Members of the Nanaimo Track and Field Club are on the mark, set and ready to go this week, hosting a major event of the track season. That would be the annual Elwood Wylie Meet, to be held this coming Saturday and Sunday, May 24-25, at the Rotary Bowl track. The meet always provides entertaining track and field action and spectators of course are welcome.
It has been a busy time for club organizers, but the season is now underway and athletes have already competed in meets in Victoria and Port Alberni. As usual, registration numbers for club programs are full, an experienced set of coaches are in place and enthusiasm for the year ahead is high.
That said, there are a number of changes in NTFC personnel this year. At the club’s annual general meeting in January, longtime president Tyler Heisterman stepped aside, as did vice-president Win Myint, treasurer Don Putz and registrar Kim Cameron. Replacing them on the executive are incoming president Louis Beaudoin, vice-president Brett Olsen, treasurer Olayemi Oyenuga and registrar Robin Cunning. Sheri Gauthier returns as secretary and other directors include Mike Viers, Peter Sinclair, Robert Shurniak, Natalie DeSouza, Jason Bunston, Ava Gauthier, Rhys Beaudoin, Anette Thingsted, Tara Martin and Pam Medland. Once again heading up a strong volunteer coaching staff is NTFC head coach Wanda Urbanowicz.
Aside from elections, a highlight of this year’s AGM was the celebration of local Olympians from the Paris Games. Ethan Katzberg and Olivia Lundman both trained with Nanaimo Track and Field Club and both were appreciative of the support they received in their development as young athletes. Undoubtedly their success has inspired further interest in track and field athletics locally.
A large number of club athletes and volunteers were also recognized. Viers was head coach of Team B.C. at the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships, Tessa Bell was on Team B.C. at that event and Sonya Urbanowicz was part of Team B.C. for the Senior National Track and Field Championships.
On last year’s Summer Games Zone 6 team were NTFC athletes Skyla Lewis, Ryan Luch, Carter Cunning, Anishka Moonsamy, Oliver Sinclair, Mason Miller, Danaea Brand, Megan James, Saige Arkwright, Griffin Morse, Johah Kolen-Lee and Tessa Bell. Peter Sinclair and Kate Cameron were part of the coaching staff, Chris Cunning was support staff and Kim Cameron was chief umpire.
Top club athletes were honoured at the AGM for their achievements last season. Recognized as outstanding junior development age 9-10 athletes were Hannah Jaworski and Nirvaan Tripathi. From the 11-12 group, Imisiulowa Oyenuga and Curtis Gross were top athletes. Finn Olsen and Brynne Reilly were named as outstanding in the 13-year-old age group. In U16, Tessa Bell and Carter Cunning were top athletes and in the U18 division Brea Gillette and Rhys Beaudoin were honoured. Among U20 competitors, Lydia Paris and Sacha Therrien were the outstanding athletes. Top masters athletes were Nola Hendrie and Peter Sinclair.
Named as outstanding athletes in field events were Tessa Bell and Sacha Therrien, while outstanding in track events were Brea Gillette and Nolan Galloway. Awards for outstanding off-track athletes went to Ember Vaitekunas and Rhys Beaudoin.
Most improved athletes from last season were Skyla Lewis and Mason Miler. Sportsmanship awards were given to Annika McMinn and Niall O’Hara. Skyla Webber was named as outstanding athlete from last year’s Elwood Wylie Meet, Denise Bonin received the Erin Bell Award for volunteer coach or official of the year and Don Putz was honoured with the NTFC President’s Award for his dedication.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
