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Lakers have good track year

Lakers senior track and field team has success in valley and provincial championships

The Pen High Lakers track and field team enjoyed its best season in years.

The Lakers sent 13 athletes to the B.C. High School Track and Field championships in Langley May 29-31.

“They did really well at the provincials,” said coach Tracey Cumming. “Some athletes had personal bests.”

Luke Grandbois earned a ribbon for his eighth place finish in race walking, a new event. Xavier Nadeau finished 10th in the steeplechase, while Logan Mend was 13th in javelin, Kyle Hooper 15th in the high jump and Taulbee Jack was 19th in long jump.

The group was so positive about their results that Cumming said they are already talking about next season.

The Lakers earned their way to provincials when the senior boys won the AAA Okanagan Valley championship at Kelowna’s Apple Bowl and the girls took third. Hooper was first in the high jump and third in the 100-metre dash, Mend was first in the javelin, Emily MacKay finished second in the 100-m dash, Richard Xiang third in the 1500-m and Nadeau was second in the steeplechase.

Hanna Lalonde took second in the 400-m run, Grandbois was second in the 800-m run and Jack finished third in the long jump

The Lakers swept the race walkers, the senior boys finished second in the 4x100 relay. The senior girls took second in the 4x100 relay and third in the 4x400 relay.

Cumming was assisted by Mike Townley, a retired teacher, who possesses knowledge in the sport.

“Mike was phenomenal,” said Cumming.