It was Brooks Secondary School’s first chance to host a regional track meet in 15 years and the sun shone as brightly as the athletes performed.
About 350 students from 27 schools converged on Timberlane Track Wednesday, May 1, for the North Island High School Track and Field Championships.
Brooks coaches and volunteers worked hard to make the event a success. Kathy Rung, Campbell River Christian School track and field coach, helped by organizing the schedule of events, officials and results.
“We learned a tonne from her expertise,” said Brooks coach Louise Kenning speaking on behalf of fellow coaches Jodi Mastrodonato and Ken Holley.
Al Hernandez from Powell River Track and Field Club helped set up the technical throwing events.
“It truly takes a community effort to pull something like this together,” said Kenning. “This event is a well-oiled machine. Once it got going it was smooth sailing.”
Athletes were permitted to compete in three events and Cale Hernandez took first place in 100-metre sprint, 110-metre hurdles and discus. Calli-Ann Abbott won first place in 200-metre sprint and 200-metre hurdles, and took second place in 100-metre sprint.
Brooks relay teams made a strong showing. The grade eight/nine girls’ 4x100-metre relay team, featuring Bayley Hollingsworth, Sydney Rairie, Claudia Piccinin and Abbott, took top spot with a time of 56.65. The grade 10 boys’ 4x100-metre relay team of Brandon Rairie, Adam Robertson, Chase Krompocker and Blake Paquette, won with a time of 50.16.
Grade 12 Kelsey Lloyd took top spot in shot put when she beat her competition by over two metres.
A number of personal bests were made at the meet. Krompocker set a personal best with his 1.61-metre high jump and Zev Brewer made his personal best in high jump with a 1.5-metre leap. Kyle Slinger had personal bests in his three events of shot put, long jump and javelin.
Brooks’ track team faired well with 13 out of 15 athletes qualifying for the next round of events to be held May 15 and 16 in Victoria. Kelsey Lloyd, Robertson and Cody Jackson all advanced but due to the school play Oliver! they will not be able to compete at the Victoria competition.
