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 4th 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 8th 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 6th 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 5th and 8th 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 6th 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
