BY IAN THORPE
It’s no wonder that Nanaimo Track and Field Club members are especially excited these days. Another season is underway with strong registration numbers and a dedicated crew of volunteer organizers led by longtime president Tyler Heisterman. A major meet will be hosted by the club this month. And two former members have recently qualified to compete at the Olympics.
As earlier reported in the News Bulletin, hammer thrower Ethan Katzberg and race walker Olivia Lundman will be taking part in the Paris Summer Games in August. This accomplishment by the two athletes is yet another feather in the cap of the local track club where they initially trained and another indicator of the club’s amazing success.
READ ALSO: Nanaimo race walker qualifies for Olympics
READ ALSO: Nanaimo’s Ethan Katzberg strikes gold in hammer throw at Pan Am Games
Other individual successes by NTFC athletes from last season were celebrated at the club’s AGM and awards night earlier this year. My thanks to club public relations director Louis Beaudoin and head coach Wendy Urbanowicz for passing along the highlights…
Recognized as outstanding U11 athletes were Imisiulowa Oyenuga and Owen Ryan. From the U13 age group, Katie Hill and Kailo Grain were chosen most outstanding. Carter Cunning was named most outstanding U14 athlete. At the U16 level, most outstanding were Tessa Bell and Rhys Beaudoin. The U18 division saw Haley Martin and Niall O’Hara share most outstanding honours. Serenna Drake and Connor Hengstler were chosen most outstanding in the U20 division.
In the more senior divisions, Sandie Bissessur and Glenn Befus got recognition as outstanding masters athletes.
The award for the outstanding female track athlete went to Haley Martin and Niall O’Hara was chosen as outstanding male track athlete. As for off-track, or cross-country, Ava Gauthier for girls and Rhys Beaudoin for boys were the outstanding athletes. From field events, Katelyn Putz and Connor Hengstler were most outstanding.
In other club awards, Annika McMinn and Arleta Sadlikova were co-winners as most improved female athletes from last season, while Gavin Esleyer was the most improved male athlete. Recognized as the outstanding athlete from the 2023 Elwood Wylie Memorial Meet was Carter Cunning. The club Sportsmanship Award was shared by Lucy Russell and Zachary Croome. Honoured with the Erin Bell Volunteer of the Year award was Peter Sinclair, while Robert Shurniak received the NTFC President’s Award for his contributions to the club.
Several NTFC athletes were also honoured earlier this year at the annual B.C. Athletics awards banquet in Richmond. Named as U16 provincial Athletes of the Year were Tessa Bell for triple jump and Rhys Beaudoin for 1,500m steeplechase. U16 cross-country Athlete of the Year was Ava Gauthier, while Nate Paris was a finalist for U20 male track and field Athlete of the Year. In addition, now-famous former club member Ethan Katzberg received Senior Male Athlete of the Year for his world championship gold medal in hammer throw.
This year’s competitive track season began last month with meets in Comox and Port Alberni, followed by the Dogwood Meet in Victoria last weekend. Next up is a highlight of the schedule, as Nanaimo will host the annual Elwood Wylie Memorial Meet on May 25-26, with spectators welcome. The meet is always exciting and honours the memory of Wylie, who served 16 years as president during the club’s formative years. He played a vital role in the club’s development, as well as in the construction of the current facility at Rotary Bowl.
Beyond the Wylie meet lies a full summer of activity for Nanaimo Track and Field Club members, including hosting a provincial jamboree in July. We’ll have more details in future.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.