Members of the high school-level track and field team at Boyle School took part at the north-central zones event at Foote Field in Edmonton on May 22. And in the track events, 10 athletes from the school qualified for provincials.
Teacher and track and field coach Megan Rennie said that each of the kids who qualified are really excited to attend.
"One of our athletes, Garrett Berube, qualified for multiple events in the junior men's event," Rennie said. "He finished first in the 100 metre hurdles. As well, he tied for second in the high jump with an athlete out of Westlock, and was part of the relay team, which finished second in their event."
Rennie added that to qualify to be in provincials, each one has to finish first or second in their respective events.
"Each athlete who qualifies for provincials can only compete in two events," Rennie said. "In an act of good sportsmanship, Berube gave up his spot in the high jump provincials so the other guy could attend provincials. Even though they tied, only one of them was allowed to compete. So, Garrett let the other one have it, having already qualified for two events anyway."
Two other athletes from Boyle also qualified to compete in two events at provincials.
Emma Sachko took first place in the both the intermediate women's 200 and 400 metre dash at zones to qualify at the provincial level. As well, Maria Antal placed second in the senior women's 200 metre dash, and was part of the senior women's relay team, who also placed second in their event, qualifying her to compete in provincials.
Joining Antal on the senior women's relay team for upcoming provincials includes Meeka Gillam, Shelby Bencharsky and Zowie Shapka. For the junior men's relay team, Colby Bechthold, Ethan Langevin and Logan Radmanovich will compete along with teammate Berube.
Rounding out the 10 athletes going to Red Deer is Connor Scammell, who finished second in zones for the intermediate men's 800 metre run.
"They were all very excited at their performances in Edmonton," said Rennie. "Many of the parents came along with them, in order to watch their children perform."
She added that she's really proud of how each of the athletes took ownership of their own training.
"They did not really need me helping them out that much," Rennie said. "They just went out and did it by themselves, and I was really impressed with the final results."
Although they did not finish in the top two in the field events such as shot put and discuss, Rennie said that they did do quite well.
"They finished third and fourth in most of the events," she said. "So, for a small school like Boyle to compete in zones and perform this well, that says a lot for their determination for success. I certainly was not expecting 10 to qualify for provincials, so for me as a coach, this is great."
The Alberta provincial track and field event will take place in Red Deer on June 1 and 2.
