TBirds earn top honours at BC Champs

In the Girls 9 year old race Maya Baechler lived up to “favourite” billing by easily winning over the 1500 meters course. Sophie Forsythe finished a really solid cross country season by picking up a bronze medal in the 10 year old race over 2000 meters. She was followed home by a slew of TBirds: Finley Butler in 8th, Miranda Stephens (9^th), Sophie Kazimirski (10^th), Delia Warrington 15^th and Tyne Macdonald (16^th). In the Girls 11 Year Old race Chloe Cady came home a clear winner, while Freya Savage, fresh off a win at the city championships, ended her race in second spot; Jessica Lau finishing well in 21^st place. Paul Paetzel finished 10^th in the boys 11 year old race, while Dylan Uhrich, Theo Bentley and Noah Skarsgard finished 4^th, 9^th and 16^th respectively in the 12 year olds race.

In the high school divisions Taylor Williams picked up a bronze in the Women’s 13 year old division, Megan Fjell and Sarah Jane Mah finished 7^th and 8^th in the 14 year old run, and Paul Fisher narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the boys 14 year old event; Calum MacKenzie following him to the finish in 10^th place. Roberto Pelayo-Mazzone also narrowly missed out on a medal in the 15^th year old race, followed by Ben Paetzel in 8^th place and Lynden Savage in 18^th. In the girls’ 16/17 year old event, Calli Charlton took third place with Emily Morris in 10^th.  Erica Digby finished 9^th in the open women’s event and coach Stan (Jang) came home in second place in the men’s 45 to 49 age group.

In the overall team event TBirds narrowly lost out to the much larger Ocean Athletic's team.

With the Junior Development Series wrapping up, Chloe Cady, May Baechler and Sophie Forsythe were named series winners. Dylan Uhrich and Freya Savage were named runners up.

Thunderbirds and WAC join forces

The Vancouver Thunderbirds is joining forces with one of the world’s strongest private athletics organizations; World Athletics Center Canada.

“As WAC Canada continues to grow in membership, it has become clear that operating this elite athlete program requires an administrative and financial framework in which to operate” said Head of WAC Canada Laurier Primeau. “The Vancouver Thunderbirds Track and Field Club has been looking to re-engage and support international-level athletes to complement its excellent development programs, and this opportunity is the perfect fit for both parties.”

John Bird, President of the Thunderbirds added, “We have always had strong youth and junior programs, and with the advent of our partnership with the World Athletics Center we know that we are now in a position to provide a pathway along the entire developmental continuum on a consistent,ongoing basis.”

Among the athletes who have joined the World Athletics Center Canada in its first season are Heather Hamilton (Pole Vault), Amonn Nelson (200m, 400m), and Rohan Stewart (200m, 400m).

For a full read of this release follow the link below:

http://worldathleticscenter.com/news/wac-canada-partners-with-vancouver-thunderbirds-track-field-club/