Versatile brothers from St. Louis are phenomenal athletes, role models
- Jeanelle Mandes | October 15, 2014
Two step-brothers from St. Louis have competed together in the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) this year and both have won hard earned medals in athletics.
Jerran Vandale and Calvin Napope both are 14 years old in grade 9 and attend the St. Louis Public school together.
Vandale won three gold and one silver medal at NAIG in discus, shot put and javelin. Napope won six gold medals in high jump, long jump and discus.
Napope has been active in sports since he was in grade 4 playing school track and softball. For the past two years, he competed in the Saskatchewan Indian Summer and Winter games. He says he trains by himself and sometimes with his brother Jerran.
Both athletes look up to their coach, Rick Ronning who trains them during and outside of school.
“I have been these two boys’ track and field coach as well as basketball coach for over two years. Since the boys were between grade 6 and 7 I have been working with them,” says Ronning in a written statement. “In basketball, they are stars,” he adds.
Ronnings says both boys have competed for Saskatchewan this year at the Western Canadian Track and Field Championships where Vandale won the silver medal in shot put being edged out by 6 centimetres. Napope won gold in long jump, silver in high jump and a bronze medal in discus.
Aside from their coach, the boys have role models that they look up to help that fuels their drive for success.
“My school has a history of good athletes like Richard Pilon who went to play in the NHL. And another guy named Colton Parenteau whose holding the world record for bench press right now,” says Napope. “There are other people out there that tell me what to do and what not to do like my grandma,” he adds.
Vandale’s inspiration doesn’t come from other athletes but someone in his family who is close to his heart.
“I look up to my grandpa as my role model because he’s never really mad, he’s always happy and he’s a hard worker,” he says.
Vandale doesn’t see himself going further with his interest in sports. He hopes to work in the mines after he graduates high school. His message to the youth is simple but straight to the point.
“Never give up on your dreams,” says Vandale.
Napope hopes to attend university in Ontario to become a teacher and come back to his homeland to coach for his community school.
His advice to the youth is to continue trying hard in your abilities.
“Don’t give up because you never know what you’re going to do in your life,” says Napope.
The St. Louis brother’s have dreams of reaching further whether if it’s sports or career wise, no wonder they are looked at as role models in their hometown.