School spirit was the driving force behind the medal-winning performance by Catharina Kluyts in track and field.
The Grade 11 Paul Kane student and former resident of South Africa competed in the intermediate division at the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association championships last weekend at Foote Field and was the gold medallist in the 100 metres and silver medallist in the 200m and the 4x100m relay as the anchor for the lady Blues.
“I like what Paul Kane does for its students and winning that gold medal just makes me feel like I’m doing something good for Paul Kane,” said Kluyts, who moved to St. Albert in 2012 from Knysna, situated in the heart of the Garden Route and 34 degrees south of the equator.
“Coming from South Africa, the schools there to the schools here are a lot different. I just really like Paul Kane and the community and how they’re really supportive of their students.”
Kluyts, 17, crossed the 100m finish line in 12.62 seconds, ahead of Daniella Jasper of St. Mary’s of Calgary at 12.93.
“I definitely felt good coming out of the blocks. I felt strong. It felt like a good, easy race,” said the Edmonton zone champion at 12.97. “I would’ve liked to have beat the record (of 11.84, set by Atia Weekes of Calgary’s Crescent Heights in 1997). I also have a faster time than 12.62, which is 12.58, but now I know what to work on and I just look forward to better myself.”
The 200m marked the second final in a row Kluyts was the runner-up to Grace Konrad of the Harry Ainlay Titans. Konrad’s time was 25.23 at provincials, compared to 25.56 for Kluyts, and at the Edmonton zones Kluyts was clocked at 25.85 and Konrad at 25.50.
“I definitely felt provincials was a lot better. I had more of an idea of how to run the 200,” Kluyts said. “But I was a little bit disappointed because I would like to have come first but she probably just has the stronger turnover past the halfway mark. That’s when you’re supposed to start driving your legs and moving your arms more and that gives you more speed when running the 200.”
The Capital City Track Club member described herself as “more as of a shorter distance sprinter and not as a mid-distance sprinter.”
“I just feel a lot better running 100 than 200. It just comes to me more easier in the 100,” Kluyts said. “Winning that gold in the 100, and at provincials too, I was just really proud of myself.”
The 4x100 relay was too close to call down the stretch and Kluyts the last Paul Kane runner after Sarah Passek started the race, followed by Cara Lang and her twin sister, Brook. The foursome completed the relay in 51.60 and Dr. E.P. Scarlett of Calgary was the winner at 51.37.
“I would’ve liked to have come first of course but I guess it is what it is,” Kluyts said of the Blues, the Edmonton zone champions at 51.82. “I definitely felt a few more metres and I would’ve got that girl but that was a close race. I feel we should’ve got a better lane as well.”
Last year at provincials Kluyts was the junior 80m hurdles’ silver medallist at 12.28.
“I started hurdles at a young age. I just practiced a lot of that repetition,” said Kluyts, who prefers running hurdles at the club level than in high school because of the longer distance and spacing between the upright frames.
Up next for Kluyts is the qualification meet for the Tri-Province/Western Canada Challenge meet for midget and youth athletes and a return trip to the Canadian Legion Youth Track & Field Championships.
“I’m aiming for Legions to maybe place top three or top four in Canada. I’m focusing on hurdles mostly. I strive to achieve my goals in that.”
Next month Kluyts will represent Zone 5 (Black Gold/Yellowhead) in the 100m, 100m hurdles and 200m at the Alberta Summer Games in Leduc.
Two years ago, Kluyts was a multiple medal winner in the hurdles and relay events at the summer games in Airdrie.
Before arriving in Canada, the highlight of Kluyts’ track career was winning silver in the 200m in Grade 7 at a nation-wide track championship in Cape Town.
“There is some similarities (in track) between here and there but I definitely prefer the coaching here. There is a lot more opportunities here too. You have to work hard everywhere but here it just feels more comfortable.”
Track results: Jacob Turpin of Paul Kane was the top junior male high jumper at provincials with a leap of 1.85m after winning the Edmonton zones at 1.78m.
Turpin was unsuccessful at three attempts at 1.88m after surpassing 1.85m.
Visit www.asaa.ca/championships/site/2016-track-field-championships for complete results.
