Thunder Indoor Track Travels to Saskatoon to Compete in 2016 K of C Games
Posted on: Feb 1, 2016
Some of the veteran Indoor Track athletes made the trek across the prairies to Saskatoon this past weekend to take part in the 2016 Knights of Columbus games, coming home with 5 medals. Ben Thomas made his debut at the 60m distance and earned his way to the finals where he picked up a Bronze Medal. He doubled back later in the day to run his 2nd fastest ever 300m time and a season's best, finishing in 4th place. In the 600m, Shelby Edgar and Kristina Dong both made their debuts over that distance finishing in 10th place and 12th place, respectively. "Both Shelby and Kristina went out a touch hard in the first lap and they paid for it over the last 200-300m. That's ok to make that mistake now; they'll learn from it and not make it again when it actually matters," said Head Coach – and team chauffeur – Matt Norminton. "Ben ran very well in the 60m. I think he surprised both himself and me with his Top 3 finish out there." Dong also doubled back later in the day in the 300m, running a season's best 49.70 to finish in 10th place. In the men's 600m, Kenton Sportak helped to put on one of the most exciting races in the day, just missing out on the win in an extremely close photo finish decision. Sportak knocked another 2 seconds off his school record, running one of his fastest 600m of all times.
In the ladies 3000m, Marriya Jenkins headed out in the lead from the gun and lapped the entire field, running her 2nd fastest ever time for the distance. "It was great to see Marriya run a good time over this distance, it's been a while!" said Norminton. Jenkins was injured for most of the 2015 indoor season. Also in the ladies race was Rachael Smillie, who took part in her first ever 3k and managed to pick up a Bronze Medal in the process. In the men's race, Kirk Sundt replicated Jenkins' performance by winning and lapping the entire field and running his 2nd fastest time ever.
The Indoor Track team will host the 2nd ACAC indoor event of the season this Saturday at the Edmonton Garrison track. Racing goes from 2-5pm.
Photo Courtesy of Robert Antoniuk