It may not have been the nicest Saturday for being outside, but the largest gathering ever at a Moose Jaw Invitational track and field meet had no complaints.
The cloudy weather suited the 477 high school track athletes that came from 27 schools to take part in the Invitational.
“I really liked it. It’s usually hot, so this was nice,” said Vanier’s Sadie Schaeffer of the cloudy, calm day. She raced to wins in the 1,500 and 3,000-metre runs in the senior girls category.
Vanier once again won the overall title by collecting 496.75 points. Swift Current Comp. was second with 364 points, while Peacock was third (342.75) and Central was fourth (341.75).
Vanier had a number of strong performances, but used a complete team effort to pick up the points they needed for a comfortable team win.
Prairie South athletic commissioner Larry Segall said they didn’t set out to have the biggest field in the history of the event, it just worked out that way.
“There were some funny stories, (Peacock coach) Renee Verge’s nephew is a sprinter at Prince Albert Carlton and he wanted to come, so all of a sudden we have some kids from PA Carlton,” said Segall. “A vice principal was transferred from Delisle to Dalmeny and so he wants to come.”
All told there were only 20 multi-event winners. The other local winners were Vanier’s Breanna Sanson in the midget girls 100 and 200m; Vanier Devon Schweiger in the senior boys 1,500 and 3,000m; Peacock’s Nolan Thoroughgood in the midget boys 400 and 800m; and Vanier’s Burke McDonald in the midget boys 1,500 and 3,000m.
In the junior boys category Peacock’s Daniel Ferguson (1,500 and 3,000m), Peacock’s Colton Woodley (triple jump and tied for first in the high jump) and Moosbank’s Noah Miller (long jump and javelin) were multiple winners.
