Best of the best face off at provincial track meet

Loreburn's Shane Lafontaine competes in the senior boys 100-m hurdles at the provincial track meet in Regina.
Loreburn’s Shane Lafontaine competes in the senior boys 100-m hurdles at the provincial track meet in Regina.

By Joel van der Veen

REGINA — Local athletes pitted their skills against competitors from across the province last weekend at Regina’s Douglas Park.

Students from Craik, Davidson, Hanley, Kenaston and Loreburn were among the participants at the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association’s provincial track and field championships on June 3 and 4.

Paulette Killoh, co-ordinator for Davidson School’s track and field program, said she was proud of the five competitors from her school, some of whom achieved personal bests.

“We need to realize that we’re competing against students and athletes that train year-round,” she said Wednesday.

Killoh said she encouraged students to set their own goals, adding that many of them followed through and were happy with the results.

She gave the example of Jacob Schilling, who competed in two running events in the junior boys division, performing well despite suffering from a cold.

“He and Derek (Schmiedge) trained all year with the goal of reaching provincials,” she said. “It’s got to be their goal, and they work for it.”

Derek Schmiedge and Clay Murfitt both competed at provincials for the first time in the midget boys division.

Schmiedge set a personal best in the 3,000-metre run, beating his time from the district meet by 15 seconds, while Murfitt earned an impressive 11th place in the high jump.

Emily Read also achieved a personal best in the midget girls long jump, beating her previous record by 23 centimetres.

Ben Nykiforuk returned to provincials for the final time as Davidson’s only senior competitor, making a solid showing in the triple jump event.

Jadyn Reiber of Hanley was the only district student to earn a medal, taking bronze in the midget girls pole vault.

For the full story and complete local results, please see the June 13 edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.