Valley Royals Track & Field Club

Our Valley Royals Distance Group had a fantastic time this past weekend at the Oregon Relays in Eugene Oregon. Taking place on historic Heyward Field, birthplace of Nike Corportation and home to the University of Oregon Ducks, our athletes represented us with distinction against some of the best high school competition in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Sam May had great races in both the 2K steeplechase (6:09.20), earning 4^th position, and the men’s mile with a personal best of (4:20.12). Arata Nakanishi had a big 2K steeplechase with a five second personal best (6:15.34), garnering an 8^th position finish that was 4 seconds under Team BC funding standard for Canadian Nationals. Miles Graham continued to round back into form with a (6:34.89) in the same event. Will Van Schagen ran personal bests in both the 400m (51.21) and 300m hurdles (39.31), with a 6^th position finish, and Riley Simmonds ran an outstanding 9:14.23 in the 2 mile. Excellent results for these young men.

On the women’s side, Adrianna Buitelaar ran outstanding races in both the 2 mile(10:34.35) and mile events PR (4:56.75) to finish 5^th and 8^th respectfully in open high school competition. Maggie Epp had a first rate season opener in the 800m with a smoking 2:15.11, her second fastest time ever, and Zoe Unger recorded a strong 6^th place finish in the 2K steeple despite being on the comeback from anemia.

As a group, our time in Track Town USA was rewarding and memorable. We watched the team from Brooks Beasts Running Club set a new world record in the distance medley relay in the Friday Night feature section, and we cheered World Champion Josh Kerr and other world class athletes as they performed along with Adrianna in the Saturday Night finale. We paid a visit to Iconic Track Town Pizza were a great time was had by all.

I would like to thank all of the parents and high school coaches who worked so hard to make this event a resounding success for all of us and we are already looking forward to our return in 2025. – Coach Scott

Volunteers Needed for Swan Track Meet (May 3-4)

We are looking for volunteers. It takes a large group of individuals to host a track meet and we need you, your family members, friends, even if it’s just for an hour or two. No experience is necessary!

Click the link above and get your spot before it’s gone!

Please contact Naomi Booth via email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Royals Distance Early Season Looks Good

Our Royals Distance Crew has been looking good in the early season. This past weekend our athletes competed at the Emilie Mondor Invitational at Simon Fraser University. Running against primarily university competitors our athletes held their own and represented us proudly.

In the men’s steeplechase event Sam May, Arata Nakanishi, and Miles Graham ran strongly finishing 3^rd, 4^th,and 5^th behind Olympian John Gay, and Senior Team member Cole Dinsdale. Sam May’s 6:15.08 was National qualifying standard for Team BC in his first race over 36” barriers.

In the women’s 1500m event Adrianna Buitelaar, Maggie Epp, Zoe Unger, Syra Dhaliwal, and Kamora Piper also ran strongly against top level senior competition. Adrianna ran an impressive 4:34.42 to finish 3^rd out of 20 competitors.

In the men’s 1500m event Riley Simmonds, Jonah Dyk, and Samuel Rasquinha represented us proudly and Riley Simmonds blazing personal best of 4:00.47 was faster than the BC High School Junior Record. Other great performances included Will Van Schagen’s Personal Best Performance of 51.32 in the 400m and second place finish in the 400m hurdles as well as Santos Svelander’s personal best in the 200m of 26.00.

Many of our athletes rounded out the day by competing in the 800m event and Riley Simmonds personal best performance of 1:57.47 was truly remarkable as it was only about an hour and a half after the 1500m. – Look for us next in two weeks time at the Oregon Relays on Historic Heyward Field University of Oregon.

Well done all of our Royals athletes and families who participated. – Coach Scott

Fastest in U18 Indoor in Canada!

Congratulations to Adrianna Buitelaar and Riley Simmonds who both posted the fastest U18 indoor marks in Canada for 3000m at the University of Washington’s High School Invitational this past February. Riley’s time of 8.41.03 was 3 seconds ahead of the next fastest runner and Adrianna’s 9:50.67 was a full 13 seconds ahead of the next fastest Mark. Check these marks out at Athletics Canada Rankings and make sure to scroll down to the section for Tracks over 200m.

Jennifer Rogers Swan Meet: May 3-4, 2024

Join us for the Valley Royals premier event: our annual Jennifer Rogers Swan Memorial Meet. On May 3-4, track and field athletes of all ages and levels will compete at Rotary Stadium, in Abbotsford.

Friday: Field events from 4pm to 7pm

Saturday: Track and field events from 9am to 4pm

NOTE: The schedule (in the Meet Package, below) is subject to change at any time.

https://www.trackie.com/event/2024-jennifer-rogers-swan-memorial-meet/1006433/

Download the Meet Package: Jennifer Swan Meet Package 2024 (vMarch 29)