A driving rain couldn’t stop the Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) Elecs track and field team from earning some personal best scores and times at the South East District Athletic Association (SEDAA) district championships at Weyburn Comprehensive School last Wednesday.
Kelly Phillipchuk, a coach of the ECS track and field team, said the steady downpour had a bit of an affect on the various events, but the athletes kept trying their hardest despite the difficulties. He said the kids were helped out at the district championships by having trained in similar conditions including a practice in the rain about two weeks prior to the Weyburn competition.
The SEDAA district championships are the qualifying meet for the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) provincial finals that are being held at Regina’s Douglas Park this weekend. Eleven out of 26 ECS athletes earned a berth at the provincial finals, with Carly Kreklewich (800-metre run), Donny Mortenson (high jump), Tatiana Dutka (long jump), Morgan Fichter (triple jump), Sammy Wade (1500m), Reece Handley (triple jump), Jacob Shurygalo (quad-shot put) and Jenna Kreklewich (quad-100m and long jump) placing first in their events.
“Every time we go a little farther into the competitions, get a little deeper, the competition gets a little better,” said Phillipchuk. “But on the other hand I think the tough competition brought out some of the best in our athletes as well seeing them push a little harder and run a little faster and jump a little farther. In terms of competition we like to be pushed and I think they did a great job.”
Phillipchuk said the turnaround for the provincial championships is very quick, so the focus was allowing the athletes to relax and rest any tired muscles or injuries following districts before getting back on the track for three to four days of practice this week. He said these kids have been training hard over the past two months, with some athletes running on their own as well as attending regular practices, and that should show itself in the finals.
“We’re looking for some more personal bests and I think some of our athletes are looking to place really well this year,” he said. “Even as the South East Cornerstone School Division, we have a very strong team we’re bringing down, so we’re hoping for good results.”
ECS athletes qualifying for the SHSAA provincial finals and their respective sports are: Reese Handley, triple jump; Carter Davenport, 800m, 1500m; Tatiana Dutka, long jump, triple jump; Morgan Fichter, long jump, triple jump, high jump; Sammy Wade, 1500m, discus; Donny Mortenson, 100m hurdles, high jump; Justin Weinrauch, 100m; Carly Kreklewich, 800m, 3000m; Nikita Leblanc, long jump; Dylan Massicotte, quadrathlon; Jacob Shurygalo, quadrathlon; and Jenna Kreklewich, quadrathlon.
St. Mary’s athletes qualifying for the SHSAA provincial finals and their respective sports are: Zach Ashworth, 100m, triple jump, high jump; and Nikki Kistanov, 100m, long jump, triple jump.
Spruce Ridge athletes qualifying for the SHSAA provincial finals and their respective sports are: Alex Vonsprechken, 1500m; and Olivia Kramer, shot put, discus.
Pleasantdale athletes qualifying for the SHSAA provincial finals and their respective sports are: Logan Ehrmantraut, 400m; and Taylor Haux, javelin.
