The eleven members of the junior high track team hit the field last week, competing against some of the best in the area to be named track champs.
The entire eleven member team headed to Linden on Thursday, May 31, to compete at the division level. Of those, five placed high enough to head to zones in Calgary on June 6.
Sam Brown, who had recently competed in his first marathon, qualified for the 400 m, 3000 m, high jump, and long jump. Taylor Snow would compete in the 80 m hurdles. Megan Rowbottom qualified for the ladies 400 m. Raine McDougald would go against fierce competition in the 1500 m. Josh Weeteringern qualified for the 100 m long jump.
The Drumheller athletes gathered in Glenmore Field and pitted themselves both against the other division champions and the grim weather.
“The athletes that went to Zones had a good day, but we were up against some really stiff competition,” said coach Dawn Sullivan.
Brown could not compete in the long jump due to delays, but finished in fifth for the 3000 m and won the bronze for the high jump.
“He was jumping during an intense downpour and wind burst. When he left competition Sam could walk under the bar!” said Sullivan.
The other DVSS athletes competed hard, but didn’t quite break into their respective top 10’s.
The junior high zones marks the end of the track and field season.
“I would like to thank the students and parents who participated in track this year,” said Sullivan. “It’s a sport that usually takes place rain or shine, weather does play a part in the performance of the athletes. It was a prime example of how athletes push through and carry on when most people wouldn’t go outside.”