BC Junior Development Championships signified many a milestone this year for the Powell River Breakers Track and Field Club.
“We’ve been involved in the track club for five or six seasons now and this is the biggest team we’ve taken to provincials,” said parent Traci Abbott.
Twelve local athletes attended the province-wide competition, which was specifically for children aged nine to 13. The meet was held in Nanaimo from July 12 to 14. Powell River attendees brought home 13 individual medals. They also received two medals for relay.
“For our little group we brought, we did quite well,” said Traci, adding that the competition provides the children with an opportunity to run real heats, instead of just timed finals.
Up on the podium, in the 10-year-old boys’ category, Gavin Mastrodonato took home silver for his javelin throw. Teammate Leo Head earned first place in the 800-metre race walk and achieved a personal best.
In the 10-year-old girls’ group, Annika Schmunk cleaned up, taking home second place in both the 60-metre dash and the 600-metre run. She also earned third in the 100-metre dash, the 1,000-metre run and long jump. All were personal bests except the 1,000-metre dash.
Keagan Abbott, in the 11-year-old boys’ category, took home gold in the shot put, discus throw and javelin throw events. Discus and javelin were both personal bests and Keagan will receive an award for his javelin throw because it met the BC Athletic Standard.
For 12-year-old boys, Caleb Parkhouse earned bronze for both high jump and 80-metre hurdles. High jump was also a personal best.
Abby Head, in the 12-year-old girls’ category, took home third and earned a personal best for the 800-metre race walk.
Other Powell River athletes earned multiple ribbons and recorded many personal bests.
The team cleaned up in relays as well. Melaina Mastrodonato, Ella Vallance, Abby Head and Kristin Naude earned fourth in the 12-year-old girls’ category. Teammates Gavin Mastrodonato, Wade Southern, Nicolas Porchetta and Caleb Parkhouse brought home bronze in the 12-year-old boys’ group. Finally, Gavin Mastrodonato, Wade Southern, Leo Head and Caleb Vallance brought in gold for the 11-year-old boys.
