It was an impressive weekend for grade 11 students Claire Smith and Erin Stenman-Fahey as they took part in the North American Trials for this summer’s Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. Competing against the best from the United States, Mexico and Central America, Smith dominated the girl’s 3000m event, winning handily in 9:50.98 while her next closest competitor finished 20 seconds behind her.This was Smith’s second time wearing the maple leaf this spring after capturing individual bronze and team gold at the NACAC cross country championships in February.
Claiming silver in the 800m was Erin Stenman-Fahey, who was representing Canada first time internationally. Mikaela Smith of the United States won by a couple meters, crossing the line in 2:12.96.
Elsewhere in the United States, Brandon Heroux took third in the javelin at the Colonial Relays in Virginia. Competing at his alma mater, the College of William and Mary, the former All-American had a best throw of 67.97m.
A little further north, in Rochester, N.Y. , Divya Biswal opened up her season with a personal best in the long jump with a leap of 5.43m after the event had been postponed a day due to cold weather. Biswal also won the hurdles in an ECAC qualifying time of 15.77 seconds.
Rounding out the weekend’s performances was 800m runner Samantha Murphy as she took third in the Pepsi Dual in Eugene, Oregon. Running for the Ducks, Murphy finished behind two of her Oregon teammates in 2:06.90.
