For a change, the Sub Zero track and field meet didn't live up to its name.
Over the years, the event -- more often than not -- has unfolded in frigid conditions or under a deluge of hailstones. But, conditions on Saturday were perfect and that led to some impressive performances at Masich Place Stadium.
In girls competition, Prince George Track and Field Club athletes Lindsay King and Lauren Matheson were in great early-season form. King placed first in the 100-metre dash for 11-year-olds, with a winning time of 16.45 seconds. She was also golden in the 200m dash (33.89 seconds), 600m run (2:31.82) and the 1,000m run (4:22.51). Matheson, meanwhile, topped the field in the 300m dash for 13-year-olds. Her clocking in that race was 50.05 seconds. Matheson, with a leap of 3.78 metres, also soared to victory in the long jump.
For the boys, Owen Trepanier and Keiran Leboe were two of the PGTFC stars. Trepanier blitzed to victory in the 100m dash for 12-year-olds. He crossed the finish line in a time of 15.55 seconds. Also at the meet, he won the 300m dash (51.58 seconds) and the long jump (3.81m). As for Leboe, he stepped across the line first in the 100m dash for 13-year-olds (13.87 seconds). Leboe also powered to gold in the high jump (1.30m) and javelin (38.35m).
The Sub Zero, the first event of the year for local athletes, attracted 140 competitors from Prince George, Vanderhoof, Houston, Smithers, Terrace, Mackenzie, Tumbler Ridge and Quesnel. That level of participation was received positively by Brian Martinson, in his first full season as PGTFC president after the retirement of Tom Masich last year.
"This is as good as it has ever been," Martinson said. "We got a lot more kids from out west -- maybe fewer from Quesnel, but more from out west. And we didn't have any from the north, to speak of. I think a lot of it has to do with the cold. They are probably two weeks behind us up north so they're likely just starting their programs."
n Membership in the PGTFC currently stands at about 100, a significantly lower number than last season, when the club had about 150 athletes. Martinson expects numbers to climb in the coming weeks.
"It's mostly just that it's been so cool and people are waiting for it to warm up," he said.
The next event at Masich Place will be the north central district high school championships, May 19-20. Districts will be a qualifier for provincials, June 4-5 in Burnaby.
