REGINA - Three students from the Estevan Comprehensive School travelled to Regina on Saturday for the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association's cross-country provincials.
Kimi Zepeda, a Grade 11 competing in junior boys, finished 22nd with a time of 15 minutes and 14 seconds. DongJun Won, also a Grade 11 in junior boys, completed the circuit in 17:32.
Sarah Kamel, a Grade 10 entered in junior girls, finished in a time of 19:58.
Coach Kelly Phillipchuk said all three athletes set personal bests. He noted Zepeda was more of a sprinter last year and didn't shift his training to cross country until this summer.
"Anytime we can get kids to provincials is the best learning experience that they can have. They get to see other kids warm up and get ready for their races. Having 100 kids at the starting line is just so much fun … I'm looking forward to seeing what these three do in the next couple of years, because it was a great experience for them."
Provincials had a lot of talented athletes this year and the course was fast.
"There was one hill that they go up, it was a man-made hill by Wascana Park, but otherwise a really flat course and really fast," said Phillipchuk.
It was nice to be in Regina, he said, because the last few editions of provincials were in northern Saskatchewan.
Phillipchuk noted ECS had a good contingent of athletes at districts this year, but there were a lot of athletes from other schools. Twenty-five kids were entered at the qualifier in senior boys alone.
"We sent a good team, but unfortunately they didn't make it to provincials. We're hoping for more next year," said Phillipchuk.
The Oxbow Prairie Horizons School sent "an army" of athletes to provincials, Phillipchuk said, and they finished third overall in the 3A division.
Weyburn Comprehensive School student Camden Husband, the son of former Estevan residents Gord and Susan Husband, finished first in intermediate boys with a time of 10:29.
