Athlete of the week: Mark Cheek

Mark Cheek is a well-known and admired para-athlete from Huntsville High School, who has been running his way to the finish line on the school’s track and field team. He has also found success on the HHS Nordic ski team and the Special Olympics Muskoka cross-country ski team in the winter.

“Mark is incredibly competitive, very athletic and works hard in races,” said his HHS track coach Catherine Smith.

Cheek was recognized at the Huntsville High School Athletic Awards Banquet on Thursday, June 13 with the Special Olympics Olympian award for 2018-2019. His fellow athletes cheered as he received the award, knowing how hard he works in all of his sports.

At this season’s Track and Field meets in May, Cheek ran great races at the Para GBSSA Championships in the Boys ID (intellectually delayed) category. He placed first in both the 100m and the 800m race, which qualified him for the Para OFSAA Regionals in Oshawa.

Mark Cheek running in the 800m at the Para GBSSA Championships in Midland (above left) and with his first-place medals for both the 100m and the 800m (supplied)

At the Para OFSAA Regionals, Cheek pushed past the other racers to win the 800m. He also took fifth place in the 100m, just missing the qualifying cut off for OFSAA.

At the OFSAA provincial championships in June, Cheek ran with strength and won his first heat to qualify for the 800m finals, where he fought hard against the other racers for fifth place.

“It was a blast to watch,” said Smith.

Cheek said that the competition was fierce but he had a great race nonetheless, finishing with a time of 2:28.12.

Cheek has proven that he really likes to win, but at any of his competitions he always has a great attitude even if he doesn’t make it onto the podium. He always makes people smile and laugh.

“He congratulated the others who had beaten him, and acknowledged that ‘you can’t win every race’,” said Smith.

Cheek dedicates his success to all of the great coaches that he is surrounded by.

Smith agreed with Cheek. “It was my pleasure to accompany Mark through the track and field season,” she said. “It wouldn’t have happened though without the effort of the huge group of coaches that support the HHS athletes in this sport.”

Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free newsletter here.