Matt Kustra, Courtney Propp, Taneisha Roussin and Mikayla Smith all represented St. Michael's Elementary School last week and came away with at least one top-10 finish as the Christ the Teacher Catholic School Division held a track meet at Kinsmen Century Field.
The students, along with their coach Lou Ellert made the most of unfriendly weather conditions in the weeks leading up to the track meet, and took advantage of their own practice facilities at St. Michael's.
"They've been using the walking track at school to practice the handoffs."
The Gloria Hayden Community Centre, located next door to both St. Michael's and MC Knoll Elementary Schools, has an elevated walking track that Ellert said his relay team was able to use to practice the art of handing off the baton at precise timings.
"They're good athletes," suggested Ellert. Smith competed in long jump, the 1500-metre distance run, the shot put event, and was part of the four-man relay unit. The medal collection from the day includes a bronze in the long jump, second place silver in the 1500-metre, another bronze in shot put and silver in the 4x100-metre relay which she won alongside Bryce Sherring, Brittany Hudye and Laura Vachon.
"It was a lot of fun," Smith said, adding that she's "happy if your teammates do well".
Roussin's medal count was only one but it was the best anybody can possibly do in competition. She placed first in her only event, the long jump.
She said she ran for nearly four metres and competed against 17 other students.
Despite winning gold, she wasn't overly impressed by her own performance.
"No, I think I could have done better," when asked if she was satisfied, also added that she thinks she needs to train harder. Other sports on her list include: basketball, volleyball, badminton, soccer, swimming and hip hop.
Propp placed sixth in high jump and seventh in long jump, said she had "fun" despite it being "harder (to win) because it was windy".
Kustra ran in the 200-metre, 100-metre, 400-metre and the long jump events at the meet.
He said he placed first in the 200-metre and said it wasn't much of a challenge. He said the 100-metre "was probably the closest race, and the hardest". The 400-metre "felt really easy" and in long jump, he broke the record along with Brendon Weber.
Kustra said the meet was "fun" except for the 100-metre which saw the wind "blowing right in our faces".
Coach Ellert said he wasn't surprised with the race results because most of the track and field team practices for three noon hours, in which they work on timing and technique.
"It really gives you an advantage."
Ellert insisted that track practice isn't easy when the weather doesn't allow for practice time outside.
NEXT UP
Students from area schools, including Kustra, Propp, Smith and Roussin will be competing in the East Central District track and field meet. Prior to the Victoria Day long weekend, the meet was scheduled for May 25-26, however due to a teachers' strike, the track meet will be moved back to the last two days of the month (May 30-31) at Kinsmen Century Field.
