Photo from the University of Windsor website.

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Brett Boersma has plenty to keep him busy ahead of the CFL Draft Combine later this month, as the University of Windsor Offensive Lineman is also a shot putter on the Lancer’s track and field team.

The Ontario Regional Combine is March 17 in Toronto, with an opportunity of earning an invite to the National combine March 23-27.

Although he’s been busy with his second sport, he’s been able to prepare himself for the combine. As far is training is concerned, he says not much changes between the two sports.

“It’s very similar training, it’s all about max explosion, how fast you can be and how strong you are over a short distance,” says Boersma. “The training is pretty similar for both of them.”

Boersma had a solid showing at the OUA Championships, finishing third place with a throw of 15.81m. That is good enough for him to advance to the U SPORTS national championships March 9-11 in Edmonton, less than two weeks before the combine.

Although he plays multiple sports, football remains Boersma’s top priority.

“The track team knows I’m a football guy, so during the football season I’m only focusing on that,” says Boersma. “I chose Windsor for football, and track has just been a huge bonus.”

A graduate of Sarnia’s Nothern Collegiate, Boersma says he first got a taste for shot put in high school when the coach of the football team Craig Davies introduced him to it.

“He coach shot put as well, so that helped me get into it and realize I was pretty good at it,” says Boersma. “I really enjoy spending time with him, he’s really helped me a lot with everything in my life. It’s pretty cool that he was such a big part of my high school career.”

In the past, Boersma says he’s returned the favour, and has helped Davies coach shot put on a couple of occasions.

Boersma hopes to continue the recent success of former teammate and childhood friend Randy Beardy, who was also coached by Davies at Northern. Beardy was drafted by the Ottawa Redblacks in last year’s draft, and joined them for their Grey Cup run at the conclusion of Windsor’s football season.

Boersma says seeing one of his good friends have success makes him all the more hungrier.

“Seeing all the success Randy had this year, it really opened my eyes to what the CFL is, and just talking to him about it makes me want it even more,” he says.

Boersma says he wasn’t sure if he’d even get an invite to the combine.

“I played most of the year on an injured ankle, so I was worried I wasn’t going to have a good year,” he says. “I end up playing pretty well and I’m just really excited I got invited to the combine, and hope to have a good showing there.”

Boersma played for the Sarnia Sturgeons in his early years, and still has one year of eligibility left with the Lancers.

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Here’s the full interview with Brett Boersma: