Staff
The University of Windsor was host for the 2018 Athletics Ontario Provincial Track and Field Championships on Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22.
Weather was a combination of torrential downpours to overcast skies with comfortable 20’C temperatures, and light winds. On Saturday morning it rained so hard that with all the rain on the track, it was difficult for runners in the steeplechase event to actually see the water pit they had to jump into. The Georgian Bay Coyotes sent four athletes to compete, and fortunately the weather was favourable for their races.
The Coyotes’ weekend began with the Girls U16 1200m on Saturday afternoon. Hailey Abbott, a Grade 8 Collingwood student, began with a personal best time of 3:48.39, as she ran a very aggressive race and crossed the line in 6th spot. Teammate Olivia Karn, a Grade 9 Coldwater student, struggled in that race as she stopped the clock at 4:10.37, placing 23rd.
Ethan Pentland, a Grade 9 Durham student, also ran an aggressive race in his Boys U16 1200m event. He went out with the lead pack and took the lead with 300m to go. He was caught on the final stretch as he placed 5th in a very close finish. His time of 3:16.95 was only 0.05 seconds off his best time. Spencer Book, a Grade 10 Meaford student, finished the day for the Coyotes as he stepped up to the line in the U18 1500m Boys race. He had a great first lap, and fell back in the middle third of his race. His strong last 300m moved him up to place 23rd in a time of 4:23.02, just a few seconds off his outdoor season’s best time.
Sunday was also a strong day for the Coyotes. Hailey Abbott raced in the Girls U16 2000m event. In the first 200m of her race one girl fell with a pack of girls around her. Abbott alertly dodged the pile-up and ran to another personal best time by 8 seconds with her 4th place finish of 6:52.69.
The afternoon had the 800m races underway. Olivia Karn ran a stronger race as she competed in the Girls U16 event. She finished with a strong kick in the last 50m to take 19th spot in 2:30.93. Ethan Pentland ran another aggressive race in his attempts to break the elusive 2:00 barrier in his Boys U16 800m. He placed 4th overall in a very fast race and fell just short of breaking 2:00 as he cross the line in 2:00.86, only 0.76 seconds off his best time. Spencer Book also ran in the Boys U18 800m. He went out in perfect pace over the first 600m to break 2:00 again, but struggled just a bit in the last 200m. He still ran a very solid 2:01.47 to take 12th spot.
These four Coyotes are now on a well-deserved break before switching over to their Fall cross country training in early August. The team will be taking 24 of their Grade 8 and under members to Hamilton on July 28-29 for the MTA Provincial Track and Field Championships.
For more information about the team, check out their website at www.georgianbaycoyotes.com.
Photo: Hailey Abbott placed 4th in the 2000m and 6th in the 1200m, running two personal best times, at the AO Track and Field Champs
