Roberts Creek is home to more national championships - this time in track and field.
Brianna Kane won three NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships on the March 4/5 weekend in Geneva, Ohio helping to lead the Simon Fraser University (SFU) women's team to an overall second place finish in the standings.
On day one of the championships March 4, she was part of the winning 4x800m relay team along with Jessica Smith of North Vancouver, Helen Crofts of West Vancouver and Olivia Brennan of Regina posting a time of 8:57.35, besting their 2010 winning mark by 10 seconds.
In the 600m, she won her heat in a time of 1:33.90, which placed her into the final on March 5. Her torrid pace on the track continued as she captured the 600m title outrunning Oklahoma Baptist's Nikita Tracey in a personal best time of 1:32.80.
"The 600 was my first individual title and I really wanted to get the win in my last season," said Brianna. "My goal all season was to win the 600m at nationals. When I crossed the finish line I was just so excited. It was an awesome feeling."
SFU track and field head coach Britt Townsend said she sensed a different attitude from Brianna going into the meet.
"There was a real strong confidence to her approach," said Townsend. "She ran right from the front and ran with determination. I was very happy for her."
But Brianna was far from done as she won her third title teaming up with Smith, Crofts and Breanne Carter from Edmonton to win the distance medley relay.
"It's so cool to be a part of the relays at SFU because the history is so rich," said Brianna. "The distance medley relay was the last race of the meet. We were all really tired, so for us to come together and put forth such a great race was really awesome.
"The SFU team is just great. We're all so close, we're friends on and off the track. It's just been a fantastic experience."
Brianna's sister Michaela, in her second season with SFU, battled through a recent leg injury to qualify for the 600m final after posting a time of 1:36.38 in her preliminary heat. She finished eighth in the final with a time of 1:37.25.
Brianna said it's been fantastic racing with her sister and she predicts big things for her younger sibling.
"She wasn't doing a lot of running in high school prior to coming to SFU, but I knew she would be great. I think she has accomplished more than some people thought she would," said Brianna. "This is only her second season, so she still has lots of races to go. I know she will win a lot of races in the years to come."
Michaela said considering the circumstances, she was happy with her finish.
"It was tough mentally dealing with that injury, so I had to get in the right frame of mind," she said. "I was pleased to make the final, so I can't be too disappointed with how I did."Michaela said she is healthy now and is starting to train for the outdoor season which is just a few weeks away.
"There were ups and downs with the indoor season, but I'm hoping for some redemption for sure with the outdoor season," she said. "I want to qualify for nationals, that's my goal."
Another Coast athlete is also impressing this season at SFU. Gibsons Kim Doerksen is in her first year with the team and although she didn't qualify for the indoor nationals, Townsend said she has high hopes for her in the future.
"Kim is more of a longer distance runner, but in her first year she improved in cross country. She is incredibly dedicated and will have success," she said. "I think she has a big upside. The goal now is to continue working on that upside, improve her training and that will improve her results."
