Nate Paris was one of three gold medalists for Nanaimo at the National Youth Track and Field Championships. He won gold in high jump, silver is pentathlon, and bronze in 100m hurdles (Cristi Lundman)

By Dan Marshall

Nanaimo Athletes Golden

Three gold medals for Nanaimo athletes at track and field youth nationals

Aug 14, 2019 | 11:09 AM

SYDNEY, NS – Three athletes from the Nanaimo Track and Field Club took home gold medals at the youth nationals in Nova Scotia over the weekend.

Nate Paris won gold in the high jump, silver in pentathlon, and bronze in the 100m hurdles.

The 15-year-old was the only competitor to clear 1.80m in the high jump to grab first place.

Paris earned silver in pentathlon which is a combined score from 100m hurdles, long jump, shut put, high jump and the 1000m race.

Despite scoring no points in the long jump the NDSS student won the hurdles and high jump, and finished second in both the shut put and 1000m.

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In taking home the bronze medal in the 100m hurdles Paris scored a personal best time of 14.05 seconds.

Reflecting on his performance Paris gave credit to the many volunteers who have helped him in Nanaimo over the years, adding he was proud to represent both BC and the Nanaimo Track and Field Club.

“Competing at nationals on such a big stage against athletes from across the country was thrilling. I was pleased to achieve multiple personal best performances in my final and biggest meet of the year.”

Racewalker Olivia Lundman, 16, not only won gold she also set a championship record time of 14 minutes 59:08 seconds.

This is the second year in a row Lundman has come back from nationals with a medal, but in 2019 she broke the 3000m championship record by a full 13 seconds.

“Winning gold and breaking a record is a reflection on not only my own hard work and training, but also the support of my community. NTFC, my coaches, my family, organizations like Pacific Sport and even Dover Bay Secondary. I feel really proud to show everyone what they helped me do.”

The result caps of a strong season for Lundman who this summer made her first international appearance at the North American, Central American, and Caribbean Championships in Mexico.

Sonya Urbanowicz, 15, captured gold in pole vault with a national championship record jump of 3.30m.

This comes on the heels of her BC record of 3.22m set in the provincial championship last month.

Urbanowicz also earned a fourth place finish in javelin at the nationals as well.

The other Nanaimo Track and Field Club medal went to Keaton Heisterman, 17, who was awarded the silver medal in the U18 800m race.

Heisterman finished with a time of 1:54:23 just .41 seconds behind the leader.

In a dramatic end to the race he also had to dive through the finish line to beat out the third place finisher.

Nanaimo athletes in all earned three golds, two silvers, and a bronze at youth nationals making the 2019 event one of the most success in local track and field club’s history.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77