The Nanaimo Track and Field Club hosted the Elwood Wylie Meet May 28 and 29. The usually annual event had been on hold since 2019 because of Covid-19. (Dan Marshall/NanaimoNewsNOW)
On Track Again

Elwood Wylie Meet returns for Nanaimo Track and Field Club

May 31, 2022 | 7:19 PM

NANAIMO — After a two year absence the Elwood Wylie Meet came back to the Rotary Bowl last weekend.

The track and field event on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29 served as a qualifier for the BC Summer Games for the U16 level, but competitors from ages nine to 90 plus were eligible.

For athletes like NDSS Grade 11 discus thrower Gill Parcher it was a thrill getting back in action.

“It was exciting to see the meet return in the same form as it was pre-Covid-19, and to see how all the work done in practice paid off in competition.”

Nanaimo athletes won six gold medals as well as seven silver and eight bronze.

Fifteen year old Lucy Russell was the winner of gold medals in long jump and pole vault while also collecting bronze medals in the 100 and 200 metre races.

Her 2.66 metre in the pole vault was also a new personal best.

“I had a bad start to the season because of an injury so coming to compete at the Elwood Wylie meet was a good experience.”

Niall O’Hara had the top boys performance winning the 1500 metre steeplechase with a time of 4:48.14.

O’Hara also captured a silver medal in the 800 metre, and a bronze medal in the 1200 metre.

Other gold medals came from Gavin Esleyer in the 300 metre race, Brea Gillette in the 1500 metre steeplechase and Hunter Shurniak in hammer throw.

Esleyer also took second place in the 100 metre, Gillette finished second in the 1200 metre and third in the 2000 metre while Shurniak earned another silver medal in javelin, and a bronze medal in triple jump.

The other Nanaimo silver medals came from Ava Gauthier in the 1500 metre steeplechase and the 2000 metre race, and Annika McMinn for javelin.

McMinn also picked up a bronze medal in hammer throw, with other third places finishes for Shae-Lynn Robinson in the 300 metre and Jenna Bunston in shot put.

Those who qualify for BC Summer games will be heading to Prince George July 21 to 24

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