Where Have All the Athletes Gone ?

By Kelly Sharp

Hurdles, like most events attracted small numbers to the Zone Track and Field Finals  at Masich Place Stadium.

The days of 400 plus track and field athletes competing at the North Central Zone high school championships are long gone. The sport of track and field continues to take a big hit in zone high school participation.  If the 2007 edition of the zone championship is an indication the decline in numbers will continue next year. The 2-day qualifier for the provincial high school track and field championships registered 183 athletes to Masich Place Stadium with visiting participation easily outnumbering Prince George representation. Six Prince George schools could only attract a total of 30 participants to the athletic event.

“There is too much competition with other sports,” said zone meet director Brian Martinson. “Seasons never end anymore with all the club teams tapping into high school athletes.”

“Our numbers are going down so much, it’s so sad,” lamented Correlieu Secondary track and field coach Pat Marsh. The long-time physical education teacher from Quesnel expressed her frustration over the dwindling popularity of a sport that produced many scholarship bound athletes from the north central school district. She understands the individual sacrifice needed to excel in a track and field discipline but is puzzled why more athletes are not attracted to the sport for its cross-training benefits.

“There is something for everybody, no matter the size,” said Marsh about the sport of running, throwing and jumping. “Track is so affordable.”

The drop in track and field participation at the north central zone high school event has some sounding alarm bells for the future of the zone championship. Brian Martinson has made it known he is stepping down as zone meet director after 8 ½ years. As of yet, no one has stepped forward to fill the role for next year.

 Forty one north central  athletes head to Burnaby this week for the BC Secondary School track and field championships June1-2 at Swangard Stadium.

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