Hawks soar at provincials

Times Reporter

 

It was a record-breaking track season for Holy Cross Collegiate who sent three of their top athletes to compete in track and field provincials in Edmonton last weekend, June 1 and 2. 

Kirstyn Johnson earned a berth in provincials when she took first place at zones in Calgary in May for both long jump and triple jump. Michael Pringle finished in second for long jump and Michael Molina finished in second for high jump. 

For Johnson and Pringle, both Grade 10 students, it was their first time attending provincials for track and field. Molina, a Grade 11 student had attended for high jump last year. 

“I think it was definitely more intimidating on the first day when I did triple jump because they (other competitors) were all so good and they knew what they were doing,” said Johnson of the experience. 

“I ended up faulting on my first two jumps and it was just really nerve wracking but the second day for second event was better because I knew what to expect so I feel like next year I will be better, not as intimidating. It was insane to see the amount of dedication put into it, from our point of view we do track for two months in practice. They practice all year round and are just insane at what they do.”

Johnson brought home a silver medal for the junior women’s long jump. Pringle placed in the top eight long jump, and is unsure of what he placed in the triple jump. 

“It was interesting because there were records broken that have been held for 30 years,” said Pringle. 

“I think it is more nerve-wracking than a different sport because in other sports you’re with a team and it’s not all on you to win.”

All three are already athletes in other sports. Johnson is well known for fastball among other sports, and both Molina and Pringle can be seen on the basketball courts during the season and participating in a number of other sports. 

“I wouldn’t do it (track) all year round. Other sports give us the advantage of working on (certain skills). Like me with basketball I work on jumping as much as possible and then that’s how I got into high jump,” said Molina, who had originally tied for second in his event, but walked away in sixth in the end.