2020 B.C. Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships Recap

B.C. MASTERS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Feb 28-Mar 1, 2020

Tournament Capital Centre, Kamloops

The 2020 B.C. Masters Indoor track and field championships were held at the Tournament Capital Centre on the grounds of Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.  The Masters championship was held in conjunction with the Van Ryswyk Invitational Meet.  Although the entries were low, there were many outstanding performances.  The Masters athletes broke 25 existing BC Masters records and 4 Canadian records.  One Canadian and one BC Masters record was tied and two new BC Masters standards were set in the M35 age category.

Mark Steward and Tom Ukonmaanaho were the most outstanding male athletes of the meet, each breaking three BC Masters records and both were on the M75 team that broke two Canadian records in the 4x200m and 4x400m relays.  Mark broke three BC M75 records in the 800m (2:56.97), 1500m (6:26.11) and 3000m (13:34.72).  Tom broke three BC M75 records in the 60m (9.17), 200m (30.72) and pole vault (2.30m).  Monica Pomietlarz was the most outstanding female athlete of the meet.  Monica broke two Canadian Masters records in the W60 high jump (1.40m) and shot put (10.20m).

Elaine Whidden broke two BC records in the W65 200m and 400m and was on the relay team that broke the BC record in the W55 4x200m.  Lynn Thompson broke two BC records in the M80 60m hurdles and triple jump.  Cindy O'Brien Hugh broke her own record in the W60 400m and she was also on the team that broke the BC relay record in the W55 4x200m.

Sunette Lessing tied the Canadian W50 high jump record (1.50m).  Breaking one BC Masters record were: Donald Currie (M85 1500m), Kelly Sharp (M65 3000m), Marilyn Benz (W70 shot put), Bruce Butcher (M85 shot put), Gerda Crosthwaite (W80 shot put), Harnek Toor (M70 weight throw), Suzanne Sharp (W65 3000m race walk), Gary Silvester (M50 pentathlon) and Sven Donaldson (M70 pentathlon).  Setting new BC Masters standards were Dwight Liburd (M35 triple jump) and Jonathan Sawatzky (M35 high jump). 

Joining Elaine and Cindy on the record-breaking W55 4x200m relay team were Sharon Hann and Denise Bonin.  Arthur Gee and Surinder Shah were on the record-breaking M75 4x200m and 4x400m relay teams.

As usual the Kamloops Track and Field Club hosted an outstanding meet.  The Masters athletes thank the officials and volunteers for their dedication and hard work for the three days of competition.