A worthy leader of the pack

November 12, 2004

A worthy leader of the pack

by Keri Irwin

	A focused Janice Ashworth runs towards another personal best. (Pearse)

Janice Ashworth brings new meaning to the familiar phrase globe trotter. Running is one of Ashworth's passions, a passion that has taken her throughout Canada, the United States of America and as far away as Italy - not bad for a sport she just took up three short years ago.

Driven by internal rather than external factors, Janice looks within for her determination and drive and focuses on surpassing personal bests with all she endures. With her eye always focused on the next goal, Ashworth successfully completed the prestigious Integrated Science Program, only 80 accepted each year, and is now channeling her efforts into a demanding double major program - International Development Studies and Environmental Science.

Her desire to make a difference in the world was one of her reasons for attending Dalhousie. With a desire to spend a semester abroad, Ashworth was pleased to learn that Dalhousie had a very well organized program that allows her to study in a foreign country while still earning credits towards her degree.

On November 14, one day after she competes in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Finals, Ashworth embarks on her next adventure, one that she hopes will "rock her world" - an exchange to Malaysia. In addition to taking courses in tropical science, Janice hopes to get involved with the local community and tie development into running. Her goal is to offer a running program to young women in an effort to build their self-confidence and empower them.

This second-year Tiger from Dunrobin, Ontario, competes in Cross Country and Track and Field and was ranked 2nd among female runners in Canada last year, an honour that landed her at the World Cross Country Championships last spring.

Leading the pack, Ashworth remains undefeated in every Canadian event she has entered this year including the Atlantic University Sport Championships and is well on her way to qualifying for the next year's World Championships in Algeria.

Motivated by "the extent to which you can push yourself" and the high caliber of athletes prevalent at Dal has inspired Ashworth. She runs because she loves running and is not caught up in the desire to win. Her long term goals, health willing, will have her running into her 70 and 80's. Ashworth will compete with her fellow Tiger teammates in the Canadian University Sport Championships in Guelph on November 13 - for results go to www.athletics.dal.ca.

Ashworth is just as accomplished academically, despite missing two weeks during finals to compete in Italy, she finished on the Dean's list and is one of 50 athletes being honoured for her accomplishments at the Academic All-Canadian Luncheon on November 23.