Double Gold for 4x400m relay teams to wrap up athletics competition

On the final day of competition Team BC athletics athletes continued their golden performances. The 4x400m relay teams took the top of the podium. The men’s team of Francis Klimo, Jerome Blake, Quinn Literland, Andrew Degroot crossed in 3:16.31 ahead of Alberta (3:16.65) to take gold. The women’s team of Valda Kaydee Kabia, Rachel Shuttleworth, Sarah Korpach, Elizabeth Gummer also took first place in 3:51.30 beating out Manitoba (3:55.52) and Saskatchewan (4:04.06).

“It was such a great way to end the season,” exclaimed 19-year-old Degroot, who totaled two gold’s this week. “This was my first large event that I have competed in and it was an unforgettable experience.”

Degroot anchored the men’s relay team their podium finish and was very proud of his team’s effort.

“Determination and drive from everyone was the key,” added Degroot, a current Trinity Western University student-athlete. “We all pushed our hardest and knew we could win it going in.”

In women’s high jump, Hannah Rolfe earned gold with a distance of 1.71m.

Other medals on the day included Kelly Watts-Watling taking silver in the women’s heptathlon with 4549 points. Teammate Robyn Buckingham took bronze with 4123 points.

In the 3000m men’s race John Gay earned another medal, winning silver in a time of 8:41.28.

Sarah Korpach took home her second medal of the day in the 400m hurdles after she crossed in 1:03.91 for bronze.

Athletics August 11th medals

GOLD
Hannah Rolfe, High Jump Women (1.71m)
Valda Kaydee Kabia, Rachel Shuttleworth, Sarah Korpach, Elizabeth Gummer; 4x400m Women (3:51.30)
Francis Klimo, Jerome Blake, Quinn Literland, Andrew Degroot; 4x400m Men (3:16.31)

SILVER
Keely Watts-Watling, Heptathlon Women (4549 points)
John Gay, 3000m Men (8:41.28)

BRONZE
Robyn Buckingham, Heptathlon Women (4123 points)
Sarah Korpach, 400m Hurdles Women (1:03.91)