Skip to content

QC student wins big in Smithers

There may be no track to train on and no track and field program at Queen Charlotte Secondary, but that didn't stop a student from success at the recent Northwest Track and Field finals in Smithers.
Grade 9 student Billy Yovanovich of Skidegate won the long jump, came in third in the high jump and fourth in the shot put, discus, and 3,000 metre run at the event in Smithers on May 19-20. He is now qualified to attend the BC Summer Games in Kamloops from July 28-30.
His mother, Joanne Yovanovich, said she wasn't expecting him to do so well. He and teacher Neal Currie decided only the day before to head to the competition and Ms Yovanovich said her son didn't even have proper track shoes. Luckily, Mr. Currie was able to lend him an old pair. Although he plays basketball and soccer, the Mother's Day run was his first formal race and he doesn't even jog.
"We are extremely proud of him," she said.
Ms Yovanovich says Billy was impressed with all the different sports in track and field, like the hammer throw and pole vaulting.
She said running on a track was a whole different experience for Billy. He and Mr. Currie are now using the Spirit Lake Trail to train for the summer event.