Class 2012: Mark Gaudry overcomes adversity to become elite gridiron star (video)

Today, CFC shines the spotlight on class 2012 star receiver from the Sir John A MacDonald Flames, Mark Gaudry. Mark’s football career began with the peewee Timberlea Titans.

Mark Gaudry

Positions:
Receiver, Slotback, Special Teams

Height/Weight:
5’10, 160 lbs

Teams:
Sir John A MacDonald Flames (high school)
Timberlea Titans (peewee/bantam)

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
McMaster, Queen’s, Western

Class:
2012

At the age of twelve, Mark played for the peewee Timberlea Titans. While playing at that level for two seasons, the Titans won a Tier 2 championship and were finalists of the Tier 1 championship. When Mark made the move to the bantam level, the Titans were semi-finalists and the standout was team offensive MVP.

The graduating receiver enjoyed great success during his playing time with his high school team, the Sir John A MacDonald Flames. In 2010, the team reached the Tier 1 provincial championship finals. Mark was a huge reason for the Flames breakthrough season. This past year (2011), he was named team MVP and was selected to the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League(NSSAFFL) Scotia Division first all-star team in the receiver position.

In his rookie campaign with the Flames, Mark faced a challenge early on with a medical ailment. A week before he was set to play in his first high school game, the star receiver was hospitalized with a blood, bone and muscle infection.

Ultimately, Mark was unable to play for five games. The standout overcame the adversity he faced when he returned onto the field.

“I went from 150 pounds down to 125 pounds in less than a week,” explains the Flames receiver, who participated in the Football Canada Cup as a member of Team Nova Scotia. “After that, getting back in the game was hard as I was smaller and weaker, but in time I got back into the game and started for 5 games, including our winning stretch to the 2010 provincial finals.”

One of Mark’s greatest motivators in all football and academic endeavours has been his father. Not only does his father ensure that he gets to the gym, but also is a driving force in Mark being able to maintain a high academic standard.

“He is hard sometimes, but he knows when he has to be and when he doesn’t,” adds Mark. “He makes me into a better person and football player every day, and though right now my future is in the air, when I am older, I wouldn’t mind being like him.”

Not to be left out, the Flames standout acknowledges the key role his mother has in his life.

“My mom is always there for me no matter what it is I need, she’ll always do whatever she can,” says Mark. “She always puts me in the best position and I couldn’t do any of this without her.”

Aside from football, Mark is a competitive skier. Most recently, he participated in the Alpine Skiing competition at the 2011 Canada Winter Games, where he ended up in 19th place.

“Skiing and football have always been big in my life, but this year I have decided to focus on next year and my dreams of further myself in football, playing at the university level,” comments the star athlete.

The one thing football has taught Mark is to never give up in any endeavours he does pursue on and off the field.

“No matter what happens, only you can do what you want to do,” explains the Flames graduating receiver. “I have always had to work hard in the offseason because I am smaller than most players, so I have to make up for it in strength and speed, and that what others take for granted, I use to help get better.”

Flames head coach Alan Wetmore says Mark is a dependable receiver who taps into his strengths to achieve the desired results on the field.

“He is an excellent pattern runner who has soft hands and always seems to
come up with the ball no matter what the coverage or the challenge,” adds Wetmore, who has coached the standout throughout his high school career. “He is a versatile athlete who kicked the ball, returned the ball and caught the ball.”

Aside from his style of play, Mark has appealing leadership qualities which would benefit any future teams.

“A captain who displayed great leadership qualities of hard work and consistency,” comments Wetmore. “He is working hard in the off season and would be a great addition to any CIS team.”

“I am looking forward to see what happens for him in the future.”

Video of Mark’s Football Highlights:

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