Jordan Jacobs, Sports Editor (Last Article)
The track and field team of Walnut Grove Secondary School has had quite the historic season- both in school district, and provincial record books- as 2019 marks the first year that the school has won the Senior Overall Banner at the BC High School Provincial Track and Field Championship.
This year’s championship was held in Kelowna, and it was under the blazing sun from May 30 to June 1st that the Gators put it all on the line to try and win a championship. It was through the combined efforts of the graduating seniors, grade 11’s, and other track members who chose to run senior to better aid the team, that created this championship title. More specifically, you could say it came down to two races in particular.
After winning the Senior Girls race-walk in a blistering fast time, Cassidy Cardle had obtained all of the points that she could to help the senior gators towards their goal: being the only individual senior athlete to win first in an event at the BC’s. Yet, even she could do no more than cheer on her teammates as the Provincial title came down to the track meet’s final event: the dreaded 4x400m. Unbeknownst to them, both the senior girls and senior boys relay teams would have to win their races in order for WGSS to secure the victory over their long-time rival Oak Bay Secondary. And guess what: they did it. The senior girls ran a personal best (and almost school record) 3:57, making it a seven second PB from their earlier race to secure the win. Team members included Samantha Matthewman, Holly Harrison, Jordan Jacobs, and Prab Wickraamarchi, who finished strong on anchor to make the girls become Provincial Champions. Then, after watching their teammates become victorious, it was the boys’ turn- and they had prepared, shaving their heads the night before the anticipated event. Teammates Evan Wright and Cameron Calbick started the race off strong, but it was the final hand off of graduating senior Richard Midgley passing the baton down to his brother, David, that made the emotional win that much sweeter.
Congratulations to all Gators on an amazing track season – whether you competed at Provincials or not. And thank you to GNN and WGSS, for letting me write about my passion for these past five years.
