There were a number of good performances turned in by Valley Royal athletes at the BC High School Track and Field Championships that took place on three days late last week.
But the standout performances came from an elite group of athletes that utilized their talent, a dedicated work ethic and a will to win that made them standouts.
Vikramjit Gondara once again led the way for the Royals by winning gold medals in both the junior boys discus (42.82m) and hammer (51.67m) both performances that most likely will stand as BC high school meet records. Behind the technical expertise of throws coach Harold Willers, Gondara is a 16 year old grade 10 athlete, is undoubtedly a standout talent, and wants to win. Gondara enters every competition with the desire to excel and he puts forth the effort and dedication that makes that happen. In Willers’ words, Gondara is the type of individual that makes coaching worthwhile. Although he was happy with his wins, Gondara felt that he was a little shy of what he is capable of and hopes to improve particularly on his hammer as the season progresses.
Tasha Willing, another of Willers protégés, won gold and silver medals in the senior girls division. Willing secured a gold medal in her favorite event, the shot put (11.48m) and won a bronze medal by tossing the discus 36.52m. Willing finished out the meet with a fourth place in the hammer (47.73m).
If the Royals had an award for an inspirational effort during the meet it would undoubtedly go to Josh Adhemar. Competing in the final of the 400-meter hurdles, Adhemar encountered more problems then usual with his pacing between hurdles and coming up to the last barrier he was two meters behind Carter Higgins of Dover Bay. But Adhemar put forth a drive to the tape that won him the gold medal (57.25) to Higgins 57.50.
Adhemar’s success was in part due to a rather peculiar coaching regime. Part of the distance group, Adhemar seemed to thrive on the volume of work designed by Sue Northey and the technical knowledge of former hurdle specialist Gerry Swan. In the end the diligence of a good athlete who followed the advice of his coaches resulted in success for an athlete who can perform under pressure.
But it was Adhemar’s performance in the 4×400 meter relay that demonstrated his determination to succeed. Receiving the baton in fifth place the Mouat runner made a drive over the last 100 meters that lifted his team into third place by recording a personal best of 50.08 for his 400-meter anchor leg.
Other medal performances by club athletes included Rowan Hamilton with a 2nd in the junior boys hammer (47.99m), Monique Sever (3rd triple jump-11.25m), Devon Kular (2nd Jr. PV 3.00m), and Ben Ingvaldson (2nd Sr. Hammer 51.13m).