Phillip and Autumn Vannini were one of three Nanaimo Track and Field Club families with two different medal winners at BC provincials. (Phillip Vannini)

By Dan Marshall

All in the Family

Multi-athlete families share medal success for Nanaimo Track and Field Club at provincials

Jul 31, 2021 | 6:12 AM

NANAIMO — Local family connections highlighted a strong provincial championship for the Nanaimo Track and Field Club.

Siblings Nate and Lydia Paris each won gold in high jump, sisters Olivia and Annika Lundman were gold medalists in race walk and father and daughter combo Phillip and Autumn Vannini medaled in discus.

The provincial championships were held July 24 and 25 in Victoria, Langley and Kamloops.

In Langley 17-year-old Nate Paris cleared 2.09 metres which is the fourth best jump by a Canadian in his age group and ranks first in the Americas in the 2021 season.

He was just coming off an ankle injury but still won the competition by 16cm.

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“I was so happy to finally be able to compete and get back at it. I was thrilled for sister could go out there, compete and even win the high jump in her category.

Lydia Paris won the U16 event with a jump of 1.50 metres.

In Kamloops Phillip Vannini won gold in discus with a 36.36 metre performance, followed by a silver medal winning throw of 11.69 metres in men’s shot put.

His 16-year-old daughter Autumn took the bronze in U18 discus with a 28.49m toss.

It was the first time father and daughter had competed at the same provincials.

“We usually compete at Island meets together,” Autumn said. “He’s my coach and my teammate at the same time. I can be comfortable around him and give him some tips on his throws as well. Sometimes we notice things the other one doesn’t – we’re like a team.”

The race walk event for the Lundman sisters was held in Victoria.

For their gold medal performances 18-year-old Olivia finished the 5000m event in 24:29 while 15-year-old Annika completed the 1500m in 8:04.

Other notable performances for the Nanaimo club include a double medal effort from 17-year-old Sonya Urbanowicz.

She earned gold in the U18 pole vault with a 3.75 metre clearance and took bronze in the U18 100 metre with a personal best of 12:67.

Sam Morrison garnered a silver medal with a time of 29:31 in the U18 5000 metre race walk.

Nanaimo Track and Field Club athletes won six gold, two silver and five bronze medals at provincials.

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