Ernie Bauchman

Born in Centerlea on May 3, 1936, Ernie Bauchman attended high school at BRHS and became a very well known Nova Scotia track star in the mid -1950s.

Ernie was a strong middle distance runner who competed in the 440 yd., 880 yd. and the Mile. He was also an accomplished hurdler and a key member of the 880 yd. and Mile relay teams. At the 1953 Acadia Relays Provincial Track and Field Championships, Ernie gave notice that he was about to be recognized as an up and coming force on the provincial track scene. Ernie placed second to teammate Lloyd Robinson in the 440 yd., was a member of the 880 yd. relay team that placed second and a member of the mile relay team that won the day and set a new provincial record in the process.

At the 1954 Acadia Relays, Ernie excelled. He won the Provincial Championship in two distances, the 440 yd. and in the mile.

Ernie made another very strong showing at the 1955 Acadia relays. He won the Provincial Crown in the 880 yd. and then won the mile where he set a new Provincial record of 4 minutes, 35.8 seconds.

At the 91st running of the Antigonish Highland Games Ernie once again rose to the challenge in one of the day’s most exciting races. In the Senior Men’s 880 yd. final, Ernie and fellow Bridgetown athlete Lloyd Robinson were locked in a tight battle right down to the wire, where Ernie edged out Robinson and took the victory by a narrow margin.

In 1956, Ernie was selected to compete in the Canadian Junior Track and Field Championships being held in St. Lambert, Quebec. In a very close race, Ernie placed third and won the Bronze Medal. In a rare sports moment, all three of the top finishers in that race had beaten the previous National record.

Ernie was also selected as a member of the Nova Scotia Junior Track and Field Team to take part in the Canadian Olympic Training Program in Toronto. This was a five day clinic for coaches and athletes followed by a track meet for the nation’s top athletes.

Following high school, Ernie joined the Air Force where he continued to compete in Track and Field and enjoyed continued success in many middle distance races and in the relays.

In a community that has long been renowned for its track and field programs, Ernie Bauchman will be remembered as one of Bridgetown’s truly great track athletes.