Provincial Track and Field Championships Recap - Issue 36

KES athletes concluded an outstanding track and field season with several medal-winning performances and numerous top-eight finishes at the SSNS Provincial Track and Field Championships held this past weekend at Beazley Field in Dartmouth.

 

Competing at Provincials means competing against the top athletes from every school in Nova Scotia. There are no divisions in track and field, making every medal and top-eight finish a significant accomplishment.

 

Leading the way was Emmanuel ’26, who delivered an outstanding championship performance by earning silver in the Senior Boys 200m and bronze in the Senior Boys 100m. Alfred ’28 added another provincial medal for KES, claiming silver in the Intermediate Boys 200m while also placing fourth in the Intermediate Boys 400m. The Intermediate Boys 4×100m relay team of Charlie ’28, Samuel ’28, Preston ’28, and Alfred ’28 earned bronze with a third-place finish.

 

On the girls' side, Chloe ’27 continued her exceptional season by earning bronze in the Senior Girls 100m dash. Zoey ’29 also reached the provincial podium, capturing bronze in the Intermediate Girls Shot Put.

 

Several other athletes achieved top-eight provincial finishes. Chibuikem ’27 placed eighth in the Senior Boys 200m. The Senior Girls 4×100m relay team of Chisom ’27, Maanvi ’27, Mielle ’28, and Lily ’27 narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish. The Senior Boys 4×100m relay team of Chibuikem ’27, Keaton ’26, Emmanuel ’26, and Van ’27 earned an eighth-place finish.

 

KES was also represented by a number of athletes who qualified for Provincials and competed well against the province's best. Chisom ’27 placed 11th in the Senior Girls 100m and 14th in the 200m. Mielle ’28 finished 10th in the Intermediate Girls 100m and 12th in the 200m. Marlowe ’29 competed in the Intermediate Girls High Jump and finished 12th.

 

For the boys, Chibuikem ’27 placed 12th in the Senior Boys 100m, Charlie ’28 finished 15th in the Intermediate Boys 100m, Emmanuel ’31 narrowly missed a top-eight finish with a ninth-place result in the Junior Boys 200m, and Diego ’29 placed 14th in the Intermediate Boys Triple Jump. The Senior Boys 4×400m relay team of Chibuikem ’27, Cole ’26, Pepis ’27, and Keaton ’26 finished ninth overall.

 

Congratulations to all of our athletes and coaches on an excellent provincial championship performance. From provincial medalists to first-time provincial qualifiers, our athletes represented King’s-Edgehill School with determination, sportsmanship, and pride. We congratulate everyone on a successful season and look forward to building on these performances next year. For several of our athletes, their season continues into August and, for anyone wishing to continue their improvement locally or globally, please reach out to me for training.

 

About the only thing longer than one of my recaps is my list of thank-yous.

 

The diversity of events in track and field demands many hands and hearts, showing up day in and day out, often behind the scenes. I apologize if I’ve inadvertently left anyone out, but I trust I’ve thanked you personally (and hopefully more than once).

 

Thank you Mrs. Tanna (Goldberg) Schulich ’60 and her husband, Mr. Seymour Schulich, for giving us the opportunity to run, jump, and throw on Tanna Track. Mrs. Sue Bouwman precedes my time here and is as much a part of the foundation of this program as anyone who came before her. Mr. Mark Walker could be found through nearly all junior and senior practices wherever he was needed. Mr. Brodi Robinson kept the distance runners huffing and puffing, and everyone has a uniform thanks to him and our very dear supporter, Ms. Lisa Headley. Ms. Rachel Timmermans is growing the Junior School program larger and stronger each year, and this season was aided by Ms. Bridget Brennan in jumps and hurdles. Mr. Donnie Armstrong put in as many hours as I did this season and could not be more valued. Mr. Derek Bouwman kept trying to have students jump his height over the bar, next year, for sure.

 

We hosted five track and field meets this year, which is more than any other school in SSNS. That could not have been done without the support of Mr. Edward James, Mrs. Paula James, Mr. Greg Wile, Mr. Alex Labrecque, Ms. Karen Brierley, Mr. Oliver Hubka, and Mr. Andre Benoit, all of whom provided valuable finish-line support through all of our meets this season.

In the weeks leading up to our competitions, I pester Mr. Brandon Jodrey and his Maintenance staff, but especially Mr. John MacKay. In the hours and minutes before the first gun starts the first runners, I am probably seeking any or all of these men to save the day: Mr. Derek Parker, Mr. Mike Gates, and Mr. Brian Matheson.

 

We couldn’t travel to compete without the vans and buses of Ms. Kim Shanks and Mr. Wade Trider, and keeping us moving in another way is Ms. Jennie Sawler. It was the vision and commitment of Mr. Joseph Seagram to bring us this track and without it we would not be the competitive force we are.

 

Finally, and always, thank you, Guy Payne.