Five members of the Yorkton Legion Track Club travelled with Team Saskatchewan to Calgary, Alberta from July 26th - 28th.
The five athletes had posted qualifying times for Westerns during the outdoor track season leading up to the event and had high hopes going into the meet.
These athletes competed in their qualified events at the 2013 Western Canadian Youth & Midget Track & Field Championships.
Competition at this event is the best available in Western Canada with many athletes going on to compete at the National Championships in Langley, BC.
Cole Burkholder was happy with his experience in attending the high end event after a successful club and school outdoor season in 2013 with the YRHS as well as the YLTC.
"It was a great opportunity for me to show my talents at a very high end meet. It was very hard, but I am happy I was part of it." says Burkholder.
Mikaila Ortynsky was also asked how her experience was. "The Tri-Province meet was amazing. The meet itself was organized amazingly and my competitors were extremely strong in all of their events. Though I didn't throw any new PBs I've gotten much valuable experience that'll need for the next track season" says Ortynsky.
Jaden Porte who attended this event last year as well as nationals in PEI in 2012 felt that the competition this year was on par to the two events he attended last year.
"I was extremely impressed with the competition this year."
"I had a great push to hit personal bests. I was also extremely happy with my results as I ran the 3rd fastest 1,500m and fastest 800m this entire year by a youth Saskatchewan runner."
"I am very impressed with the competition this year as it seems there are many more competitors from outside our club compared to the previous year," Porte adds.
Talking about the future of the club heading into the 2013/14 indoor season, Porte mentioned high expectations thanks to the excellent coaching in the club. "I think from the training of Coach Kirk Flaman, Coach Tom Cursons and Coach Bob Edwards we will see more competitors from our Yorkton club attend this meet next year," says Porte.
Results from the 2013 Western Canadian Championship:
Individual Results:
Mikaila Ortynsky: Shot Put = 7th, Discus = 5th, Javelin = 6th
Ethan Field: 100m = 6th, Medley Relay = 6th
Jaret Porte: 200m = 16th, 1,200m = 12th, 2,000m = 7th, Medley Relay = 5th
Cole Burkholder: 800m = 8th, 1,200m = 9th, 2,000m = 5th, Medley Relay = 5th
Jaden Porte: 800m = 7th, 1,500m = 10th, High Jump = 9th, 4 x 400m Relay = 5th
The Western track meet wraps the 2013 season for the club. The new 2014 training program will start again at the end of October for the YLTC as they prepare for the indoor track season.
If anyone is interested in joining the Yorkton Legion Tarck Club, ages 12 years old and up, email Marcel Porte at [email protected].
Porte will also be at Yorkton City Wide Registration on behalf of the YLTC.
