STOUGHTON - It was a cool 14 C on May 18 when 21 students from the Stoughton Central School went to Weyburn to compete in the South East District Athletic Association west regional track and field event.
These athletes from Grades 7-12 took part in 65 events throughout the day, and 26 of them moved onto the district meet on May 25.
With competition being strong on May 18, this did not stop the Stoughton Bulldogs from working harder and this proved to be worthwhile at the end of the day.
The young athletes took home 20 first place finishes, 11 seconds and eight thirds.
Records were broken by two of the students. Easton Berner set a record for the senior boys’ quads, while Christian Vogel received the record for the high jump. The peewee boy jumped 1.51 metres.
Another accomplishment was Yveian Orpiano and Brighton Coderre, who will represent Stoughton for the relay race at the district meet.
To finish off this exciting day, four students were awarded the aggregate medal. A perfect score is 40 points, and they were not far off.
Abby Coderre had 30 points for peewee girls, while Vigo Orpiano received 34 points for peewee boys. Brighton Coderre chalked up 34 points as well for the intermediate girls, while Yveian Orpiano had 38 points for the senior girls. The four athletes are cousins.
The excitement continued as 15 athletes qualified for district meet for track and field in Weyburn on May 25.
Temperatures were much warmer for Stoughton that day, but the weather did not seem to be a factor for the 15 students.
Districts is a qualifier for provincials, and only the top two of every category would go on to represent their school. Nine of the fifteen students from the Stoughton school qualified for provincials.
“They all worked hard, and some moments were pretty intense,” said coach Derek Mercer. “It is not a small feat to get to provincials, and the competition will only get stronger.”
Mercer went on to say provincials will be difficult, as the best of the best will be there.
These athlete’s all placed first or second in their events and will represent their school at provincials in Regina at the Canada Games Complex on June 3 and 4.
The following students will take part in the track and field meet. For intermediate boys, Brighton Coderre will tackle the triple jump and the 100 metres, and will be joined by Reid Goudy for javelin.
Carson Baumgartner will represent the junior boys in shot put and javelin, while Shelby Vogel will take on the discus for junior girls.
The senior boys will have Greyson Goudy for the 800 metres and relay, along with Carter Goudy for the relay. Jaxon Tanner will do his part in discus and javelin, while Easton Berner is in relay.
Yveian Orpiano has four events to compete in, the 100 metres, long jump, triple jump and high jump. She is also an aggregate medal winner.
