Sisters set to leave lasting impression

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/06/2011 (5254 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association kicks off its Milk Provincial High School Track and Field Championship Thursday at the University of Manitoba’s University Stadium, and for two of the competitors, it’s going to be a family affair.

Carly and Meagan Paracholski, twin sisters from Sisler, will both be running in the 100-metre race.

While Meagan insisted beating her own previous time will be her main focus, Carly admitted she felt some sisterly competition.

“I generally put more pressure on beating myself than other people,” said Carly. “But not when it comes to my sister. Her, I want to beat.”

While the two shared a laugh, the Paracholski sisters know it won’t be as easy to keep in touch next year, as each has accepted a scholarship to a different American school; Meagan is heading to Fresno State in California while Carly will be going to Tempe, Ariz., to attend Arizona State.

“It will be tough,” Meagan said. “Our parents kind of wanted us to go to the same school, but I like the atmosphere better in Fresno and Carly seemed to like things about Arizona better.”

Along with running the 100 metres against her sister, Meagan will also compete in the 800 metres, the 1,500 metres and the 4×100-metre relay.

While her sister holds the Manitoba records for 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres, Meagan hopes she can leave her mark on the 800 metres.

“It would be really nice if I could grab the record for it,” she said.

While both Paracholski girls have decorated histories as track athletes in Manitoba, this will be their last competition on home soil for the foreseeable future.

University of Manitoba track and field coach Claude Berube said although it is somewhat disappointing to see some of the best athletes in the province leave to go to programs in the United States, he understands their decision.

“It is always bittersweet to have great kids leave, but we know they do it for the right reasons and do it to attend great programs,” Berube said. “We have great coaches and a great staff here, but Winnipeg can’t compete with the weather in Arizona.” Not to mention California.

Kayleigh Wiens, of the Garden Valley Zodiacs in Winkler, is one great athlete who is staying in Manitoba next year. Wiens, the provincial record holder for the tetrathlon (which includes the 100 metres, 800 metres, shot put and long jump), will play hockey at the University of Manitoba in September.

“I’ll be looking to fit in some track as well,” she said. “But we’ll see how it all works out.” Wiens is looking to improve upon her record-setting tetrathlon time this week.

The Milk provincial championship is the largest outdoor track and field meet in Manitoba, with about 1,500 high school athletes representing more than 120 schools in 70 different events. The event begins Thursday at 12:15 p.m. and the championships wrap up Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

robby.frankel@freepress.mb.ca