The Telegraph Journal and The Evening Times Globe Saint John N.B., Wednesday, August 21^st, 1985

Athletes who excel in more than one sport usually find that long and strenuous hours of training for high leveled competition limits them to a single sport.

But choosing a preferred sport is rarely an easy decision as Wayne McFarlane of Kennebecasis Park can attest.

When McFarlane was not rowing on the Kennebecasis, River over the past four years, he could often be found playing high school or other organized rugby.

"I have been trying to train for both in previous years. I wasn't quite sure which one I was going to choose."

McFarlane said he was not allowed to compete in both sports at the Canada Games and added that practice and training would have made it impossible to compete in the two competitions.

The 18-year-old rower said he had put a lot of time into rowing and had been getting fairly good results at national championships. But the decision was still tough because his rugby coach, Dave McPherson, said he had a good chance of making the Canadian national team which would include a lot of international travel. Coaches influenced me each way, he said.

"My parents and friends did not try to influence my decision. They talked to me about the pros and cons of each sport but they left it up to me."

McFarlane, who is a strong contender for a medal in the men's pair, men's straight four and men's eight with cox, said he is still following the Canada Games rugby team closely.

"I was at the game last night. I wished I was out there. They have a really good team."

MacFarlane plans to attend Ridley College in Ontario next year, and he said the school has a really good rowing team.

"I am going to try to make the heavy eight. That's what they concentrate on internationally."

Ridley also has a rugby team, but it's the same time of the year as rowing, he said, "I think I'll stick with rowing, but you never know."