Compete, excel and repeat.
Sir Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School (SAMS) track and field athletes continue to put the Bella Coola Valley on the radar with excellent performances at provincials.
Recently the team travelled to Nanaimo for the June 6-8 competition.
Coach Alex Boileau said 15 students qualified for provincials at the zones in Prince George, which was a record for the school.
"Three qualified, but didn't attend. We also had the most team points in SAMS history," he said. "It was quite the experience in Nanaimo. The weather was beautiful and many athletes got personal bests and enjoyed themselves."
Being on the bus with all the other northern athletes was a great experience, Boileau added.
"It was special to be part of that."
Eight members of the team gathered at the school on Thursday, June 13, for a phone interview where they shared what they enjoyed about provincials.
Most said it was the opportunity to gather with 2,500 athletes from around B.C.
Shayda Beloin, Grade 8, competed in high jump.
"I did not get my personal best, but I still did quite well and got fifth place."
High jump is something she has enjoyed competing in for a while at track meets in the valley, and being at provincials was another great experience, especially meeting all the other athletes.
"All you can do is try your best," she said.
Cierra Rurka made SAMS school history winning the first-ever medal at provincials, getting bronze in javelin.
New to javelin, she attended lots of practices and took advantage of extra practices, Boileau said.
Meadow Michalchuk ran in the 3,000m and the 4X400. She place 16th in the 3000m.
A highlight was running on a rubberized track compared to the grass at home, she said.
"I liked it, it was much faster," she said.
When asked if she loves running, she responded "yeah."
Isla Hodgson ran in the 4X400 and also enjoyed her foray into competing at provincials.
"It was really fun," Isla said. "There were a lot more people than in Bella Coola."
She ran the second leg of the relay and achieved a personal best.
The Jr. Girls 4x400 team also iproved their fastest time by 22 seconds, Boileau said.
Team members were Meadow, Kara McIlwain, Isla and Morgan Boileau.
Morgan, who is in Grade 10, returned to provincials for the third time so had an idea what to expect.
Compared to previous years, 2024 was her favourite because they got to go to Vancouver Island and take the ferry to Nanaimo.
"We got to hang out with all the other teams and the Northern Zone team atmosphere was really, really good," she said.
Zones went better for her than provincials, she added.
At zones she won a first, second and qualified for three events at provincials.
She ran the 1,500m, 1,500 steeplechase and the 4x400 in Nanaimo.
"I am grateful for all the people who made it possible for us to go to provincials," she said. "I know it took a lot of effort."
William McCartney ran the 4x400 and said it went well.
While in Nanaimo, William saw an uncle and some cousins, which was a bonus.
Noah Degrace competed in 4x400 and javelin.
"I like javelin better because I have been doing it for a little bit," he said.
Eric Boileau ran the 3,000m, 1,500m and 4x400.
"It was pretty cool," Eric said of competing at provincials. "There were a lot of people in track and field and a lot of tough competition. It was a very good experience."
Eric placed sixth in the 3,000 m, setting a school record and a personal best.
Aiden Mack placed 15th in shot put and stepped in as an alternate for the 4x400 when another team member was injured so the team could compete.
The 4x400 bantam boys team almost achieved a personal best and placed 13th at provincials.
William, Noah, Aiden and Eric made up the team.
Danny Legault, who has competed at several provincials, placed 16th in junior boys javelin and also qualified and competed in high jump.
Ben Dishkin placed seventh in javelin, which was an amazing result, Boileau said, and placed 18th in shot put.
"All of these students have natural abilities and talent," Boileau noted. "It's amazing to see what they can do in one year and keep improving."
He said the team hopes it will be even bigger next year and they are grateful for all the support they received.
Boileau thanked the following people and organizations for supporting the SAMS track and field team: SD 49, Coach Alex Boileau, Annika and Caroline Granander, Jeremiah Johnson, Khya Saban, Sony Legault, Steve Hodgson, Jaclyn Hodson, Kerry Boileau, Brad Beloin, Chantal Rurka, Bus garage - Jason Gunderson and Leonard Kozak and Kristina Knudsen, and all the parents and volunteers who helped out at track practices, meets and fundraisers.
Other members of the SAMS track and field team this year were Mathias Conley, Thea Morton, Tiara Milton, Kyle Fehr, Alaina Legault, Presley Nelson, Casey Robson, Camilla Saunders, Shaylen Moody, Declan Ratcliff and Daniel Schadt.
