It was a weekend to remember for Trinity Western University athletes and Spartans alumni alike, as no less than 24 TWU-connected athletes competed in six national and international events in four different countries around the world.
Spartans sprinter Nathan George was amongst the weekend’s biggest winners as he captured the 400m national title at the 2016 Canadian Championships and Rio Selection Trials in Edmonton.
George, who was coming off an indoor season in which he won CIS gold in the 300m, won the Canadian championship with a personal record time of 45.94 seconds.
The recently-graduated Katelynn Ramage also topped the podium at the national meet as she capture gold in the 10,000m race walk with a time of 50:26.65.
The Spartans, who had 15 athletes competing at the Canadian track and field championships, had two other medallists, as Langley’s Nick Colyn won a junior bronze medal in the 3000m steeplechase in 9:15.80, while former men’s basketball star Tyrell Mara earned a bronze in discus with a throw of 50.11 metres.
Meanwhile, in men’s volleyball, the recently-graduated trio of Steve Marshall, Dan Jansen Van Doorn and Rudy Verhoeff helped Canada to an historic FIVB World League win in Portugal, as the Canadian contingent earned the Group 2 title.
With the victory, Canada earned promotion to Group 1, which features the best teams in the world, for the 2017 FIVB World League.
The TWU men’s volleyball team also saw current athletes Jacob Kern and Pearce Eshenko join with incoming Spartan Eric Loeppky to help Canada to a bronze medal at the NORCECA U21 Continental Championships in Gatineau, Que.
Former Spartan setter Chaim Schalk was also in action, as the Rio-bound beach volleyball star finished ninth at the FIVB Gstaad Major in Switzerland.
The TWU women’s volleyball team also had a former star in action as Alicia Perrin helped Canada to a sixth place finish at the NORCECA Pan-American Cup in the Dominican Republic.
Finally, former Spartans track and field athlete turned cyclist Alison Jackson had a strong opening weekend to BC Superweek.
Jackson finished third in the Tour de Delta White Spot/Delta UCI 1.2 Road Race on Sunday in Tsawwassen, and sixth in both of the Tour de Delta criteriums.