Author: Emma Hatfield

Royals Excel at Spring Fling Meet

Our Valley Royals Distance Crew had a fantastic opener to the season today that was was fully representative of the hard work and dedication they have shown through the fall and winter sessions. At the Ocean Athletics Spring Fling many of our athletes recorded personal best performances and showed some truly gritty and determined running.
 
Adrianna Buitelaar ran a fantastic 10:10.32 in her first ever 3000m, followed by Zoe Unger, who ran yet another big PR of 10:32.69 to finish one and two.
Mark Molina easily out kicked the competition in the home straight to win the men’s mile with a 4:28 clocking, and Will Van Schagen recorded two great opening performances to win the U18 400m with a 53.09 and finish 2nd in the 800m with a 2:03.52.
Mack Lascelle ran a big PB of 9:06.35 in the 3000m, followed closely by Sam May, who also PRed, Riley Simmonds and Jonah Dyck, who also recorded strong runs.
Sam Rasquinha looked great and recorded a big PR in the 800m of 2:31.52, and Arata Nakanishi ran a strong 4:48.83 in the mile.
 
Well done to all our Royals. A great way to start the season.  – Coach Scott
 

JD Season Starts April 3

If you have not already registered, contact the club administrator, Christa McAuley, to join this year’s Junior Development (JD) Track and Field season. All athletes ages 8-13 are welcome, as we are an inclusive club that supports all abilities and skill levels.

The first practice is April 3.

Distinguished Performances at UofW High School Invitational Meet

Our Royals Distance Athletes had a great opening meet this past weekend at the University of Washington High School Invitational. Running against some of the best athletes in the Pacific Northwest, many of our crew posted personal best performances, and others were running very close to what they were running at peak season last year.

Riley Simmonds, Sam May, and Mack Lascelle recorded massive personal best times in the 3000m of 9:12.25, 9:09.58, and 9:16.80. Sam May ran very strongly, and Mack ran the last half of this race with one shoe.  Riley Simmonds’ performance for a grade 9 athlete was simply astounding. On the Women’s side, Zoe Unger recorded a big PR of 10:41.22 to cap off a fantastic opening night.

On Sunday, our ‘milers’ and 800m runners had some great performances as well. Will Van Schagen came up with a great opening run and PR of 2:03.90 in the 800m, and Adrianna Buitelaar ran a fantastic 5:05.67 in the mile (approximately 4:43 for 1500m). Maggie Epp also recorded a personal best performance in the mile of 5:12.22. Mark Molina ran a strong 800m of 1:58.12 to finish 6th in the Invitational Section, and Miles Graham ran a strong opener of 2:11.57. A great time was had by all!

Congratulations to all of our Royals – both parents and athletes, who represented us with distinction at one of the premier high school events in the Northwest.  – Coach Scott

BC Athletics Awards to Valley Royals

Riley Simmonds, Adrianna Buitelaar, and Sam May received honors with the best in the Province this past weekend at the annual BC Athletics Awards Banquet in Richmond.

Adrianna and Riley were honored as runner ups for athlete of the year in Cross Country, and Sam May received honors as one of the three outstanding Track and Field athletes of the year in the U16 division.

Congratulations to these fine young runners and their families .Well done. – Coach Scott

BC Athletics Awards Banquet Feb 2023

Strong First Meet for 2023

Shout out to all the Royals athletes who started their 2023 campaign in style, at the Harry Jerome Indoor at the Richmond Oval on Saturday, February 4th. Many of our athletes were competing indoors for the first time, and despite competing in events they had never done before indoors, many came up with strong performances/personal bests.

Highlights include:

Charlie Franson – 1st U16 boys  shot put

Emily Tinsley – 3rd U16 girls high jump

Theo Manuel – 2nd U20 60 metre hurdles; 5th open men’s 300

Sanaa Musonge – 3rd U18 60 metres

William Steiger – 1st U16 1000 metres

Ryley Simmonds – 1st U16 1200 metres

Luke Wright, Tristan Steiger, Emma Vandelft, and Julian Hertherington had personal bests in the 60 metres and 300 metres. Mayci Falk performed well in her first ever 60 metres, 60 metre hurdles, and high jump.

Special shout out to Harveer Nigah, who despite injuring his knee in the 60 metre hurdles, still performed well in that and in the flat 60 metres.

Well done, team! – Coach Trevor