Spring is track season and that means it is a busy time for those involved with the Nanaimo Track and Field Club. President Tyler Heisterman sends word that the club’s talented athletes have already competed strongly at several meets held as part of the Island series.
The first of those was the George Dean Memorial meet in Sidney. Among the individual highlights was Makayla Mitchell (age 10) winning gold in the 800-metre race walk, long jump and the shot put. Karly Dickinson, also 10, had firsts in 600m and 1000m, while Courtney Anderton (11) won the 100m and 200m dash events. Kaitlyn Watson (11) took gold in the 800m race walk and long jump, Jenaya Pynn (15) was first in 800m and Jillian Hannah (17) won the 100m dash and long jump.
With the boys, 10-year-olds Ethan Katzberg, Ethan Anderson and Keaton Heisterman swept all three top spots in shot put. Heisterman added to his medal count with wins as well in discus and in 600m and 1,000m runs. Katzberg also placed first in 60m hurdles, javelin and high jump. Luke Kedves (9) was first in high jump and Colby Day (11) won both the high jump and javelin. Also 11, Nate Seaman took gold in the 600m and 1,000m runs. Jeremiah Morris (12) was first in high jump and shot put, while Nathan Anderton (13) won his 800m run, Jason Clare (14) got gold in high jump and Charlie Andrews (15) won both the 100m dash and shot put.
Next competition was the Bob Dailey Memorial meet held in Port Alberni, where NTFC athletes came away with 113 top-three finishes. Track highlights included Nate Seaman, Jett Ferraro and Colby Day sweeping the 11-year-old boys’ 200m, while Josh Bailey, Carter Higgins and Isaac Sandri took the top three places in the 1,200m for boys age 14. With the girls, Madison Heisterman (12) won the 300m, 800m and 1200m runs and teammate Alyssa Mousseau was first in 800m and 1,200m for girls age 14. In field events, Paige Higgins (9) won both high jump and long jump, while Rachel Jerome (14) took gold in long and triple jumps. First place in javelin for 11-year-old boys went to Colby Day.
Nanaimo athletes then took part at the Dogwood Meet in Victoria, capturing 43 gold medals. Leading the way was Brett Schlitz (9), with wins in high jump, 600m, 60m hurdles and shot put. Kaitlyn Watson (11) claimed the 600m, 1,000m, 800m race walk and long jump.
Makayla Mitchell (10) won her 600m, 800m race walk and shot put events, while Alyssa Mousseau (14) earned gold in 300m, 800m and 1,200m runs. Keaton Heisterman (10) had victories in 60m dash, 1,000m and discus. Ethan Katzberg (10) won in high jump, long jump and javelin and Carter Higgins (14) took the 800m, 1,500m steeplechase and 200m.
Winners of two events were Madison Heisterman (12) for 800m and 1,200m, Rachel Jerome (14) in 100m and long jump, Jenaya Pynn (15) in 200m and 800m, Nate Seaman (11) for 600m and 100m runs and Jack Schlitz (13) for high jump and shot put.
Last weekend saw the Nanaimo Track and Field Club host its annual Elwood Wylie Memorial meet and my thanks to Terri Doughty for passing along results. NTFC had a total of 83 athletes take part and they came away with no less than 73 first-place finishes.
Dominic Boar (12) earned gold in 100m, 80m hurdles, 200m hurdles and long jump, while Keaton Heisterman (10) took firsts in 600m, 1,000m, 800m race walk and high jump.
Courtney Anderton (11) was a triple winner, taking firsts in 60m, 100m and 200m. Josh Bailey (14) had wins in 800m, 1,200m and 2,000m, while Joel Deschiffart (18-19) won the 400m, 800m and 1,500m. Also on the track, Carter Higgins (14) took gold in 300m, 200m hurdles and 1,500m steeplechase. Alyssa Mousseau (14) raced to victory in 300m, 800m and 1,200m and Patti Rogers (50-54) recorded firsts in 100m, 200m and 400m. Makayla Mitchell (10) was a winner in 800m race walk, javelin and shot put and Ethan Katzberg (10) was a winner in high jump, long jump and javelin.
Winning a pair of events were Jason Clare, Karly Dickenson, Amanda Dobbyn, Madison Heisterman, Joshua Mitchell, Amy Morris, Evelynne Pallard, Jake Seaman, Nate Seaman, Karen Shook and Vern Shook.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair and show good sportsmanship.
Ian Thorpe writes about sports Saturdays.