Yukoner Jessica Frotten passed over for Paralympic team - Action News
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Yukoner Jessica Frotten passed over for Paralympic team

Jessica Frotten had high hopes that she'd be part of Canada's Paralympic team in Rio this summer. 'I definitely have some things to think about,' she said.

'I need to take a little time off, I think,' says wheelchair racer

Jessica Frotten, who lost the use of her legs after an automobile accident in 2009, competes at the Parapan Am Games in Toronto last year. She won two medals there. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press)

Jessica Frottensays she's ready to take a bit of time off from racing, after learning that she won't be going to Rio as part of Canada's Paralympic team.

The team was officially announced on Thursday, but theWhitehorse athlete saysshe found outa couple of weeks ago.

"I wasn't exactly a shoo-in, but I thought I was lookingI thought I was going," Frotten said.

"I definitely have some things to think about."

Last summer,Frottentook home two bronze medals from the ParapanAm Games her first major international eventand narrowly missed winning a third. She won her medals in the 100-meter and 400-meter wheelchair races.

She also competed last year at theInternational ParalympicCommitee(IPC) World Championships in Qatar.She was the onlyNortherner on the team.

Frotten said this year has been tougher for her.

"I had a really good start out to my season, and I should have finished a little stronger," she said. "I maybe lost my focus a little bit at the end."

Frotten said when she started racing, it relieved stress, but lately "it's become more of a stressor."

"I do love racing, I just... I need to take a little time off, I think. My body needs it."

With files from Dave Croft