The 2023 edition of the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships recently unfolded, showcasing the incredible talent of Canada's young athletes. This event provides a platform for U16 and U18 athletes to shine and gain valuable experience that they will take with them throughout their careers.
British Columbia's Athletes Shine Bright
The 2023 Legion Nationals witnessed a remarkable representation from British Columbia. Their outstanding performances showcased the depth of talent in BC, Canada's westernmost province.
Several athletes made their mark as National Champions.
Champions on the Track
James Hodgson of Ocean Athletics emerged victorious in the U18 Men's 2000m Steeplechase, completing the race in 5:55.62.
Jaina Kang from Langley Mustangs won the U18 Women's 2000m Steeplechase with a time of 7:00.27.
Arjun Sandhu from Vancouver Thunderbirds triumphed in the Men's 2000m event, crossing the finish line at 5:38.54. During the semi-finals he broke the U16 Canadian Record.
Riley Simmonds of Valley Royals secured gold in the Men's 1500m Steeplechase with a time of 4:26.63.
Lowell Solmes and Grace Wong claimed gold in the U18 Men's 3000m Race Walk and Women's 5000m Race Walk with times of 14:26.28 and 15:40.35 respectively.
Chloe Symon from Vancouver Thunderbirds showcased her power in U18 Women's 400m, finishing first with a time of 56.47 seconds.
Willem Van Schagen of Valley Royals displayed his endurance in the U18 Men's 400mH U18 event, completing the race in 55.20 seconds.
Lily Stroda, competing unattached, demonstrated her speed and technique, clinching gold in the 15 YO Women's 80mH with a time of 11.96 seconds.
Champions on the Field
Gabrielle Armstrong from Kamloops Track and Field Club dominated the 15 YO Women's Pole Vault, clearing the bar at a height of 3.31 meters, a new championship record.
Lauren Curtis, also from Kajaks Track and Field Club, triumphed in the U18 Women's Hammer Throw throwing a distance of 54.63 meters.
Gillian Galik won the 15YO Women's Javelin by over 14 meters with a mark of 55.59m, a championship record.
Gursher Gabri won the 15YO Men's Discus with a mark of 48.69m; he also won the hammer throw with a distance of 56.96m.
Tyson Servos from Comox Valley Cougars showcased his talent in the 15 YO Men's Javelin, throwing a distance of 51.81 meters.
Mackenzie Hurtubise of Langley Mustangs soared to victory in the U18 Women's F Pole Vault, clearing a height of 3.40 meters.
Lawrence Man from Kajaks Track and Field Club emerged victorious in the U18 Men's Hammer Throw, throwing a mark of 54.01 meters.
Talia Phangura won the 15YO Women's Shot Put with a mark of 14.84m.
Pentathlon Excellence
The pentathlon events highlighted the athletes' versatility:
Lily Stroda excelled in the 15 YO Women's Pentathlon amassing 3223 points.
Acknowledging Podium Finishers
Beyond the gold medalists, several other athletes earned their spot within the top three, bringing back even more hardware to BC.
Adrianna Buitelaar from Valley Royals placed third in the 15YO Women's 2000m with a time of 6:24.49.
Jackson Brhelle placed third in the 15YO Men's 100m with a time of 11.68 into a -5.1 head wind.
Derek Frimpong of Golden Ears Athletics displayed his speed in the 15 YO Men's 300m event, securing second place with a time of 36.36.
Payton Heer from Kamloops Track and Field Club jumped 1.58 meters for silver in the 15 YO Women's High Jump.
Maella Hodgson of Ocean Athletics claimed second place in the U18 Women's F 3000m, with a time of 9:49.02.
Nelle Leifsoens of Powell River placed third in the 15YO Women's 1500m Steeplechase with a mark of 5:03.60.
Alexia Latore from Universal Athletics Club demonstrated her speed in the 15YO Women's 200m event, securing bronze with a time of 25.32 seconds.
Mark Molina from Valley Royals secured second place in the U18 Men's 1500m crossing the finish line at 04:03.5 and third in the 800m with a time of 1:55.14.
Samuel May from Valley Royals clinched third in the U18 Men's 2000m Steeplechase with a time of 06:02.3.
Arjun Sandhu of Vancouver Thunderbirds claimed third place in the 15YO Men's 1200m, crossing the finish line at 3:11.86.
Talia Phangura placed second in the 15YO Women's Discus with a mark of 33.50 meters; she also placed third in the hammer throw with a mark of 44.80m.
Lily Stroda continued her busy weekend, showcasing her talent in the 15 YO Women's event, clinching second with a distance of 4.97 meters.
Marlena Tresnjo from NorWesters excelled in the U18 Women's Heptathlon, earning silver with a total of 4545 points.
Zoe Unger from Valley Royals excelled in the U18 Women's 2000m Steeplechase securing silver with a time of 7:13.80.
Kayden U-Ming from Comox Valley Cougars showcased his talent in the U18 Men's Javelin, placing second with a distance of 63.42 meters.
Rhys Beaudoin of the Nanaimo Track and Field club earned bronze in the 15YO Men's 1500m Steeplechase with a time of 4:29.94
- Brent Alec of the Vancouver Thunderbirds earned silver in the U18 Men's High Jump with a mark of 2.01m.
- Chase Longley threw 55.28m in the 15 YO Men's Hammer Throw for silver
- Hayley Martin placed second in the U18 Women's 400mH with a time of 1:02.50
- Ethan Moran placed third in the 15YO Men's 100mH with a time of 14.18 and third in the 200mH with a time of 25.97
- Caidyn Maver of the Kajaks jumped a height of 1.95m to take home bronze in the U18 Men's High Jump
Fun with the Relays
The BC-Yukon Team placed third in the 15YO Men's 1600m Sprint Medley with a time of 3:42.57 seconds
The BC-Yukon Team placed third in the U18 Women's 4x400m Relay with a time of 3:58.77 seconds
The BC-Yukon Team placed fourth in the U18 Women's 4x100m relay with a time of 48.65 seconds
The BC-Yukon Team placed fifth in the 15YO Women's 4x100m relay with a time of 50.94 seconds
The BC-Yukon Team placed ninth in the 15 YO Men's 4x400m Relay with a time of 3:33.04 seconds.
That is now a wrap from the 2023 season! We will see you shortly for cross country season!