Provincial record broken at annual track meet
- EFN Staff | March 11, 2015
Hundreds of athletes and enthusiastic supporters filled the Saskatoon Field House for a weekend of competition and camaraderie for the seventh annual Saskatchewan Aboriginal Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Over 300 athletes from around Saskatchewan took part in the competition that brought some amazing personal performances from several athletes. Shaelyn Whitefish from Big River took gold in peewee girl’s high jump and 800 meter run. Mackenzie Yole from Ile-a-la-Crosse blew away the competition in the midget girl’s high jump and Calvin Napope with the St. Louis Eagles won midget gold in the 60 and 200 meter runs and in high jump and long jump. Not bad! The big highlight of the meet was Kyana Bear a grade 6 student from Kakiswew Ochapowace School breaking the provincial record in shot put with a throw of 10.82 meters.
“Well I didn't think I was throwing far and some other girls were like way taller than me and I knew I had a chance of placing and when I was throwing the judges were amazed how far I was throwing the shot put,” said Kyana in a Facebook chat. “And I feel proud that I broke the record there and my goal is to break my record again. I am in nonstop training and other track Clubs are asking me to go to join them. I would love to continue track and my other goal is to go to bold eagle.”
Derek Rope has been on the committee since the inception of the track meet and he is starting to see positive changes.
“Track and Field is an evolving sport within our communities and I love seeing this meet grow year over year not only is size, but in skill development and the level of competition of our young First Nation and Métis athletes,” said Rope. “More often we are seeing Provincial records being broken and new mentors emerging which is testament to the support and opportunities our parents and communities continue to provide to our young people. It is great to see.”
For the first time this year, the race hosted a battle of the bad and unstretched as sponsors and community leaders faced off in a 60 meter “fun” dash. The goal for some was to just finish. For others it was to not be injured. The wishes almost made it but Saskatoon Tribal Council Vice Chief Mark Arcand pulled up with a strained hamstring as Matt Dunn (he was only in the Canadian Olympic Development program) ran to a first place finish.
“A highlight for me at this meet was definitely the leadership and sponsor race,” added Rope. “Great to see everyone participating alongside our athletes and leading by example, thanks to you all. That race will definitely become a part of the legacy of this meet in the future I am sure.”
For more photos (including John's performance in the 60 meter "fun" dash), check out our photo gallery.