44 -- Friday, April 11, 2014 -- THE NEWS - www.mapleridgenews.com
THE NEWS/sports
Section coordinator: Neil Corbett 604-467-1122 ext. 216
sports@mapleridgenews.com
Ramblers kick off track and field season Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Secondary boast strong local teams by Nei l Corbe tt Black Press
There were some impressive performances as the Maple Ridge Ramblers hosted the Nick Wilkes Meet, the first outdoor track and field meet of the new competitive season, on April 3. Ramblers coach Ken Elphick has a team of about 55 athletes, and both MRSS and the Pitt Meadows Marauders have strong local teams, he said. The Ramblers’ main strength is their female athletes, while Pitt’s boys are more likely to place. The Grade 8/9 girls 800m race was a highlight for the coach. Rambler Jamie Hennessey finished third, but she was right with Clayton Heights twins Christina and Julie Sevsek. Hennessey was a mere three-tenths of a second back of second place Julie, and the twins are two of the top middle distance runners in B.C. at their age group. Thomas Haney’s Madelyn Huston was also pushing for a top-three finish, and finished fourth. “That was a top race, in terms of their times,” said Elphick. Hennessey also took second in the 1,500m steeplechase. Elphick was also impressed by Pitt Meadows Grade 8 thrower Sienna Krause, who won both the shot put and the discus. In discus, her throw of 18.94 m was well ahead of the second place finisher, her teammate Mitra Teimouri. Jorrin Lenton of MRSS won the Grade 8 boys Javelin and also the shot put. Sara Hoffman was impressive in the Grade 9 girls sprint, as the Garibaldi athlete covered the 100m in a time of 13.66, and was the only competitor to go under 14 seconds at her level. Elise Carelse of MRSS was second in a time of 14.37 and Pitt’s Julie Ydenberg was third in 14.63, in a field of 12 runners. There were 16 competitors in the Grade 8 girls sprint, and the local content saw Pitt’s Kristen Lagerstrom finish second in a time of 14.07, and Emily Morley of MRSS third in 14.53. The Grade 8/9 boys 100m race saw two Thomas Haney runners atop a large field of 27 runners. Jayden Brown won in a time of 12.3 flat, and Eric Villanueva was right behind him in 12.34. Villanueva also won the Grade 9/10 boys long jump with a leap of 5.42 m, and MRSS’ Nick Cowley was third at five metres. Another Brown also won the Grade 8 boys long jump, clearing 4.86m. See Track, p46
Colleen Flanagan photos / THE NEWS
(Above) Maple Ridge students Eva Cowley, centre, and Bronte Elphick-Miner, right, run in the rain in the 80m hurdles at the annual Nick Wilkes Invitational. (Left) Thomas Haney Grade 8 Kate Meredith leaps in the high jump. (Below) Rambler Grade 11 Daniel Floyd throws in the senior boys javelin competition.
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Why “Food for Thought”?
This year’s Celebrate Earth Day theme was inspired by the 10th Anniversary of the Haney Farmers Market. For 10 years, the Market has gathered the community, promoted its artists & entrepreneurs, and brought the issue of food to the forefront. Bring a veggie for the Community Kitchen’s Stone Soup – served at 12noon on the Bandstand – don’t forget your bowl! Sample a variety of chilis from local restaurants in the Iron Chefs Challenge, 11am – 1pm, admission by donation to the Friends in Need Food Bank.
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Saturday, April 26th, 10am – 2pm
The Bandstand & Memorial Peace Park, Maple Ridge
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