South Delta Sun Devils track and field program sure knows how to make up for lost time.
Competing for the first time in two years due to the pandemic, the Sun Devils have qualified 20 athletes for next weekend’s provincial championships at McLeod Athletic Park in Langley. It’s the largest contingent of athletes headed to the showcase meet in decades. Qualifying was based on results at the inaugural South Fraser Championships in South Surrey, featuring schools from Delta, Richmond and Surrey.
“We've been pretty thrilled to see the resilience of some kids who haven't competed all this time,” said SDSS track coach Gatlin Saip.
Gemma Dumas set the tone for the entire team by winning the senior girls 800 metres and also earning second place finishes in the 1,500m and 400m. That was in addition to anchoring the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams.
It was a golden meet for Aiden Turner with victories in the pole vault, sprint hurdles and discus. He will for certain be a podium favourite in Langley.
Declan Dunn set a new person best and anchored the senior boys 4x100 relay team to a second-place finish.
Isla Stewart will head to the provincials with the top qualifying leap in the senior girls high jump, thanks to clearing 1.68 metres at the South Frasers. She will be joined by Mia Baldauf and SDSS volleyball standout Myah Cressy. Baldauf also won the long jump at the zone meet.
Lisa De David booked her ticket to Langley by winning the junior girls javelin throw.
Jackson Maccubbin-Lowrey made an impressive showing in the senior boys 1500m as well as anchoring the 4x400m relay team. His mental toughness and grit was on display as he passed four runners in the final leg of the relay.
Jade De Fondaumiere qualified for provincials by coming second in the junior girls 400m and fourth in the 800m.
Elliot Loveless set new personal best times in the senior boys’ 400m and 800m to advance to the provincials. He also joins Diego Fernandez, Maccubbin and Dunn on the 4x100 relay team.
Other qualifiers for provincial championships include: Sofia Petz (sprint hurdles), Teila Noble (senior girls 4x100m and 4x400m relays), Katrina Staley (senior girls 4x400m relay), Hattie Lundie (senior girls 4x100m relay), Ava Lappin (senior girls 4x100m and 4x400m relays), Kira Denney (senior girls 400m and 4x400m relay), Maya Schenk (junior girls 4x100m relay), Barunka Sibertova (junior girls 4x100m relay) and Gemma Houghton (junior girls 4x100m relay).
