Three members of the Vernon Triple A Track club soared in the B.C. Athletics Junior Development Championships for athletes nine to 13 years old last weekend in Kamloops.
Jared Sexsmith, 13, of Lumby, led the way with a gold in high jump, silver in javelin and fourth in the long jump.
“That’s the second year in a row Jared finished first in the high jump at this championship meet,” said his coach Ian Cameron.
“To win, he took one jump to clear 145cm, one to jump 150, one to jump 155, and one to jump 160. In the end two athletes jumped 160, but when it only takes you four jumps to get there, you win.”
Vernon nine-year-old sensation Caden Danbrook, coached by Susan Brown, set personal bests by collecting a silver in the 60-m hurdles (11.77 seconds) and bronze medals in the 60 metres (10.34 sec) and long jump (3.15m) and fourth in the 100m (16.48 sec).
Lumby 13-year-old Desiree Gosselin, coached by Brent Helland, finished fourth in both the 800-m (2:36.67) and the 1200-m (4:07.06).
Two weekends earlier, the Vernon club was well represented in the B.C. Athletics Championships for athletes 14 years and older at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam.
Armstrong’s Ella Brown, coached by Cameron, competed in the Youth age group (16/17) and finished eighth in the 200-m, second in the B Final of the 100 (eighth overall), and fourth in the triple jump (an event she just took up this year) with a leap of 10.64 metres.
Tyra Gilbert, also of Armstrong and coached by Cameron, was in the Midget age group (14-15) and placed fifth in the 200 hurdles.
In the 80-m hurdles, Gilbert won her heat in 12.80 seconds, and struck silver in the final in 12.92 seconds. Her 12.80 in the heats was the fastest time of the day.
“Considering this is her first year training seriously for the hurdles, that’s an incredible result,” said Cameron.
Call Helland at 542-2041 for further information on the track club.