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Scona Track Builds on their Legacy of Success
2016-06-27
Strathcona wins a 46th consecutive track championship! Read on to find out how they pull it off.
For the last 45 consecutive years, Strathcona High School has successfully won the City Track and Field Championships; and this year was no different. So there was no surprise when they were able to capture number 46 at Foote Field in Edmonton, AB. Singlets of scarlet and gold adorned the bodies of competitors as many of the athletes competed and cheered on their teammates. Many watched as Kory White, accomplished athlete in both Volleyball and Track and Field, was able to successfully clear a height of 1.70 metres in high jump, creating a new city record. She, along with over 40 athletes, moved on to represent Strathcona in the ASAA Provincials, also placed in Edmonton. The athletes continued on with their hard work which gained them another team win at Provincials, this being their 14th year. Friends, family and teammates witnessed the Lords continue to dominate in both track and field events with both Josh Li, who ran 51.13 in 400m, and the girls 4x400m team, consisting of Tristan Sinnatamby, Emily McGoey, Kayla Mostowich, and Tatyjania Khounviseth, capture gold. Over in the field events, Cavan Chong jumped a massive 13.18 meters in triple jump and Kyle Poapst threw a 46.27 metre in Javelin; both athletes received gold.
Top Left to Right: Alex Klimko, Kiera Gratton, Derrick Ushko, Tristan Sinnatamby, Emily McGoey, Kayla Mostowich, Tatyjania Khounviseth
Middle: Felicity Hik, Grace Werner, Rielle Taylor, James Der
Bottom Left to Right: Mitch Adam, Jacob Thomas, Forrest Chatwin, Cavan Chong, Josh Li, Eliot Ward, Jacob Reckhard, Tyler Bates
( Photographer: Nic Li)
Although it is the athletes who are the competitors, the coaches are the ones to push them to run faster, jump higher and throw farther. Hung Ly, teacher and coach at Strathcona High School, appeared every day after school from 3:30 to 5:00, devoting his time to help improve his athletes in their specific events. Alongside him was Phil Booth, helping with the long distance group, and Chris Buffi who worked with the jumpers. The school was fortunate enough to get Lorretta Amerong to assist in coaching high jump. Alumni Cam Fenske and Tiana Sinnatamby also returned to assist in teaching the athletes what they had learned during their time running university track.
“It was the Scona coaches who got me interested in a sporting career in track and field. I guess I kinda wanted to give back to them my time and effort to show my appreciation for that”, confesses Cam Fenske when asked why he decided to come back. Many of these coaches put all the effort and hard work they can offer so the athletes can take what is given. They are able to utilize their mentor’s endeavors and inspire their own.
“That is what Scona is”, says Chris Buffi, “We are about achieving more than just okay. We want to be the best in whatever we do”.
Strathcona does not only have hard working athletes and coaches, but they are also fiercely determined, a trait that cannot be taught, but is already deep within. The energy during their training sessions is that of perseverance and dedication. “Scona has a lot of really successful athletes in different sports, but a sense of hard work and determination transfers over to the track,” says senior athlete Grace Werner. Tagging onto that point, Cavan Chong, gold medalist in the intermediate boys triple jump, includes that Strathcona is a school where “everyone gets to showcase their individual talents, yet at the same time, [they’re] all part of one big team”. When asked what the key to Strathcona’s success is, Athletic Director Chris Douglas says, “The biggest factors that result in our track and field success is the quality of our students and our student involvement. Mass participation equals mass impact. We have high level athletes and we have mass participation. Students come out to participate in track and field regardless of ability level as they want to be a part of our legacy”. Tristan Sinnatamby, a quarter of the winning girls 4x400m team, was drawn towards “being part of something remarkable”.
“It's not a pride thing or a you must do it”, says Chris Buffi, “It's part of who we are and kids understand that. They want to be involved with a legacy”.
- Tatyjania Khounviseth and Cavan Chong
Top Left to Right: Alex Klimko, Kiera Gratton, Derrick Ushko, Tristan Sinnatamby, Emily McGoey, Kayla Mostowich, Tatyjania Khounviseth
Middle: Felicity Hik, Grace Werner, Rielle Taylor, James Der
Bottom Left to Right: Mitch Adam, Jacob Thomas, Forrest Chatwin, Cavan Chong, Josh Li, Eliot Ward, Jacob Reckhard, Tyler Bates
( Photographer: Nic Li)
Although it is the athletes who are the competitors, the coaches are the ones to push them to run faster, jump higher and throw farther. Hung Ly, teacher and coach at Strathcona High School, appeared every day after school from 3:30 to 5:00, devoting his time to help improve his athletes in their specific events. Alongside him was Phil Booth, helping with the long distance group, and Chris Buffi who worked with the jumpers. The school was fortunate enough to get Lorretta Amerong to assist in coaching high jump. Alumni Cam Fenske and Tiana Sinnatamby also returned to assist in teaching the athletes what they had learned during their time running university track.
“It was the Scona coaches who got me interested in a sporting career in track and field. I guess I kinda wanted to give back to them my time and effort to show my appreciation for that”, confesses Cam Fenske when asked why he decided to come back. Many of these coaches put all the effort and hard work they can offer so the athletes can take what is given. They are able to utilize their mentor’s endeavors and inspire their own.
“That is what Scona is”, says Chris Buffi, “We are about achieving more than just okay. We want to be the best in whatever we do”.
Strathcona does not only have hard working athletes and coaches, but they are also fiercely determined, a trait that cannot be taught, but is already deep within. The energy during their training sessions is that of perseverance and dedication. “Scona has a lot of really successful athletes in different sports, but a sense of hard work and determination transfers over to the track,” says senior athlete Grace Werner. Tagging onto that point, Cavan Chong, gold medalist in the intermediate boys triple jump, includes that Strathcona is a school where “everyone gets to showcase their individual talents, yet at the same time, [they’re] all part of one big team”. When asked what the key to Strathcona’s success is, Athletic Director Chris Douglas says, “The biggest factors that result in our track and field success is the quality of our students and our student involvement. Mass participation equals mass impact. We have high level athletes and we have mass participation. Students come out to participate in track and field regardless of ability level as they want to be a part of our legacy”. Tristan Sinnatamby, a quarter of the winning girls 4x400m team, was drawn towards “being part of something remarkable”.
“It's not a pride thing or a you must do it”, says Chris Buffi, “It's part of who we are and kids understand that. They want to be involved with a legacy”.
- Tatyjania Khounviseth and Cavan Chong