Thunderbirds Soar at BC High School Championships

Thunderbirds were prominent at the provincial high school championships held on May 30th and 31st at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. For some this was an opportunity to build on past successes, for many it resulted in new personal records, and it also gave many an insight to a major meet. Overall there our Thunderbird athletes exhibited great composure and fortitude, finishing their events strongly.

Among the highlights of the mens division , congratulations to Ross Enns for winning the mens decathlon, Tim Smith for winning the mens 400, and James Barnes, Simon Maas and Braden Neufeld for setting new PR’s in the 800, 1500 and 3000 m respectively. 

Ross Enns Men’s Decathlon 5886 - 1st

Smith, Tim Men’s 400 m 50.30 - 1st
Barnes, James Men’s 800 m 1:59.27
Maas, Simon Men’s 1500 m 4:21.09 
Neufeld, Braden Men’s 3000 m 9:35.09 

Enns, Ross Men’s discus 38.59m 
Enns, Ross Men’s Javelin 49.50m 


In the women’s division, Katherine Digby running her first steeplechase won the 1500m steeplechase and placed 4th in the women’s 3000m . In the women’s 800, the Thunderbirds fielded 4 runners in a field of 26. Other strong performances included:

Douglas, Danielle 100 M Women 13.14 
Douglas, Danielle 200 M Women 26.78
McKenzie, Carmanah 400 M Women 1:02.15 

Gillespie, Lauren Women’s 800 M 2:22.45 
Pomfret, Kendra 2:23.18
Marpole-Bird, Monica 2:35.93 
Kourilova, Anna 2:50.89 

Ling, Grace Women’s 1500M 5:17.25 
Kourilova, Anna 5:38.92 

Digby, Katherine 1500M Steeplechase 5:15.28 - 1st

Digby, Katherine Women’s 3000M 10:34.76 
Rippel, Noa 11:38.51 

In the Grade 8/9 Invitational there were strong performances from our up and coming athletes. Kansas McKenzie won the girls 3000m , came 3rd in the 800m and placed 6th in the 1500m with personal bests in all 3 events. Peggy Noel came 3rd in the 3000m (PR) and 10th in the 1500 m. In the boys distance events, Will Cliff came 3rd in the 3000 m (PR) and 10th in the 1500. Newcomer Bashir Khan placed second in the high jump. •

McKenzie, Kansas Girl’s 800m 2:22.15 - 3rd
Gravel, Christian Boy’s 800m 2:10.45 

McKenzie, Kansas Girl’s 1500m 5:04.23 
Noel, Peggy 5:15.00 

Gravel, Christian Boy’s 1500 m 4:32.49 - 6th
Cliff, Will 4:41.46 
Moore, Galen 4:50.44 

McKenzie, Kansas Girl’s 3000 m 10:58.15 - 1st
Noel, Peggy 11:09.06 - 3rd

Cliff, Will Boys 3000 m 9:29.74 - 1st
Moore, Galen 10:08.80 

Khan, Bashir Boys High Jump 1.70m 
Powrie, Jake Boys discus 25.74m