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Powell River track athlete medals at national contest

Samantha Baron finishes season on high note
Samantha Baron Powell River
PODIUM FINISH: Track and field athlete Samantha Baron finished off a successful competitive season representing BC at the Legion Youth Nationals last month in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The 17-year-old Brooks Secondary School student won the bronze medal in both her events; the 100-metre and 400-metre hurdles. Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships photo

Track and field athlete Samantha Baron finished out a successful season of competition by winning bronze in both her events, the 100-metre and 400-metre hurdles, at the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships held August 5 to 9 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The 17-year-old Brooks Secondary School student was one of 25 athletes selected to represent Team BC in the U18 category.

It was incredible, I loved every minute of it,” said Baron. “Meeting all of the kids and being part of a team like that, it’s crazy. Everyone there is so talented. You feel like ‘I don’t belong here,’ but then you realize ‘I qualified, too.”

Baron was selected to the team after winning gold in the 400-metre hurdles at theBC Athletics Track and Field Championship Jamboree in Kamloops in July. The club meet served as the selection trials for the Canadian championships. She also won gold in the 400-metre event this spring at the BC High School Track and Field Championshipsin a personal best time.

“I managed to drop three seconds in one race,” she said. “I was not expecting that. My competitive edge came out.”

Baron said she attributes much of her success to the coaching she receives from Connie Polman Tuin.

“She’s an amazing coach. I don’t know what I’d do without her, honestly,” said Baron. “She’s definitely helped me with every technical aspect and getting my head in the right space for events.” 

Polman Tuin, who along with Scott Glaspey, Dean Thorsell and Graham Cocksedge coaches the Brooks track and field club, said the progress Baron has made is impressive.  

“She’s only been in track for a little while,” said Polman Tuin.  “She just started in grade nine, so it’s pretty amazing how far she’s come. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for her.”

Baron travelled from Powell River on her own, meeting up with teammates in Vancouver and travelling together to Nova Scotia. 

“It was kind of cool figuring out that whole process by myself,” she said. “It was a first.”

In addition to the competition, the Cape Breton Legion planned many activities for provincial teams that stayed at Cape Breton University, including dances, a banquet and sightseeing trips. A highlight was a visit to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, according to Baron. It was fitting as this year’s competition medals honour the 75th anniversary of D-Day, she added. 

Previously, Baron competed in one event at nationals two years ago in Brandon, Manitoba, placing sixth. This year, she was one of only three athletes on the U18 team who earned multiple medals. After a three week break, Baron, now in grade 12, is eager to start training again and set future goals both on the track and beyond. 

“I’m hoping to improve my time and with that hopefully scholarships will come; that’s the goal,” she said.

Baron said fellow Canadian hurdler Sage Watson is an athlete who inspires her.  

“I generally just focus on my own thing but I pay attention to what’s going on with Sage,” she added. “She’s training in Arizona now and went to school there. I’m hoping to meet her one day if I keep on my track path.”