Nine Whitehorse Schools Compete at Local Track and Field Event

A 200-meter temporary track was created around Shipyards Park for the competitions.

Hundreds of students from various Whitehorse schools attended a track and field event today at Shipyards Park.

Hundreds of students from various Whitehorse schools attended a track and field event today at Shipyards Park.

FH Collins Teacher Mattaeis Geisler says the Grade 5 and 6 school student's we're able to compete at a variety of sports for this years competition.

"All the standard track and field events are here, with the exception of discus. It's just a demo sport this year hoping to gain more interest. Next year, we'll make it a full event. Javelin, shotput and high jump and a broad jump pit are other sports here today." 

Executive Director of Yukon Schools Athletic Association Peter Grundmanis says the annual event is meant to be fun for the kids.

"This is one of the last events of the year. This is the Elementary Track and Field Meet and we have nine schools participating. Right now, we have about 350 kids (participating) and enjoying the sun,competition and races. This is something we do every year and we try and turn it into a fun day. At the same time, we do award ribbons because the kids like that. Hopefully this gives athletics in the Yukon a little bit of a boost." 

Grundmanis says choosing an alternate location for the track and field field meet this year was an easy decision.

"It's typically held where there is a track. The one at FH Collins has been ripped up to be replaced by a much better track with permanent markings.  We're looking forward to that track being in place in the following years.  When we went on a hunt for another space, Shipyard Park filled a lot of the bills. There's nicer fields out there, but if you look around you can see there's a nice null where kids can sit on...there's a concession stand and it's highly visible. People driving by get to see the kids in action."

Across the four categories for this years track meet, Grundmanis says almost 300 ribbons were given out for participating athletes.

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