B.C. athletes shine at Oregon Relays
TERRIFIC ON THE TRACK: Young Zion Corrales-Nelson leads the way with wins in three different distances
The big news this week in Eugene, Ore., the track and field capital of North America, came Thursday when the IAAF announced that the 2021 World Outdoor Track and Field championships had been awarded to the city known as TrackTown USA.
The way Zion Corrales-Nelson ran this weekend in Eugene, a place that is starting to become her second home, maybe she’ll be a part of it all six years down the road.
Heading up a hugely successful B.C. contingent of high schoolers competing in the Oregon Relays at historic Hayward Field over the weekend was the Grade 11 sprinter from Burnaby’s St. Thomas More Collegiate.
Corrales-Nelson completed the sprinter’s version of the triple-crown weekend, winning the 100 metres (12.15), 200 metres (24.75) and 400 metres (57.03) against a star-studded West Coast field, running on the same track she competed on this past summer when she represented The Philippines at the IAAF world junior championships.
“I’ve been to Hayward Field a lot of times,” Corrales-Nelson told the The Eugene Register-Guard.
“I feel like I know this place inside out. It’s a nice track. I just want to bring everything to the table, especially early in the season.”
Corrales-Nelson wasn’t alone, as B.C. girls announced their quality throughout not only sprints and middle distance, but in the field as well, with 14 top-three finishes.
In the 400 metres, Lauren D’Agnolo of Victoria’s Reynolds was third (59.74) and Jessica Williams of Semiahmoo fourth (58.00). Danielle Steer, the fast-rising 10th grader from Surrey’s Elgin Park, won the 800 metres (2:16.46), while another 10th grader, reigning B.C. high school crosscountry champion Hannah Bennison of Vernon Secondary, finished second in the 3,000 metres (9:46.45) and fourth in the 1,500 (4:36.96).
In field events, Camryn Rogers of McMath forged double gold with victories in the hammer (53.82 metres) and shot put (12.08 metres).
Giving B.C. a podium sweep in the hammer were Chanell Botsis of Dr. Charles Best (52.81) and Chilliwack’s Tasha Willing (47.06).
Willing also finished second in the shot put at 11.55, and Botsis was second in the discus (37.29). Brittni Wolczyk of Port Coquitlam’s Archbishop Carney was second in javelin (44.39 metres), while Robyn Buckingham of Walnut Grove was second in the high jump (1.63 metres).
B.C.’s boys’ contingent was smaller in numbers, but gave every indication that they will make middle distance a highlight at the provincial high school championships later this outdoor season. Taylor Lyman of Reynolds was in top form, winning the 800 metres (1:54.16) in a race that saw Dover Bay’s Thomas Oxland third (1:55.31) and Reid Muller of Pitt Meadows fourth (1:55.54).
Muller finished second in the 1,500 metres (3:58.01) and Lyman third (3:59.34).