Friday, June 02, 2006
FRESNO, California -- Two NAIA champions, one NAIA meet record and a series of solid performances bode well for the future of UBC track and field following Saturday’s conclusion to the NAIA Track & Field National Championships in Fresno, Calif.
Leading the UBC contingent was high jumper Mike Mason (Nanoose Bay) -- who soared higher than he ever has before to win his event 2.22 metres --and racewalker Megan Huzzey (Victoria), who earned her third consecutive NAIA racewalk championship, mean while UBC sophomore Erica Brown (Delta) finished seventh in 15:43.08.
Freshman Nicola Gildersleeve (North Vancouver) enjoyed a strong debut in her first NAIA outdoor championship, finishing fifth in the women’s marathon in 3:02:23.99 – a personal best by more than 15 minutes.
On the men’s side, T-Bird Derek Vinge (Fernie) also made his marathon debut and finished a most credible 11th in 2:37:47.78. Freshman Aaron Dixon (Mackenzie) took ninth in the decathlon, while another UBC freshman, me!! Matthew Harriman (Delta), took 11th in the 5,000-metre racewalk.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Nineteen athletes will represent the University of B.C. at the May 25-27 NAIA Track and Field National Championships in Fresno, Calif. On paper, it appears the competition will be as hot as the weather as athletes are coming in with sizzling qualifying marks that should make for perhaps the most competitive NAIA championship ever contested.
“The standard is very high this year, some events are just loaded,” remarked
UBC track and field head coach Marek Jedrzejek. “Look at the 400 metres – there are five athletes under 47 seconds. Ira Thomson for UBC, who recently ran a big PB of 48.50, is ranked 26th and yet his time is very, very good. In the men’s 100 metres, the leading time is 10.18 seconds. Look at the high jump – there are about six athletes at 2.15 or higher, including our Mike Mason. Last year we had Ralph Botha there and he was fifth at 2.05. Schools are wanting to be more successful so they are looking to bring in athletes of quality and it is showing in the fields
for this years meet.”
Recent events further confirm Jedrzejeks point of impressive competition this year. Lindenwood junior Michael Rodger leads the NAIA men’s 100-metre list with a 10.18 effort. As a point to compare, last week American Justin Gatlin sprinted to a 100-metre world record 9.76 seconds in Qatar, with Canadas Anson Henry finishing fifth in a personal best 10.12.
A year ago the UBC women finished fourth at the NAIA championships. Losing some stalwarts to graduation, in addition to injury problems that have plagued both men’s and women’s squads this spring, Jedrzejek declares he would be happy with a top-10 finish in the women’s ranks this year.
Racewalker Megan Huzzey leads the T-Bird women as the No.1-ranked competitor in her event. She is seeking her third consecutive victory at the NAIA championships but Jedrzejek notes even her event has more depth and talent this year.
“Megan Huzzey, she is a two-time defending champion but even she has more competition this year,” he says. “There are a couple of new athletes at her level. Before, she literally walked away from everybody but this time for sure it will be a tight fight to the end.”
High jumper Mike Mason, the 2004 world junior champion with a personal best of 2.21 metres, leads the men’s team to Fresno although, as Jedrzejek noted, his event should also prove most competitive.
T-Bird freshman Aaron Dixon will compete in the NAIA championship decathlon, where he is currently ranked second behind Azusa Pacific senior Brian Bernard. Matthew Harriman, another UBC freshman, is currently ranked third in the racewalk while Jeff Symonds is ranked sixth in the steeplechase.
Middle distance runner Shane Carlos, who is nursing an Achilles injury is ranked ninth in the 1,500 metres and 14th in the 5,000 metres.
“We had some great performances at Mt SAC, a lot of us made standard there,” he said. “It is hard to run a best time every weekend. It’s a good sign for the NAIAs, to have a month to rest up after a strong performance, and get some good training in and hit it hard at the NAIAs. There, I really want to perform up to my potential, maybe go high 47s, try to make the final there. It will probably take a 47 high to make the final.” Thomson also concedes the heat in Fresno will offer as much of a challenge as some of the competitors. “I am doing a little bit of prep for that, I have been going into the sauna every day, trying to get ready for the heat,” he said. “Apparently it is going to be 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit – pretty smoking hot.”
Thursday, May 04, 2006
It's been a fun but tiring week. After a couple of weeks of being out of school I thought it would be appropriate to write a post.
The beginning of my two weeks off of school started with a quick trip to the unseasonably warm weather of Seattle for a 5000m RW Race. This was my first attempt at the NAIA national standard time of 28:50.00. I just slipped under the qualifying time with a 28:44.07. My next attempt at a standard time was yesterday at UBC vs. SFU Achilles Track Meet at Swangard stadium I met the 3000m RW standard by 24 seconds officially securing a seat for the NAIA National Championships later this month in Fresno California.
Kasandra, Marina (formally from Canmore, now from Duncan) and I decided to make a trip up to Whistler today to visit my sister and head to the slops for probably the last time this season. Although conditions haven’t been as good as they normally are, it is still a great excuse to get away from the city for a few days. Interestingly enough, while there has been next to no snow in the area for the last few weeks, there has apparently been a bit in the ski areas of Australia, where seemingly every second person in Whistler is from. And for those geographically challenged, yes it is summer in Australia at the moment.
Monday is the end of my two weeks of rest and relaxation. Back to school for summer semester.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Click for Pictures
Whistler Fun Fact
Q) Where is the highest representation by population of Aussies in the world out side of Australia?
A) Whistler BC.
Trust me, when I say it is ALL Aussies in Whistler, I am not exaggerating. It is totally insane. Whistler is a funny little town, with an international town feel. There is a big distinction between people who have loads of cash and then the backpackers (Brits, Kiwies, Aussies and Quebecians) who obviously are working incredibly hard at crap paying jobs.
Whistler is just like everything you have ever heard about it. It is 30% more expensive than anywhere else in Canada, the population is 75% Aussies. There is something that makes me want to stay here, I think I understand why Allison (my sis) moved there. With most people it is the mountains however there is something else that makes you fall in love with the place. There's a great feeling there. Obviously the whole village is geared to tourists, yet it does not have that horrible over marketed feel that a lot of 'tourist' towns do have. It's open, friendly, absolutely stunning and I can't wait to spend more time there this summer!
Friday, April 07, 2006
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Great news Mom and Dad and Matt!!!
Craig and I got married last night!!
We decided a couple of days ago to elope, so we caught a cheap flight to Vegas yesterday morning and we were married last night at the Elvis Chapel of Love!! Amber came as our witness, so don't worry, it's all legit. After we said our vows and signed the certificate we gambled almost all night - it was such an amazing evening. Not what I had always imagined my wedding day to be, but I'm surprised at how cute the chapel was and how organized they are at setting up last minute weddings. I've saved the veil and bouquets. I'm sorry that you weren't there for our special day, but we're going to have a reception this summer with family and friends so that we can all celebrate our union then. I wish that you could have been there, it was so beautiful - I know that this is probably all coming as a huge shock to you, but I know that you'll be happy for us.
We're going to stay in Vegas the rest of the weekend and have a little honeymoon and play the slots, but we'll be back Sunday night as Amber and I both have to work Monday morning. Our flight gets in at 10pm though, so we won't have time to stop in at home and say HI, but we'll be seeing you both soon when we come home for the Sun Run. I'll call sometime Monday when we get back.
Have a great weekend Mom and Dad, I sure am!!
Love you,
Alli and Craig
xoxoxoxoxo
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Today was our third and last time to Storm the Wall. Team Wu Crew defied the odds twice to make it to finals only to be disqualified in our last five seconds of the race. There is a rule only two team members can be at the top of the wall at one time. I was the last person to climb over and when I was on top we had three guys on the wall, one too many. We went down in style true European Trash style. My bathing suit was utterly discussing and it complement my entire teams getup. We went down in UBC REC history as quite possible the worst dressed. The pictures will tell the story, I am sure them will be floating around the internet.
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