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www.terracestandard.com
SPORTS
Wednesday, June 3, 2015 Terrace Standard
TERRACE STANDARD
ANNA KILLEN
(250) 638-7283
Terrace track sees success at zones
ANNA KILLEN PHOTO
TERRACE PEAKS gym manager Keira Almas with new competitve coach and program coordinator Karl McPherson.
Peaks pick up coach AFTER NEARLY six months without a competitive coach, the Terrace Peaks Gymnastics Club is now poised to aim for peak performance levels with the hiring of veteran coach Karl McPherson. The 32-year veteran of the sport began his career as a gymnast and coached in Ontario before coming to B.C. in 1991. He’s produced provincial champions, coached kids to nationals and American National Collegiate Athletic Association teams, been named coach of the year, and acted as a judge and coaching evaluator. “I’ve done pretty much everything,” said McPherson. After spending several years in White Rock, McPherson decided a change of pace was necessary.
“In the Lower Mainland I was in a very tough zone. There are 13 clubs in zone 3 and you’re 20 minutes away,” he said. “It’s very, very political. I just wanted to be in a small town where there’s just one gym club to focus on the sport.” He decided it was time to explore options in December – just when previous Peaks head coach Ambra Marak was taking her leave – so the timing couldn’t have been better. While the club was initially worried about coach recruitment, those fears went away when club manager Kiera Almas saw the proposal from McPherson, someone she had worked with in Vancouver. Here since April, McPherson likes what he sees in Terrace so far.
“There’s a lot of very young kids, so in terms of future development there is that group to pull from,” he said. “There’s more activity up here for kids, they’re not sitting in front of the TV or computer playing games all of the time. There are more opportunities to become physically literate.” Both he and Almas say the transition has been smooth – and that they have a plan laid out for September, when the competitive season begins. “It’s been really good working relationship,” she said. “We have very similar coaching philosophies and ideas ... I’m really looking forward to September.”
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ALL OF Terrace’s track and field athletes saw success at track and field zone finals in Smithers two weekends ago. Every athlete placed in two or more events and the Grade 8 team, junior team, and senior team placed second in their categories in a field of nine teams. Tyler Dozzi, Patrick Holmberg, and Tea Archibald qualified for provincials, which take place in Langley this week. Jackson Netzel won a medal for best performance by a Grade 8 athlete, and Tyler Dozzi won a medal for best performance by a junior athlete – setting two meet records in the 1500m and 3000m. Dozzi also won a medal for outstanding performer. Senior athlete, Tea Archibald, won a medal for best performance by a senior athlete. Also setting a meet record was Amber Schulte in javelin. Full results for Skeena: Meghan Bowles 3rd 800m. 4x100 3rd, 4x400 1st Boadicea Feddersen long jump 3rd, 4x400 1st, 4x100 3rd Jackson Netzel 1500m 2nd, 100m hurdles 1st, long jump 2nd, discus 3rd Spencer Schulte 800m 1st, 1500m 3rd, javelin 3rd Zoe Pastershank 80 m hurdles 3rd, triple jump 1st, discus 2nd, 4x100 3rd, 4x400 1st Michaela Yeo 2nd 100m, 2nd 200m, 1st 1500m, long jump 1st, 4x100 3rd, 4x400 1st Caledonia: Tea Archibald 1st 100m, long jump 1st, triple jump 1st, discus 1st Eden Atkinson-Bruce 2nd longjump, 1st javelin Tyler Dozzi 1st 1500 (meet record) 1st 3000m (meet record) 1st steeplechase 1500 Patrick Holmberg 2nd 400m, 800m 3rd, 400 hurdles 1st, triple jump 2nd, javelin 1st Shivohn Peters 2nd javelin, 2nd discus, 3rd shot put Amber Schulte 1st javelin (meet record), 1st discus, 1st shot put
Huge weightlifting competition returns THIS SUNDAY there are sure to be bodies building on the success of last year’s inaugural weightlifting competition with the second annual Northwest Weightliting Competition at the North Coast gym. A chance for northwest B.C. bodybuilders to test out competition in a supportive, adrenaline-filled atmosphere, founder Adam Yawrenko’s goal of the competition acting as a stepping stone to sanctioned competitions has come to fruition over the last year and he expects this year will be even better. “My little engine that goes, goes. It’s
been quite inspirational for people,” said Yawrenko, of the several competitors who went onto larger, official competitions after last year’s event. “We’re going to have more people participating to go to the next level – and that’s what it’s all about, to get some awareness and enthusiasm. Get people to get a taste of competition.” Last year every competitor broke their personal record. “We’re expecting the same this year. It’s just the adrenaline,” Yawrenko said. The event, which includes benchpressing and dead lift
categories, allows athletes to see where they’re at. “In a competition atmosphere people can always do better if you’re a competitive person – it brings out that little bit more,” he said. The atmosphere in the gym during the competition doesn’t hurt either. “It’s just such camaraderie,” he said. “Everybody cheers for everybody. It’s not me against you or you against me, people just want you to do your best and do better than you did yesterday.” Yawrenko, who is using the sponsorship money from the competition to purchase pow-
erlifting equipment for the gym, only wants the best for his trainees and protégés – he’s worked with many of Sunday’s competitors and encouraged them to compete. “I open the door for them and it’s up to them how far they walk through it,” he said. “You have to have heart and that cannot be taught.” To that end, here’s a look at some of the people to watch on Sunday, June 7 – anybody is welcome to attend and “closet trainers” can sign up for the competition on the day. Weigh in is at 9 a.m., with a start time of 10 a.m.
Adam Yawrenko Leigh Kasum A 50-year-old breast cancer survivor, one of over 10 women competitors, is new to the sport and has excelled at training. Colton Carrita Sixteen and in a wheelchair,
“he has a great attitude and just loves training.” Yawrenko thinks he can go far. Dawson Kluss Last year’s teen winner went onto an International Powerlifting Federation international certified competition and broke two provincial records. Cindy Leighton Last year’s women’s champ went on to win gold in an IPF certified competition last fall and will be competing in the B.C. championships in a few weeks. Jason Oulette had the biggest deadlift last year went on to compete in the world championships in Las Vegas
and finished near the top in his class. Also on hand will be Ashley Whittington gym owner and new Mr. BC and best bodybuilder in B.C. this year. Tabatha Kirkegaard, who won 3rd in the bikini competition at the provincial championships and has a ticket to nationals. Dawn Mackay from Smithers won 2nd in the physique competition at the B.C. championships will be there – and may even compete. “There’s some high level athletes going to be attending,” said Yawrenko. “It’s nice to have their presence.”