Central Okanagan athletes will be out in full force for the B.C. high school athletics championships set for June 2 to 4 in Nanaimo.
Kelowna and area competitors found their way to the podium early and often at the Okanagan Valley championships last week in Kamloops, earning berths at the upcoming provincials.
• Seniors
Seven athletes from the Central Okanagan zone were double gold-medal winners at valleys: Sean Bergman, KSS, boys 3,000 metres and the 2,000 metre steeplechase; Leah McWilliam, OKM, girls 200 and 400 metres; Jaydean Braham, Aberdeen Hall, girls triple jump and shot put; Willow Benitz, Aberdeen Hall, 800 and 1,500 metres; Steven Johnson, Mt. Boucherie, 100 and 200 metres; and Davis Hughes, RSS, 400 and 800 metres.
Athletes who on one individual gold were: Rhianne McWilliam, OKM, girls 100; Noemi Stroda, OKM, shot put; Cam Noble, OKM, boys pole vault; Brandon Harder, GES, long jump; Nick Cornell, KSS, boys hammer; and Austin Sandrin, MBSS, javelin.
• Juniors
Phoebe Price-Roberts of Aberdeen Hall led the way for Kelowna at the junior level with a triple gold-medal performance. Price Roberts won the senior girls discus, hammer and javelin throws events.
Winning double gold were: Taryn O'Neill, GES, girls 800 and 1,500 metre, and Jesse Benneke, MBSS, 100 and 200 metres.
Other individual event winners: Taya Hanson, KSS, 400 metres; Bryan Walsh, KSS, girls 200; Kanaysha Lyder, Dr., Knox, girls 100 metres; Muriel Stroda, OKM, 80 hurdles; Rylee Paulson, GES, girls 1,500 steeplechase; Ava Kalashnikoff, Dr. Knox, 1,500 race walk; Gregor Smith, KLO, boys 400 metres; Turner Woodruff, OKM, boys 1,500; Jacob Harris, OKM, boys 3,000; Noah Russell, CNB, 300 hurdles; Kyle Barker, GES, boys javelin; Joel Aitken, KSS, triple jump; and Simon Paul, CNB, boys shot-put.
• Grade 8
Lindsay Maier of Dr. Knox and CNB's Ashton Thorpe won double individual gold medal medals in girls Grade 8 competition at valleys.
Maier earned victories in the girls 200 and 400 metres, while Thorpe took top spot in girls javelin and discus.
Other event winners were: Abby Heinen, KCS; Abby Freeborn, Spring Valley; Finn Hussy, KLO; Jordan Barker, GES; Jaxon Slaney, RMS; Kristen Naude, KCS; Naomi Kent, KCS; and Ashley Overby,KCS.