A Sundre High School student soared into second place recently during an indoor track and field event hosted in Edmonton.
Grade 11 student Evyn Read joined the University of Calgary Athletics Club (UCAC) earlier this school year. He competed in the U-18 pole vault category during the Alberta Indoor Track and Field Championships held March 8-10 at the Universiade Pavilion, better known as the Butterdome.
He was introduced last school year to the sport along with a few other students by track and field coach Judy Jackson. Read said he had since decided to remain involved with the Calgary-based track club.
“I go out there once or twice a week,” he said.
While that usually depends on his schedule, he nevertheless strives to train several hours a week at the University of Calgary.
When he can’t make it there, Read said he makes an effort to train at home, where he has a treadmill that enables him to continue honing his conditioning.
The recent indoor championship in Edmonton, which saw him compete against three others in his age category, went well, he said.
“It was a good time and a good experience,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to competing more in the future.
Read’s highest successful pole vault was a personal best of 3.2 metres, placing him ahead of Winston Clarke with the Calgary Warriors, whose highest jump was 3.1 metres, and Alexander Leote, from the Caltaf Athletic Association in Calgary, who reached a maximum of 2.4 metres. Jack Wesolowski, with the Calgary Warriors, finished in first place with a 3.5-metre pole vault.
“It felt pretty good,” said Read about placing second.
Having previously only participated in the local high school’s track and field events, he said the championship in Edmonton was the first time he had competed at a higher level.
With the impending arrival of spring, Read plans to start training for the outdoor season with the UCAC. He said he also intends to remain involved with the Sundre High School’s track team once its season gets underway.
Although relatively new to pole vaulting with less than two years of experience under his belt, Read said he finds the sport to be a lot of fun.
“I like getting that high up in the air,” he said, adding a surge of adrenalin creates an exciting rush.
Although he also competes in long as well as triple jump, he said pole vaulting is his primary track and field focus.
Having set a new personal best in Edmonton, Read said his goal now is to set the bar even higher and beat his own record.
