Last week, the SFU track and field team headed to Idaho to compete in the GNAC Indoor Championships. They came home with plenty to show for it.
The Clan entered as potential favourites in a number of events, particularly the distance medley relays where both the men’s and women’s sides were ranked number one going in — and neither side would have to wait long to get their opportunity.
Both sides raced on the first day of the champiosnhips, and both sides came away victorious. Keir Forster opened the race for the Clan, followed by Stuart Ellenwood, Adam Reid, and anchored by Ryan Brockerville. Brockerville quite literally ran the race of his life, setting a new personal best on his leg of the race. Meanwhile the quartet’s time of 10:04.48 set a new meet record, and gave the Clan the victory.
On the women’s side, the team of Lindsey Butterworth — fresh off GNAC Athlete of the Week honours — followed by Abbey Vogt, Sarah Sawatzky, and Michaela Kane earned another victory for SFU, finishing with a top time of 12:11.42.
“Our team’s performance was great [on the first day],” said head coach Brit Townsend. “We have the smallest team here and are getting some great results.
“Our goal was to come away with some strong performances to build a foundation . . . to match the top schools.”
The Clan’s success continued on day two, earning two second-place finishes and one more win. Andrea Abrams ran well enough to earn second place in the 60-metre hurdle event, while Brockerville did the same in his mile-long race.
Butterworth, who has been a star for the Clan all season, and in just her second year, earned the team’s final victory with a one-second victory over Seattle Pacific’s Heidi Laabs-Johnson in the one-mile race. To round out her weekend, she finished fourth just behind teammate Michaela Kane in the 800-metre race.
All in all, it was a very productive weekend for the Clan, and they are no doubt well on their way to asserting their spot as one of the top teams in the conference. And now, with the 2012 GNAC season officially in the books, the Clan have
the opportunity to make their mark on the outdoor season come March.
