Running with Canada’s best
P.E.I. will compete in the 4x100-metre relay tonight
Prince Edward Island will run in the 4x100-metre men’s relay A final tonight after setting a new provincial record in their heats on Monday.
The team of Zach Wilson, Owen MacFadyen, Daniel Whalen and Damon MacDonald ran 43.26 to finish third in their heat and qualify eighth for the eight-team A final.
The former provincial record was 43.56, but when it was set was not immediately available.
Coach Colin MacAdam, who is attending his ninth Canada Games, said there is no complacency among his sprinters after making the A final.
“They’re 100 per cent focused on (improving) what didn’t go 100 per cent (in the heat),’’ he said, including trying to improve a couple of passes.
The four athletes are making their first trip to the Canada Games while Wilson and MacFadyen, both Cornwall residents, are eligible to compete in the 2021 Games in Niagara, Ont. “That’s a young team,’’ MacAdam said. “When it’s your first time here it’s intimidating,”
He credited the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships with giving athletes a chance to compete at nationals. The Canada Games is the next step for athletes.
Island track and field athletes have set a number of personal bests during this week’s Games.
MacDonald and Bailey Smith each set personal best (PB) times in the 200 metre. MacDonald finished in 22.63 and Smith 24.67 in wind-aided times. Both will run in Friday’s B finals.
Malcolm Gilman’s new PB in the javelin is 48.25 to finish 10th in the 18-thrower field.
Triple jumper Tori Hogan set a new personal best of 9.98 while Kylee Wallace had one of her best jumps (10.47) in a couple of years.