Things are looking up for the Star City School Track and Field program.
After sending just two athletes to provincials in 2015, the Falcons improved that number, sending five last year, and six this year, competing in 11 events.
Sending six athletes to provincials was a tremendous accomplishment for the Falcons track program as they had just 12 athletes eligible to qualify.
“I’m pretty proud of the kids. They worked really hard this season for sure to get to where they wanted to be and I thought it was pretty cool that we had a 50 per cent success rate on that,” said Morgan Hedman, the track coach.
In addition to sending six athletes, their most in a number of years, the Falcons also claimed a provincial bronze medal as Justin Broeckel captured the bronze in the midget boys discus after throwing 38.39m.
“He’s an overall really talented athlete and we kind of went into it knowing that he might do well but he wasn’t the most consistent thrower,” noted Hedman.
Hedman said the medal was the first in school history for the Falcons, as far as she knows, and said it is an exciting time for the school.
“Our school is just really proud of him and the community is really proud of him and it just goes to show that a kid from a small town can get out there and be competitive with the best of them as well,” she said.
The medal marks an incredible step forward for the Falcons track program, notes Hedman.
“Three years ago when I first coached we had a kid have a seventh and an eighth, last year we didn’t have any top eight finishes and then this year we were able to get that third place medal so it’s very, very exciting.”
The Falcons also added a fifth place finish in the junior girls shot put and a trio of top 20 finished including 17th in the midget boys 800m, and senior girls high jump, and 18th place in the junior girls javelin.
Rounding out the finishes were six top 30 finishes including 21st in the senior girls 400m, 22nd in the midget boys 400m, 24th in the junior girls javelin, 25th in midget boys 400m, and senior boys 100m hurdles, and 27th in the junior girls discus.
A large part of the improvement of the track program comes down to inclusion, noted Hedman, who said they work hard to encourage and allow athletes to try as many different events as they would like.
“Other kids are kind of seeing that these kids are having fun, they’re learning lots, and they’re getting to go places with it. So they come out and try things as well.”
She notes they also try to have a positive atmosphere and encourage students to not only participate in events but to help run events at the district championship, and to cheer on their teammates.
“We’ve built just such a really good climate and culture within the program.”
Looking ahead to next season the Falcons can return all six members of this season’s provincial track team, and Hedman said there is great anticipation for what next year’s team can accomplish.
“I’m hoping that those six qualify again and we’ve got some up and coming Grade 8s we’ve got two girls that could potentially make provincials as well, so the numbers just keep going up and up.”
