Another day, another record for Massey’s De Smet

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This article was published 08/06/2024 (820 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Annika De Smet had another record-breaking day at the Manitoba High School Provincial Track and Field Championships.

On Saturday, the Grade 10 Vincent Massey Collegiate student shattered the junior varsity girls 3,000-metre provincial record by almost 18 seconds.

With a time of 9:54.67, De Smet lapped most of her competitors.

The previous record was established by Sarah-Ann Brault of College Louis Riel, who clocked a time of 10:12.05 in 2005.

“I wanted to go for it,” said De Smet. “I was going into (the race) thinking about getting it and my coach helped me figure out what I needed to do.”

On Thursday, De Smet ran the 1,500 metres in 4:33.89 to break the junior varsity provincial mark established by Oak Park’s Lori Docker. Docker’s record of 4:35.20 had stood since 1977.

“I was hoping for 9:30,” De Smet said with a smile. “It was hard without my watch.”

De Smet has a summer of training ahead of her with various competitions across Canada, including the U18 nationals in Calgary, Aug. 9-11.

Many athletes had successful competitions over the three-day provincials with over 1,500 high school athletes participating.

Carman Collegiate’s Nate Phillips also finished off his weekend strong.

After placing second in the varsity boys 1500-metre race, Phillips was determined to keep his streak of winning the 3,000-metre race alive.

And with a time of 8:54.72, Phillips earned his third provincial gold medal in the event.

“Feeling pretty good overall,” said Phillips. “It’s definitely my favourite event.”

Although St. Paul’s runner Noah Neves only competed in one event over the weekend after dealing with injuries, he made sure it counted, claiming gold in the varsity boys 400 metres.

He had been chasing the provincial record of 49.10 established by Arthur Meighen’s Greg Haydenluck in 1977.

“It’s my last year of high school so it was special,” said Neves who finished with a time of 49.47 seconds. “Obviously I did want to break the record, but it was still special to me today.”

Neves will continue his track career at the University of Manitoba in the fall.

Neves was one of four Manitobans who competed in the Simplot Games in Idaho in February. His next competition is at the end of June in Montréal.

Garden City’s Amira Lawrence will also be continuing her track career in the university ranks.

Lawrence, who is committed to the University of Guelph had herself a Saturday, finishing first in both the varsity girls 400-metre and 200-metre races.

“It means a lot to me it being my last year,” said Lawrence after her 400-metre win. “I’m happy that I got to finish my high school career with the gold medal on the floor.”

In the field events, Sisler’s Isaac Annoh was making a statement in the throwing competitions.

The Grade 10 student captured the junior varsity boys shot put on Friday, throwing 16.50 metres.

On Saturday, he came back for seconds, winning gold in the junior varsity boys discus competition with a toss of 34.47 metres.

“I’m feeling happy that I won but not happy how I did it,” said Annoh, who admitted his technique could have been better.

However, it was enough for Annoh, who specializes in throwing field events.

“I like that it’s not just pure strength,” said Annoh, explaining his interest in shot put. “Most people think shot put is just big strong guys. The technique at the end of the day is all that’s going to make you win. So every time you win, you know that you did it right, not because you are big and strong.”

The provincial meet concluded late Saturday afternoon with students showing off their skills in various running events, high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus and javelin finals.

“Even if you don’t win, it makes you want to try harder,” said Annoh. “Track would just be a regular workout if you didn’t get to go to meets and try to beat other people. You get to meet new people and it’s wonderful all around.”

zoe.pierce@freepress.mb.ca