Several track and field athletes who learned their chosen sport on the Sunshine Coast had exceptional seasons at the university level.
Brianna Kane and Bianca Gonzales, both from Roberts Creek, had wonderful freshman seasons with the Simon Fraser University track and field team.
"Both athletes made huge impacts on our program in their first year. They are great contributors and great team people," said SFU track and field coach Britt Townsen.
Brianna ran the 4x100 relay and 400 metres and tried her first few 800-metre events.
"She actually qualified for nationals in both the 400 and 4x100 and earned all-American honours in the 4x100," said Townsen. "She also qualified in the 800, but we decided on the other two this year. Brianna was recruited from her performances in the 400, and she also expressed a real interest in the 800. This event has always been strong in my program and she wanted to pursue this at SFU. I really believe Brianna has lots more to come in the following years, and I am excited to see what we can do with her in the 800."
Bianca also went to nationals in the three-kilometre steeplechase after starting the event just this year.
"She is a real fighter and also ran on our winning cross country team in the fall," added Townsen. "I recruited Bianca from competitive figure skating and this was her first real year of running. She has a great work ethic and competitive spirit, and I know she will continue to improve in the next few years in both cross country and track."
At the University of British Columbia, Creeker Shaun Stephens-Whale put in his first year with the cross country and track and field teams.
Marek Jedrzejek, head coach of the cross country and track team, was impressed with Shaun's work ethic and sees a bright future ahead.
"Shaun had a much better cross country season than he did on the track," said Jedrzejek. "He made the UBC varsity team and competed in the NAIA region one championships in the eight-kilometre event in Olympia, Wash. He has a lot of potential in endurance events. During the track season, he just started to learn the steeplechase. He didn't qualify for the nationals, but it's not easy for any first-year athlete to learn a new sport. I think he did very well and I have a lot of confidence that he will improve next year and be a big addition to our team."
Jenna Nestman, who grew up on the Coast, transferred to Kitsilano Secondary School a few years ago. She also competed in her first year with UBC.
According to Jedrzejek, Jenna battled quite a few injuries, but despite the setbacks, just missed out on qualifying for the nationals.
"She is a passionate and talented athlete and we are very happy to have her on the team," he said. "She was ranked in the top 16 for most of the season in the heptathlon. We're very happy to have them both here. They are very personable athletes and very coachable, and we're looking for more out both of them."
