my shot over and over again,” she said. “That’s what I’ll be doing this summer, working and practising. Hopefully I can perform well enough to make it back to another big competition.”