Maggie Smith’s record-breaking weekend continued Saturday at the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation track and field championships in Sydney.
The Grade 11 student at Sacred Heart School in Halifax smashed the senior girls’ provincial record in the 3,000 metres, a day after she shattered the 1,500m record set by Robyn Meagher in 1984.
Smith ran 9:49.38 to easily win the 3,000 at the Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex on the CBU campus. The old record of 10:16.18 was set by Laura Englehutt of Halifax Grammar School in 2006.
Smith finished over a minute ahead of runner-up Bhreagh Burke of J.L. Ilsley (10:49.67).
Smith also captured the 800m to sweep the trifecta of distance races she was entered on the weekend. She crossed the line in 2:14.56, well ahead of second-place Katie Blunden of the Halifax Grammar School (2:23.80). She won all three distance races last year as an intermediate.
Four other provincial records were established at the two-day meet. On Saturday, Duncan McLaughlin of King’s-Edgehill set a new mark in the intermediate boys’ discus with a distance of 42.37 metres. Northumberland’s Parker Swain was second at 41.90m.
On Friday, Advocate’s Gabrielle Fraser broke the senior girls’ triple jump record with a distance of 11.71 metres, finishing ahead of runner-up Erin McCavour of Cobequid (11.31).
Park View’s Nick Landry now owns the provincial mark in the intermediate boys’ 100m hurdles. He won in 14.19, 0.52 of a second ahead of Panthers teammate Nolan Wentzell (14.71).
Cara MacDonald of New Glasgow Academy broke the junior girls’ 400m record in 1:00.06. She edged out Rylin Matheson of Astral Drive (1:01.49).
The Cobequid Cougars dominated by winning the senior and intermediate boys and girls titles.
St. Andrew captured the junior girls banner while EB Chandler won the junior boys.
Cobequid also took the Division 1 banner while Dr. J.H. Gillis won in Division 2 and Halifax Grammar School in Division 3.
Smith shatters 34-year old 1,500-m record
Smith, who ran 4:28.32 to shatter the Nova Scotia Schools Athletic Federation record set by Robyn Meagher in 1984 (4:35.7), was far in front of the rest of the field by the race’s first turn.
“I think that even though there was a gap, it was exciting to have the girls motivated behind me, and also just knowing that I was going for a time, going for a personal best, that really pushed me, as well as having my teammates and my coaches and friends cheering for me was really motivating as well,” Smith told the Chronicle Herald in a phone interview. “Those girls are the best, I actually run with two of them at my club and they’ve become friends so it’s great to celebrate each other’s accomplishments. Everyone was really nice after I finished, and I was excited for them. There’s great camaraderie in the sport.”
Smith, whose previous PB of 4:29 was set three weeks ago at the Athletics Nova Scotia warm up meet, will run the 800 and 3,000 metres on Saturday. She won all three distance races last year as an Intermediate.
On Friday, she ran in close to ideal conditions at the CBU facility in Sydney. “There was a little bit of wind on the hundred-metre stretch, but other than that it was really hot and sunny so it was pretty good.”
“To have a record not just from anyone but from Robyn Meagher, who went to the Olympics, it’s really something special.” the Sacred Heart runner said to Eastlink TV. “The record was on my mind but more importantly I wanted to come out here, run a great race and set a personal best, so I did that.”
