Brandon Penny joins CBU track and field 

Brandon Penny joins CBU track and field 

Glace Bay product specializes in 400, 800m

By Corey LeBlanc 

Although he has been running competitively for only a couple of years, Brandon Penny has already left his mark on the provincial track and field scene.

The Grade 12 student at Glace Bay High School will continue his development this fall as a member of the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers track and field program.

"I feel so lucky," the 18-year-old says, noting the "tremendous support" he has received from Caper staff – especially head coach John Hudec – and his new teammates.

He adds, "Everyone has been so welcoming – it has been a lot of fun."

Penny is no stranger to the varsity program; he has trained with the Capers since Hudec saw him in action during an Athletics Nova Scotia event two years ago.

Noting that they have "supported me and helped me grow," the student-athlete credits his coaches for their key roles with his development.

As for his early days with the sport, Penny remembers running a couple of races in elementary, and there was one forgettable meet in middle school.

"I finished in last place," he remembers, with a laugh, of that 400-metre effort.

Noting he has "always liked running," Penny decided to return to the track this season with high school team – the Panthers.

"It was cool," he says of having the opportunity to show off his speed.

After racing to top spot in district and regional competitions, Penny garnered strong finishes in this spring's School Sport Nova Scotia provincial meet in Stellarton, making the final heat in both disciplines. He finished fourth in the 400 metres and sixth in the 800 metres.

"I was really pleased," he says.

When it comes to his recent success, Penny notes he focused on "a lot of things," such as flexibility, which included three daily stretching exercises for his hamstrings.

"I wanted to get that full range of motion," he says.

Noting his endurance, which he describes as "pretty good," Penny explains that he continues to work on his speed.

"Nobody is going to outwork me," he offers, when asked to outline some of his strengths.

He also describes his competitive spirit: "I want to win."

"Brandon is very versatile," Hudec says, noting the Capers are "quite excited" about his performances and ongoing improvement.

The CBU mentor remembers initially envisioning Penny as "more of a distance runner." 

"We may to toy with that," Hudec adds of his incoming runner also competing in the 1,500 and 3,000-metre disciplines. 

Describing him as "very coachable," he notes that Penny has been "learning a lot" since he started training with the Capers.

Noting his zealousness, he points out that he and his coaches – at times – have to "slow him down," when it comes to the intensity of his training.

"It is going to be great to see how Brandon develops – he has tremendous potential," Hudec says.

Penny says he can't wait to don Caper orange in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) competition, particularly as a member of the program's 4X400-metre relay team.

While running with CBU, he will also be in his freshman year as a student-athlete in the Bachelor of Science program, with physiotherapy one of the career aspirations on his radar.

"I am not sure yet, but I am exploring all of my options."

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