‘It all depends on me’
team for the event.
She’s racked up a number of strong finishes already this season. Hergett claimed two firsts at the 2017 Atlantic Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Stellarton in July 22 and 23 in 200m and 400m in the female 18-19 age division, and claimed gold at the Nova Scotia Schools Athletic Federation (NSSAF) provincial championships in June for the senior girls’ 800m.
“She is the top Nova Scotia junior runner in the 800m,” said coach Ralph Williams, who has been coaching Hergett for two years now as a member of the Valley Athletics Club.
Smith said he mentioned the possibility of qualifying for the Canada Games team to Hergett last year.
“She is talented enough,” he said. thought she could do well.”
Hergett set making the team as her goal. “The times I was running last year needed to improve a lot,” she said in an interview, crediting her coach with helping to achieve the goal.
“Ralph has been a big help,” said Hergett, adding that he’s helped her improve her running times through exercise and training techniques.
“He believed in me and helped me make the team even when I didn’t believe I could do it.”
Hergett flew out on July 27 with the rest of Team Nova Scotia to Winnipeg.
“I’m very excited to be going,” said Hergett. “I’m excited to do my best and enjoy the experience of national competition.”
The Canada Games’ track and field events begin on July 31 and conclude on Aug. 4. Hergett will be competing on Aug. 1 and 4. The games end on Aug. 13. “I years. She said being a middle-distance runner has always held the greatest interest for her.
“For the most part, it’s me pushing myself to do my best. It all depends on me,” she said.
Hergett graduated from Horton High in June, and will be going St. FX in the fall, where she plans to continue running track.
“She will be an asset to varsity team,” said Williams. “She should be in contention for top track athlete at St. FX,”
He noted that if Hergett decides to continue her track career, she will still be eligible to compete at the next Canada Games in 2021.
Several other tracks athletes from the Annapolis Valley are also on the 58-member track team roster. In para-athletics, Ben Brown, of Cambridge, will be competing in 200m, 400m and 1500m events. From Windsor, Noah James will be competing in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay. Also competing from Windsor is Dan Lord (4x100mrelay). Kentville distance runner Timothy Longley (1500m and 800m) is also on the team.