GNS Students Excel in Summer Track and Field Competitions

This summer was a standout season for three GNS students who took their athleticism to new heights on the track and in the field. 

Finn Adamson ’27 won the 800m and 1200m at BC Championships, swept the 800m, 1200m and 4×400 relay at BC Summer Games, and brought home bronze in the 1200m and silver in the medley relay at Nationals with Team BC. 

Danica Vrabel ’27 earned a third-place finish at the BC Summer Games and the Provincial Championships in the 2000m. Alexander Cheung ’26 also made waves in the field events, claiming second place in discus at the BC Championships and securing a commendable fifth place at Nationals, where he competed in the U18 division as a 16-year-old against older students.

Danica’s Impressive Journey

For Danica Vrabel, this summer was the culmination of her first full year competing in track and field outside of the school environment. Although new to club-level competition, Danica quickly proved she was more than up for the challenge. With guidance from GNS coach Mr. Colin Adamson, who introduced her to new opportunities, Danica pushed herself to qualify for provincial meets, an experience that taught her about the intricacies of competitive racing.

“I knew I wanted to dive deeper into the sport and understand the strategies better.” Her perseverance paid off when she came third at the Provincials–a significant milestone for a relatively new athlete in the field. 

Danica credits her coaches for her rapid progress. “Mr. Adamson really pushed me to try new things, and through his encouragement, I connected with a local coach who helped guide me to success. I’m excited to continue with track in the years to come and aim to compete at the post-secondary level.”

Alexander’s Strength and Determination

Alexander (Alex) Cheung found success in discus, competing against athletes older than him and still making his presence felt. “I knew going into it that I had a lot of pressure, but I just kept working hard and pushing myself.” Mental fortitude was crucial to his success, noting that without proper mental preparation and determination, it’s difficult to reach your full potential.

Alex also attributes his success to consistent practice and support from his grandfather, who would regularly join him for extra training sessions. “We would go to the field, and my grandpa always pushed me to throw farther and higher,” he said. This dedication helped him refine his technique and gave him the strength he needed to excel in the competitions.

Looking ahead, Alex is focused on balancing his love for discus and his passion for hockey. “I want to go to university in the US on a scholarship for discus, but I also hope to make it in hockey and play in a professional league someday.” For now, Alex is committed to continuing his training in sports while managing a rigorous academic schedule.

Mr. Adamson said that Alex’s performance in discus was outstanding. “A 16 year old competing against 17 year olds, it’s amazing and even unusual to come fifth in the nation at such a young age.”

Finn’s Outstanding Performance

Not to be outdone, Finn Adamson, also a member of GNS’ accomplished athletics program, delivered an outstanding performance in track and field. Over the summer, Finn proved himself a formidable competitor, setting personal bests in the 100m and 200m sprints, where his speed and disciplined training earned him top placements in multiple events.

Finn’s passion for track is evident in the way he approaches his training. Finn had immense success at the BC Club Provincial Championships in early July, where he won gold in the 800m and 1200m events. His performances earned him a place on Team BC to compete at the national level.

The following week, Finn competed at the BC Summer Games, where he continued his winning streak. He secured gold in the 1200m and anchored the 4x400m relay team to victory. He also took home gold in the 800m, earning three gold medals at the Games.

In August, Finn represented Team BC at Nationals, where he competed against the top U16 athletes in the country. “I won the Team BC sportsmanship award at Nationals, which was a real honour,” Finn added.

Reflecting on his experience, Finn described how competing at the national level challenged him in ways unforeseen. “In BC, I haven’t really been racing against anyone who can push me as much. I’m often leading the race and using others for motivation, but at nationals, I had to push myself mentally and physically. It was a true test of resilience as I found myself passing and being passed by others, something I hadn’t experienced before.”

Finn expressed gratitude to those who supported him throughout the season. “I’d like to thank the Legion, specifically the BC/Yukon Command, for their support. It meant a lot to be part of such a great team.”

With a summer of personal bests, medals and national-level competition, the future looks bright for Finn, Danica and Alex as they continue to develop their skills and represent GNS on the provincial and national stage in track and other athletic and academic endeavours.