Alexandre-Aimée Baker
Special to the Tribune
At just 10 years old, West Nipissing’s Léa-Rose Génier is making local sports history with a flawless cross-country running record, finishing first in all 10 races she’s competed in so far. A student in Verner, Léa-Rose swept all four of her cross-country meets this past season while balancing a demanding schedule as a player for the U11 AA boys’ North Bay Trappers hockey team. Powered by the incredible stamina developed on the ice and a natural gift for running, she continues to dominate the trails with remarkable consistency, all while keeping a quiet, humble attitude toward her extraordinary streak.
“Léa-Rose was really happy and proud when she crossed the finish line at each race,” her family shares. “She isn’t one to make a big deal out of her accomplishments, even when we’re bursting with pride! Despite her success, she didn’t necessarily expect to win all four races this season. She simply goes out there, gives it her best, and enjoys competing.”
What makes her running record even more impressive is that Léa-Rose doesn’t follow a formal training regimen outside of school, save for a few casual runs around home for fun. Instead, her high-level cardiovascular endurance stems from her primary athletic passion on the ice. Her weekly schedule usually consists of three hockey practices, a dryland training session, and games on weekends.
