Tyson Taylor
sports@pqbnews.com
Three Oceanside Track and Field Club (OTFC) members received recognition for their outstanding 2013 performances at the recent B.C. Athletics Awards Banquet, held Dec. 7 in Richmond.
New club member, Felix Richter, was one of the Midget 15 Male Award winners, based on his 100m hurdle, 100m and 200m run efforts over the course of the season.
An outstanding performance at the B.C. Championship, where Richter finished first in the 100m, 200m, and 100m hurdles, resulted in his selection to the B.C. Track and Field team to compete at the Legion Canadian Youth Championships. At the national meet, Richter helped the B.C. 4x100m and medley relay teams to first place finishes, as well as adding a silver medal in the 100m hurdle.
OTFC’s sprint and hurdle coach, Laurie Ritchie, coached Richter.
Veteran distance runner Miryam Bassett capped an outstanding season by being named co-winner of the Youth Female Cross Country Runner of the Year award. An excellent performance at the B.C. Athletics Junior Cross Country Championship meet, where she place second while running up an age category, enabled Bassett to be selected to the B.C. junior cross country team to the Canadian cross country championship meet. Bassett’s strong run at nationals helped B.C. to a bronze medal team result.
Also recognized at the banquet was middle distance runner, Thomas Oxland, who represented Canada in the 800m event at the IAAF World Youth Track and Field Championships this past summer in Donetz, Ukraine. Representing Canada highlighted Oxland’s season, which also saw him win the youth 800m at the B.C. championships and be selected to the B.C. Junior and Youth Track and Field teams to compete at the Canadian Championships.
OTFC is looking for new coaches to help with their younger junior development athletes, to ensure that they can provide an opportunity for as many children as possible to enjoy the sport. If you have an interest in helping out as a new coach contact Kim or Randy Longmuir at 250-248-8515 or ranlong@telus.net.