Hard work pays off in rewards and for a group of eight Prince George Track and Field Club athletes that perk is a trip to Langley next weekend.
They will be there to compete in the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships.
The local qualifiers include 14-year-old Shelby Jansen (300 metre runner), 14-year-old Lauren Matheson (100 m runner), 15-year-old Emma Floris of Vanderhoof (100 m) 15-year-old Omar Median of Valemount (long jump, 100 m), 16-year-old Alex Nemethy of Vanderhoof (steeplechase), and Ryan Gaiesky (100 m hurdles, high jump).
Gaiesky met the provincial qualifying standards but was left off the B.C. team. Median is nursing a hamstring injury and might not be up to his full capabilities in the three-day Legion meet, which starts Aug. 9. Although she did not meet the qualifying criteria for the meet, 16-year-old Carlee Campbell will make the trip to Langley and is entered in high jump and triple jump.
The Legion meet will also test the throwing abilities of Kieran Leboe, a B.C. provincial team member. Leboe, 15, won gold in the provincial championships two weeks ago in Kamloops and won bronze in shotput, javelin and discus. The group of eight combined for nine of the 13 provincial championship medals the Prince George club won. They've been putting in extra time at Masich Place Stadium this summer, working out five days per week with club coaches Kris Gaiesky and Stephanie Gouin.
"Overall, this is one of the best groups you could coach and I know Steph [Prince George jumping coach Stephanie Gouin] would say the same thing," said Kris Gaiesky.
"I think for some this meet will be an eyeopener and we aren't expecting medals to come out of the group just yet. They will be battling athletes from across the nation with this one. Hopefully they will have some top-eight finishes."
