Eight Revelstoke youth will be competing in the BC Summer Games in Nanaimo this weekend, July 17–19. Erin Behncke, Rylan Bokis, Megan Cottingham, Elizabeth Elliott, Mitch Kovacs, Cameron McKenzie and Spencer Spannier will compete in the track and field events, while the Kate Granstrom is racing in the triathlon. They are amongst the 3,200 young athletes who will be taking part in 19 sports in the bi-annual athletics competition. We reached out to each of them to learn a bit about them.
Name: Erin Behncke
Age: 15
Sports: Hammer, javelin and discus
How did you get into your sport? I got into throwing in track and field through the high school program. I had previously competed in running events in athletics before joining the high school team.
What do you like about it? I like the atmosphere of the track and field team and the support from fellow competitors. I also enjoy the feeling of throwing.
What's your goal for the games? My goal for the games is to achieve new personal bests in most or all of my events.
Do you have any superstitions before competing? No, but I always double tap my toes on the ground before entering the throwing circle.
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Name: Rylan Bokis
Age: 14
Sports: 200m and 300m
How did you get into your sport? My mom made me do it. She thought it would keep me out of trouble.
What do you like about it? Travelling with the team. And competing against other people.
What's your goal for the games? To show that I deserve to be on the team.
Do you have any superstitions before competing? I do three tuck jumps and in the starting blocks, I crack my knuckles.
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Name: Megan Cottingham
Age: 15
Sports: Pentathlon
How did you get into your sport? I competed at some of the events already. It seemed like a great challenge and I was able to try out some new events through it.
What do you like about it? Pentathlon is great because I get to compete in a variety of events (80m hurdles, 800m, long jump, high jump, and shot put) and throughout the day you get to make friends with your competitors.
What's your goal for the games? My goal for the games is to get new personal bests in hurdles, and 800m for sure and hopefully the other events too!
Do you have any superstitions before competing? I always wear my knee high rainbow socks!
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Name: Elizabeth Elliott
Age: 13 years
Sport: Track
How did you get into your sport? I have always enjoyed running and I was excited to go into grade eight this year so that I could be part of the track team and the running club.
What do you like about it? I like the training part of my sports. I like being fit and also the great friendships I have made.
What's your goal for the games? I know that I am competing with grade nines which will be tough, so my goal is to get some best times.
Do you have any superstitions before competing? No superstitions. I'm just hoping for the best. I can't wait to go.
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Name: Kate Granstrom
Age: 13
Sports: Triathlon
How did you get into your sport? I competed in my first triathlon in 2013 when I was urged into it by some cross country ski friends who were signed up.
What do you like about it? I like triathlon because it combines the activities I like to compete in, all into one race.
What's your goal for the games? My goal for the games is to meet some new people and try out some new races and techniques
Do you have any superstitions before competing? No
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Name: Mitch Kovacs
Age: 15
Sports: Shot put, hammer, discus
How did you get into your sport? I joined the RSS track team in grade eight and got interested in it then.
What do you like about it? I like competing and going to different track meets.
What's your goal for the games? I'm looking forward to meeting lots of people from all over B.C. and doing my best.
Do you have any superstitions before competing? I have lucky socks that I wear to all of the meets.
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Name: Cameron Mckenzie
Age: 14
Sports: Discus, javelin, hammer
How did you get into your sports? I went out for track and field and coach Andy (Pfeiffer) saw something in me to try the disc and I love it!
What do you like about it? It is something new for me other than the other sports I play, and I love the throwing events in track.
What's your goal for the games? To beat my personal best, learn from other contenders, and have a great experience.
Do you have any superstitions before competing? I always plug into my music for about 20 minutes before I need to get ready for my events, to get psyched and ready.
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Name: Spencer Spannier
Age: 14
Sports: 100m hurdles, 200m hurdles, 1500m steeplechase
How did you get into your sport? This was my first opportunity to try out hurdles, and I loved doing it.
What do you like about it? It is more challenging than just running, and not very many people from my school run these races.
What's your goal for the games? My goals are to achieve at least one personal best, and to finish top three in at least one of my events. I would also like to get the correct steps in between every hurdle in my 100m hurdle race.
Do you have any superstitions before competing? I have a perfectly set routine before getting into my starting blocks.