Ms. Ayotte has been an amazing coach and mentor for our track athletes for many years now. Not only has she coached, she has also been one of the key organizers at all the North Shore meets. Sadly, Ms. Ayotte is leaving Collingwood to take a new position at Fraser Academy. This is fantastic news for Ms. Ayotte but not for Collingwood track. Not only will her athletes miss her always sunny personality and her first-rate coaching, but it also means that we will be deprived her terrific meet summaries. We wish Ms. Ayotte the best. Here is Coach Ayotte's last report as the Collingwood track coach:
The Collingwood track and field team went out to McLeod Athletic Park in lovely Langley, BC, for the track and field provincials June 1-3. The weather, despite having been sunny in days prior, was a little cloudy for the first two days and gorgeous for one day. Despite the surprise cloud, the Collingwood athletes prevailed with some great performances and some personal bests in the field and on the track.
Some of the highlights included a top ten finish in the 3000 meter by junior Gabrielle Bourgault-Kennaley, who proved that she is not only an outstanding triathlete but also an amazing runner.
Bella Hallam, in her last track and field performance for high-school, racewalked her way to a 16th place finish in the senior girls category. For those that have not tried racewalk, I urge you to try and/or research it. It's a lot harder than it looks (says the coach/writer of this blog who tried it at a coaching clinic). Trust me!
In the senior girls category for the 3000, Charlotte Campbell had a top 20 finish as did Austin Sutherland in the senior boys category. In the 1500, Austin placed an impressive 6th in the province in a field that was one of the fastest the provincials have seen for many years.
In the field, Caitlin Gordon competed in the shot put, discus and javelin and placed in the top 20 for the shot and discus and 22nd for javelin. Musical Casey Thomas-Burns proved that acting and music are not her only talents as she placed in the top 20 in discus and was 23rd in the shot put. Ms. Ayotte watched the throwing events and can honestly say our girls were about half the size of the girls who placed in the top eight. Small and mighty!
The bantam girls relay team was down two runners but still had an impressive performance in their 4 x 400 relay. Ms. Ayotte would like to thank Justine Brongers, Abbey Maier, Liz Mathisen, Jett Gleason and our sub Clare Reynolds. They came out to Langley and raced later on a Friday night during exam time and were infectious with their positive attitudes. Furthermore, Liz Mathisen had recently returned from California, where she had been competing with the junior field hockey team. She came back with a tan as well as two injuries, and she still ran her race.
The coaches would like to thank all of the athletes for working so hard this season in some very grueling weather and for having such positive attitudes. You were a pleasure to coach!
Coach Ayotte will be sorely missed by her colleagues and her athletes. Here she is with Hailey Szybunka at a 2016 meet.
Collingwood's terrific Grade 8 relay team.
Bella Hallam in the North Shore racewalk final.
Charlotte Campbell at the North Shore Championships.
Austin Sutherland finished 6th in his final 1500m race at the BC Championships.
Caitlin Gordon at the North Shore Championships.