Setting new records
Records broken on opening day of Highland Region track and field championships in Sydney
The opening day of the Highland Region track and field championships at Atlantic Field on Friday saw a number of records broken in various competitions.
In the girls 1,500-metre junior run, Ella Bottomley of Whitney Pier Memorial set a new record in the category, finishing the race with a time of 5:30.02, breaking the previous record set by Caden MacLeod of 5:40.95 in 2016.
Meanwhile, in the boys shot put 5-kilogram intermediate division, Cody MacNeil of Rankin School of the Narrows set a new standard at 11.32-metres, breaking the old record held by Cameron MacKinnon at 9.42-metres.
MacKinnon, who also participated in the event, beat his personal best with a 10.79-metre toss, while Jayden Muise (Dalbrae Academy – 10.58-metres) and Broderick Murphy (Cape Breton Highlands Academy – 10.26 metres) finished third and fourth, respectively.
Maddie Campbell of Baddeck Academy had an impressive showing at the event on Friday, breaking a record in the girls’ discus throw, 1.0-kilogram senior category, at 32.18-metres, snapping the record set by Mira Straub of 32.20 metes set in 2012. She also set a new standard in the girls’ high jump senior event at 1.62-metres, breaking Riley Van den Hueval’s record of 1.61 metres set in 2014. Meanwhile, Campbell also finished first in the girls 80metre hurdles senior category with a time of 15.07.
The Highland Region track and field championships will continue today with events beginning at 10 a.m. at the Atlantic Field.
The districts and regionals are a lead-in to an even bigger event next weekend when Cape Breton will play host to the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation track and field championships held at Cape Breton University, June 1-2.
In total, 1,100 athletes from 150 schools from across the province will compete in that event.
Full results from Friday’s action at the track and field championships on B4.