Among those to compete in last week’s divisional track and field meet was Green Acre School in Rapid View student Kayleen Oftedal in the girls high jump.
by Phil Ambroziak
If anything, Carpenter High School track and field coach Cheyne Dallyn would describe last week’s divisional meet – held at Lions Park in Meadow Lake – as the calm before the storm.
“There were about 70 athletes at that event,” he said. “Next time, there will be 200-250.”
The “next time” Dallyn was referring to would be the district track and field meet, also hosted by CHS, which gets underway this evening (May 27) and continues all day Wednesday.
“The district meet includes athletes from the entire area – the entire Northwest,” Dallyn continued. “It will be on a much bigger scale than last week’s event.”
According to Jonas Samson Junior High track and field coach Trent Marsh, tonight’s district events will include hurdles and the 3,000-metre.
“Jonas Samson will have about 29 athletes competing,” Marsh said.
The top three athletes in each divisional event advanced to districts. Along with CHS and JSJH, other schools to compete last week included Makwa-Sahgaiehcan School, Dorintosh Central School, Green Acre School in Rapid View, Ernie Studer School in Loon Lake, Goodsoil Central School and Pierceland Central School. The meet took place May 21.
Among the top CHS athletes to move ahead were Brodie Derocher who placed first in both the 400 and 800-metre, Brenna Seymour who was first in javelin, Kole Norman who finished first overall in the 100 and 200-metre, Kaelin Michel in the 800 and 1,500-metre and Sabrinna McNabb who was first in the shot put event.
“Because divisionals was a smaller event, almost everyone who took part advanced to districts,” Dallyn noted.
The top athletes from this week’s district meet are guaranteed a spot in the provincial event set for June 7 in Moose Jaw.
“Overall, we have a strong division,” Dallyn said. “At CHS alone, all of our athletes who competed that day advanced to districts and it’s looking like we’ll have a decent number who will go on to advance to provincials.”
Marsh said the same with regard to the JSJH athletes, although only Grade 9s at that school have the opportunity to make provincials.
“We would have even more students attend districts, except it conflicts with the annual Grade 8 camping trip,” Marsh said. “But, they will always have another opportunity next year. And, right now, we have a lot of great athletes in Grade 9 who should be able to to have a fairly good showing and move on to provincials.”
