Local athletes took full advantage of their home turf last weekend as they raked in the medals at the 14th annual Garriock Track Meet at the Cowichan Sportsplex.
Members of the CVAC Jaguars collected a total of 109 medals at the two-day meet, part of the Vancouver Island Athletics Association series. The meet attracted 340 athletes from across the Island, including 70 from the host club.
"Our track meet is favoured as the best due to location, and we always manage to supply the best weather," CVAC president Wendy Palou said.
Palou noted that such massive events aren't easy to stage.
"I personally would like to send a huge thank-you to all the volunteers that make this happen," she said. "It requires many man hours and two long days, and the CVAC parents and athletes all helped this happen."
The Jaguars' two entries in the 18-19 age group both finished with three gold medals: Liam Lindsay in the men's 400m, long jump and triple jump, and Tia Baker in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
In the 16-17 women's division, Chicago Bains won gold in the 200m, 80 hurdles and 300m hurdles, and silver in the 100m behind teammate Taryn Smiley, who also claimed silver in the 200m. Nicole Lindsay placed third in the 200m, and also earned silver in the 400m. Belle White finished with silver in the 1500m and 3000m, and Emily Lindsay took silver in triple jump.
In the 16-17 men's division, Ben Williams collected gold in the high jump, silver in long jump and bronze in the 200m. Kabir Bellerose claimed silver in the 300m hurdles and bronze in the 100m and 200m, and Chase Gunderson won gold in triple jump.
In the 14-15 girls division, Emerald White claimed silver in the 1500m race walk, Emma Dewit took silver in shot put, and Sarah Rosen took bronze in javelin.
Luke Armstrong won three golds in the 14-15 boys division, in the 300m, 800m and 1200m, while Sion Griffiths won gold in shot put and silver in hammer, and Pierson Atsma took bronze in triple jump.
In the 13-year-old girls division, Madelyn Pollock won gold in the 100m, 80m hurdles and 200m hurdles, and Emma Wilson placed first in the 2000m. Danae Gendall took silver in the 80m hurdles and bronze in long jump. Kahlil Fontana took silver in the 13-yearold boys 200m and bronze in the 100m.
Reece Fougner-Rukus collected seven medals in the 12-year-old girls division: gold in the 80m hurdles and high jump, silver in long jump, javelin, shot put and hammer, and bronze in the 200m hurdles. Lavendar White took silver in the 1200m, Naveen Nijjar earned bronze in the 300m, and Constance Louie took bronze in the 800m.
Standouts in the younger age groups included Jayda Lauzon with seven medals in the 11-yearold girls division, Margo Blumel with triple gold in the 10-year-old girls division, and Josh Ketch with a team-high nine medals in the nine-year-old boys division.
For complete medal winners in the younger age groups, visit www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com