Kionae Roberts, a 14-year-old sprinter, will be representing Prince George in the BC Summer Games at Masich Place Friday and Saturday.
Roberts, a member of the Prince George Track & Field Club (PGTF), recently came back from the BC High School Championships with a win in the 400 metre race with a time of 58.91.
She also placed fourth in the 100 metre and 200 metre sprints.
“For the 400 metre heat, I was really, really nervous and I almost started crying but as soon as the gun went off I was busy focusing so I only saw the finish line and knew I have to get there and I had to keep pushing and pumping my arms,” Roberts said, who attends Duchess Park Secondary School.
“For the finals I knew what to expect. My first race on the first day was the 400 metre so I didn’t know what to expect in the heat.”
It was her first ever provincial competition, she added.
“So for the finals I knew what I needed to do and I knew the other girls’ times,” Roberts said. “So I was trying to get a personal best and I was really scared the girl in second would beat me and I thought ‘I didn’t work this hard to get beaten and get second – I need to go!’ So then there was one person at the last corner of the race and they were yelling at the people behind me but I thought they were yelling at me to watch out so I thought the girl was really close to me so I think that’s what really helped me get my PB because that person yelled and scared me so I kept going.”
After she realized she had won the race she cried with joy, she added.
“I was just so shocked I came first,” Roberts said.
PGTF Coach Lauren Matheson knew Roberts was a special athlete when she started with the club years ago.
“Kionae is an excellent athlete,” Matheson said. “After provincials she was able to get that insight she needed to realize how great of an athlete she truly is and she got to learn about herself and her potential in this sport. She’s very focused on her goals and very dedicated as an athlete – she never misses a practice. She has a very bright future. This was a great time of discovery for her. She had never competed outside of Prince George before and for her to go to her first out-of-town meet, attending the BC High School provincials, and coming home with a gold medal is just so impressive and I think she’ll continue to learn more about herself in the upcoming weeks and I’m so excited to see her compete in the upcoming BC Summer Games.”
Roberts, who started running when she was three years old, is getting used to the big meets this year, having participated in the BC Junior Development Jamboree a couple of weeks ago in Kamloops as well. She participated in the 100m with a fifth place finish, 200m and 300m sprints where she placed third in each.
Roberts said she’s ready for the BC Summer Games challenge.
“I’m looking forward to running on my home track but my dad warned that I shouldn’t expect to be number one here,” Roberts said. “I’m just focused on getting a PB, doing the best I can and just working on things I need to improve on – like coming out of the blocks faster. I am nervous because there’s going to be a lot of people but I need to remember to focus on what I’m doing and not what other people are doing. I’ve done pretty good this season and I just want to do my best.”
