On Saturday, June 22, a small contingent of Georgian Bay Coyotes Track Club runners travelled to Brampton to compete in an MTA Team Ontario Selection Meet at the Terry Fox Stadium in Chingaucousy Park.
The forecast was threatening large amounts of rain and possible thunderstorms, but the organizers got the day started on time and rolled the events along quickly in an effort to get it all in. It was a very successful day of racing for the Coyote Tykes and Atoms.
The day began with the 1200m Tyke race. All the boys and girls were placed on the track together to save time, and this proved to be a great opportunity for the Coyote runners. The three Coyotes racing in this age group, Iris Herman, Madeline Armstrong, and Easton Parrish, started out together and paced each other well for the first lap. Over the course of the three-lap race, they did spread out a little bit, but the smart pacing of their first lap paid off. They were all able to hold and even increase their speed throughout the race. Tyke boy Easton Parrish crossed the line in first place. Iris Herman took fourth place, knocking thirteen seconds off her previous best time, and Madeline Armstrong took sixth, while also achieving a six-second personal best. It was a great start to the day with all of the Coyote runners placing in the top half.
Next, the Coyotes’ dedicated group of four Atom girls, McKenna Marshall, Mila Dolan, Avery McPhatter, and Madelyn Moores, raced the 1500m. Mila Dolan got off to a quick start. She let herself relax a bit in the middle of the race, which left her with a lot in the tank for the last lap. She kicked hard for the last 300m and took four seconds off her previous best time. Madelyn Moores kept a smart and steady pace and smashed her personal best by over fourteen seconds. McKenna Marshall started out strong but had to ease up after the first 300m due to an injury. She remained positive and finished well. Avery McPhatter found her pace slowed a touch in the middle of the race, but she also picked it up nicely for the last lap and crossed the line having given it her all.
After the lunch break, Atom girl Madelyn Moores bravely stepped up to the line to race in the open 3000m run. She was the only Atom at the meet to try this event and she did a beautiful job of it. She had a controlled start and a solid pace throughout all seven and a half laps, managing a nice finishing burst at the end. She took home first place in the Atom division and posted a time of 14:16.61.
Tyke boy Easton Parrish was next to step to the line for the boys’ 800m race. He held back a bit during his first lap, finding it a bit challenging to navigate some passes, but managed to get to the front of the pack by the last 300m. He held onto the lead, earning himself another gold medal.
Coyotes Tyke girls Madeline Armstrong and Iris Herman were next to run the 800m race. Both girls looked mighty out on the track and they both put forth their best. Iris is newer to racing and her experiences so far this year are paying off. She was much more confident in her pacing and she pushed herself to achieve another massive personal best, while also claiming the third place medal.
The Coyotes finished the day with the Atom girls 800m race. Fourteen girls were placed on the waterfall line and our three Coyotes did well to get out cleanly and settle into the inside lane. Mila Dolan found herself in the middle of the pack, giving her extra motivation to dig in. She did just that. She ran back to back laps with no decrease in pace and she fought hard to finish with a Burlington Track Club runner who just managed to nose out Mila by .03 seconds. The rivalry resulted in Mila achieving a new personal best by eight seconds, while also securing sixth place.
It was a great day filled with successes and learning experiences. The Coyotes are back home training hard for the next race, the Flying Angels International Track and Field Championships.
For more information about the team, check out their website: www.georgianbaycoyotes.com
