Alexandra Siemens Posts Cross Country Win at Ocean Athletics Meet

Sat., September 29, 2012: Alex Siemens was first in the senior high school girls’ division of the Ocean Athletics meet held Saturday at Crescent Beach Park. Siemens covered the 4-k course in a time of 12:48 to place seven seconds in front of Miryan Bassett (Naniamo) and nine seconds ahead of the third place finisher Rebecca Basset.

It was a good test for Siemens as next week she will travel with her teammates to Yakima, WA for the Sunfair meet. The trip was originally scheduled for this past Saturday but brush fires in the area caused a severe smoke hazard and the organizers had to postpone the meet for health reasons. Cooler temperatures have now remedied the situation and all is set for this coming Saturday.

Placing 7th in the high school girl’s division was Sarya Ross (13:39) while Ashley Heisler came up with a good performance to place 11th (14:20). Oliver Jorgensen got his season off to a good start by placing fifth the senior boys 5-k race posting a time of 17:34. Teammates Peter Mitchelle, a grade 10 runner, was 14th (18:36) and Arsh Ganda finished in 32nd position.

Jennifer Kell had a strong effort in the 13-year old girl’s race placing second (12:26) with teammate Delaney Chapman, a much improved cross country runner, coming fourth (13:14).

Aidan Bingert, who has had limited practice time this season because of injury, placed 5th in the 15-year old boys’ division covering the 3-k course in 11:43.

A number of junior development runners took part in the meet. In the nine year old girls’ run Amy Brandt was sixth ((5:48) and Olivia McAuley 7th (5:18) while in the 10-year old boy’s 2-k run, Kai MacKenzie placed 8th followed by Parker Janzen in 11th (9:59) and Aaron Boschman 16th (11:07).

Nikki Janzen placed 20th in the 12-year old girl’s run while Katia Heppell came fifth in the 13-year old girl’s division 3-k race followed by Gabe McGregor was ninth (13:20) and Jensen Barker tenth (13:21).

JESSICA SMITH RUNS WITH DISTINCTION IN HER 800 METER SEMIFINAL

Thursday August 9, 2012
She did not manage to advance to the final but Jessica Smith ran with distinction and determination in the third semi final of the women’s 800-meters today at the London, Olympics.
Smith placed seventh in her heat with a time of 2:01.90 and was not able to advance to Saturday’s final. The race was won by Marlya Savinova of Russia (1:58.57) with Francine Niyonsaba (BDI) second (1:58.67) and they were the only two runners to advance from that section. Smith had qualified for the semi final by placing second in her qualifying race held on Wednesday.
In a post race interview, Smith expressed how great the experience of competing in the Olympics had been for her and thanked all those who had helped her to become an Olympian. She went on to say that the many things she has taken from the experience would be invaluable for her in future international competitions.
So the Olympics have now come to an end for the two Valley Royals that were part of the Games. A seventh place finish for Mike Mason and a semi final finish for Jessica Smith. Both Mike and Jessica conducted themselves with confidence and maturity at these Games and their performances have to be an inspiration to all Valley Royal members.