Ben Lypka
Abbotsford News
Mission’s Harrison Trustham is riding a strong spring on the track straight into the 2016 Abbotsford BC Summer Games in July.
The Grade 8 Heritage Park Middle School student is set to compete in both the 100 metres and 200 metres running events at the Games, and is looking to build on a breakout spring.
Trustham, who also excelled in hurdles events during the spring, earned silver in both the Grade 8 boys 200 m run and 200 m hurdles at the Upper Fraser Valley Track and Field Championships on May 4 and 5. He followed that up with a another silver in the 200 m hurdles at the Fraser Valley Track and Field Championships from May 16 to 19.
Trustham finished off the school schedule by being the only athlete from Mission to earn medals in the Grade 8 Track and Field provincial championships from June 9 to 11. He earned a silver in the 100 m hurdles, and took home bronze in the 200 m hurdles.
Christa McAuley, who coached Trustham at Heritage Park, said he’s really developed this year.
“He just started hurdles this year and took to them very quickly,” she said, noting he was the top performer overall on the Heritage Park track team. “He finished top three in the hurdles and all sprints in almost every track meet he entered this season.”
Ivon Singh Gill, the director for the Valley Royals, said it will be exciting for Trustham and other local kids to perform on what is considered their home track.
“I think the kids are really excited and there is a sort of home advantage,” he said. “This is a very personal and individual sport and there is always the adjustment of going to a new place, and the food and rest you need for a race. We have home advantage and I think our athletes are used to this track. It will be a great comfort for them.”
Trustham hits the track at Rotary Stadium starting with practice on July 21, with warm-ups and competition running from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 22 and 23. Medals will be handed out on both the 22nd and the 23rd. It all wraps up with the final events on July 24 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Games run from July 21 to 24 in various locations around Abbotsford and the surrounding areas. For more information on the event, visit bcgames.org.