Four medals for track and field athletes

Building on the gold and bronze medals won yesterday by Dakoda Darling and Eddie Solla in para discus, Team BC won four more medals and qualified athletes to finals for Thursday and Friday.  

Team BC earned its first medals on the track in the 3000m steeplechase with Grace Featherstonhaugh (New Westminster) taking the gold and Nickolas Colyn (Langley) winning bronze.  

In field events, Trinity Hansma (Armstrong) jumped a personal best 1.71 m in high jump earning a fourth place finish.  The men’s hammer throw closed out the evening events with Team BC taking the top two podium positions with a gold medal for Sam Willett (Victoria) and a silver medal for Peter Behncke (Burnaby)

QUOTES:
Grace Featherstonhaugh, Gold Medal, 3000m Steeplechase
On her preparation for the race:
I rested a lot yesterday, more than usual because we had lots of time here when we got here early.  I felt really good this morning and did a little mini workout.  It was definitely cooler than yesterday.  I heard it was a bit windy but, I didn’t really notice it out there.

On her race strategy:
I was trying to tuck in behind the lead girls because I raced them at them at Nationals so I knew I was going to try and hold on to them.  After a few laps, I thought, I will see what I can do and pull ahead a bit but I wasn’t expecting to win.

The feeling of winning gold for Team BC:
I am really excited; it was a really fun race.  I was really happy to just make Team BC so I am really glad I get to represent British Columbia. 

Nick Colyn – Bronze medal, 3000m Steeplechase
On the lead changes during the race
“I had a feeling it was going to be a bit of back and forth.  The speed picked up and slowed down and then picked up again.  It is tough mentally in those speed races but you have to be ready for it.”

On the leading the last lap and finishing third
”I knew it was going to be tight at the end and I wish I had a little more in the last 100m.  I thought I could hold on for second but, the other guy came flying in.  I am happy to medal and to represent Team BC.”

Trinity Hansma (Armstrong) – Women’s High Jump
On 4th place finish and personal best (1.71m)
“I felt really calm and ready out there, and it was really close right to the end.  I always love wearing the BC bib in competition.  With this strong performance behind me, I’m excited to cheer on the other Team BC athletes, especially men’s high jump, the 4x100m and the 4x400m.”

Wednesday is a rest day for Athletics and the action will continue on Thursday and Friday from the University of Manitoba Stadium.