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Track and Field Championships draws 1,118 athletes

Hay River has once again done something that it has proven over the years to be very good at doing.

From June 6 to June 8, the community hosted the NWT Track and Field Championships for the 28th time.

Students from Chief Sunrise Education Centre – including, left to right, Sheena Yakinneah-Sabourin, Kayleigh Buggins and Amy Norn – lead teams into the Hay River Rec Centre at the June 6 opening of the NWT Track and Field Championships. Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

This year, the championships attracted 1,118 athletes, and 173 coaches.

The 34 teams came from 18 communities.

"I think it went excellent," said Tim Borchuk, one of the two co-ordinators for the championships.

Borchuk noted there were close to 300 volunteers, which was about the same community support as in previous years.

The turnout of athletes was about what he had expected.

"I can't remember when we've been under 1,100," he said. "We've been there for a while."

Borchuk was also pleased with the "amazing" weather for the championships, despite forecasts of possible rain and even thunderstorms.

"You couldn't ask for better weather," he said.

Fiona Huang, an athlete from Diamond Jenness Secondary School, enjoyed the championships.

"It was a lot of fun," she said, adding, "It was my last year representing my high school. I'm graduating this year."

Huang ended her high school athletic career on a winning note, being named the top female in her age category at the championships.

"It's going out with a bang, and I'm hoping to do track in university," she said, noting she is heading to the University of Toronto.

Huang expects she will miss competing in the NWT Track and Field Championships.

"There's nothing beats running at home," she said. "I'm definitely going to miss this."

The opening ceremonies for the championships were held for the first time in the new Rec Centre, where the athletes gathered on the evening of June 6.

Last year, the opening ceremonies were held on the field between Princess Alexandra School and Harry Camsell School because the Rec Centre was being rebuilt.

The opening ceremonies were attended by a number of dignitaries, including Premier Bob McLeod.

Borckuk noted the championships took place this year without the presence of two key volunteers – Pat Bobinski and Jill Taylor, who both passed away since last year's event.

"We finally realized how much they did behind the scenes and organizing things for you, because then all of a sudden there it was and you have to scramble to get it done because they did it," said Borchuk.

The championship concluded on the afternoon of June 8 with an awards presentation, and one of the team trophies went to a Hay River school.

Ecole Boreale was awarded the trophy as the team displaying the best sportsmanship.

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Paul Bickford/NNSL photo Students from Chief Sunrise Education Centre – including, left to right, Sheena Yakinneah-Sabourin, Kayleigh Buggins and Amy Norn – lead teams into the Hay River Rec Centre at the June 6 opening of the NWT Track and Field Championships.