The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The potential is there for this to be the season of success for Hapnot Collegiate's track and field team. Tryouts started on Monday, and hoopla surrounds the entire team. "The good thing on the team is lots of JV interest," said Hapnot coach, Steve Lytwyn. "There is a good core of SV leadership-lots of experience." Lytwyn is looking forward to see how the JV boys do in the 4x1 relay. Last year the team won in provincials. "That's unheard of," he said, impressed. "They did well at city and just missed qualifying." The good news is Lytwyn believes there is potential for success and provincials dances in his mind. One runner who hopes to assist the JV's is Peter Weber, who is in Grade 10. Peter's strength lies in the hurdles and he believes he can make it to provincials. "Everyone says it's so hard and it feels good to prove people wrong," he said. He also intends to provide a leadership role with the JV's. "I know what I'm doing," Peter said. "I can provide coaching." Last season Hapnot finished second to Thompson in the highs school standings by six points. The big achievement came individually. "Lots of people did well at zones and were successful at rural," Lytwyn said. "We had several medallists." One athlete being counted on is Jeanelle LeClair. "She's huge into track," said the Hapnot coach. Last year Jeanelle earned a gold in triple jump for provincials, silver in 4x4 and a bronze at city provincials for the triple jump. "It's my last year and I want to do well," Jeanelle said. "I want to get first at city and I want to set a record in the triple jump which is 11 metres." Heidi Rainville is another senior who wants to go the distance. "I want to make it to city," Heidi said. Her strength is in the 400 m relay. "I like it because it's hard-once it's done it's rewarding," she said. Lytwyn said Hapnot has roughly six to 12 athletes who take the sport serious. "I'm very happy about that," he said. "I'm kind of excited for our 4x1 seniors. We might have new speed and I'm interested to see what they will do," he added. He's hoping to have 40-45 runners on the team once the tryouts are complete. Due to wet ground conditions, that is unknown.
