Local track and field athletes James O’Kane and Cameron Paulson recently returned with some impressive results at a track meet in Trail over the weekend.
Paulson, 13, competed in the 300-metre and 1,200-metre race and gave a great effort in both events, according to O’Kane, who also serves as coach.
Paulson, who has just started training with the East Kootenay Track and Field Club, dug deep on a day with stifling temperatures to finish second place in his long-distance race.
O’Kane, who is the head coach of the EKTFC, even entered into a few events in the 20-plus age category, and set a new meet record for the high jump and also placed first in the long jump with a leap of 1.80 metres.
O’Kane said a lot of EKTFC athletes couldn’t attend because of prior commitments, but he hopes to have a bigger turnout at future events.
“This is a greet meet to have Cranbrook show some of the great talent we have and put it to the test against athletes from the Kootenay region,” said O’Kane.
The Trail meet attracted competitors from communities such car Fernie, Revelstoke and Nelson, while also getting some athletes from the Lower Mainland
The EKTFC is currently meeting at T.M Roberts Elementary every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 6 p.m, with an optional practice on Sundays from 1 p.m to 3:30 p.m.
The club will shift their activities to the College of the Rockies when the track opens up on May 10th.