Luna U20 pentathlon champion

 Golden at provincial combined events championships while

 pole vaulters McCurdy and Piekny take home silver

 January 29, 2023

Jadyn Luna stands atop the podium, winning the U20 women's pentathlon at the Ontario Indoor Combined Events championships, January 29 in Toronto. (photo / courtesy Jadyn Luna)

By Rob J. Ross 

TORONTO, Ont. - Jadyn Luna is a provincial champion.

Luna won the U20 women's pentathlon at the Ontario Indoor Combined events championship, Sunday, at the Toronto track and field Centre, January 29.

The Thorndale resident, who trains with London-Western Club, amassed a personal best (PB) score of 2,800 points, in the five discipline event.

"I'm super happy with my performance," Luna said. "I also got individual PBs in hurdles and shot put."

Luna won shot with a throw of 10.76 meters and was first in hurdles finishing in 9.66 seconds. The 18-year old also won the 800 meter run in two minutes and 42.89 seconds (2:42.89), while placing second in high jump (1.26m) and long jump (4.91m).

"This season I've been focusing on my speed and technique over the hurdles, which I think has paid off," Luna said. "Now I will be concentrating on individual events for the rest of the indoor season. Especially hurdles and being more consistent in long jump."

Luna will attend both the upcoming U20 and open provincial championships, in Toronto.
 

Silver for McCurdy, Piekny

Pole vaulters Libby McCurdy and Matt Piekny, brought home silver medals, from the Ontario Prep indoor meet, at the Toronto track and field Centre, Jan. 28.

McCurdy, from Sparta, placed second in the women's open pole vault, with personal best jump of 3.05 metres.

"I'm so happy," said the 15-year old, who trains with London-Western club. "I didn't even bring any of my poles today, so had to work with what I had."

Clubmate Sophia Bryenton, 16, won with a jump of 3.20 meters.

"She's been doing well at pushing herself to get on bigger poles in practice," said coach Rachel Wolfs.

Piekny, of St. Thomas, wasn't at his best, but took silver, in the open men's event, clearing 3.50 meters.

"Since the start of indoor my jumping has improved a lot, but at this particular meet I was not vaulting to me full ability," Piekny said. "But still happy with the results because now I know what I need to work on."

Coach Wolfs feels Piekny is on the verge on a break through, with four meters in his future.

"I know I can vault higher," Piekny said. "Working on coming out of the back of my run, takeoff position and in the air positions."

Both vaulters will be at the U18 and Open provincials, February, 11-12.


Five top 10s for St. Thomas Legion

Five athletes combined for five top 10 results, representing St. Thomas Legion Club, at the Prep meet.

Fox Gray finished eighth, in the open men's 300 meter dash (38.31 seconds).

Emma Westbook placed seventh, in open mixed women's high jump (1.40m), ninth in long jump (4.45m) and 28th, in the 60 meter dash (8.84 sec.)

Aiyana John tied Westbrook in seventh place in high jump (1.40m), was eighth in open women's long jump (4.53m) and finished 16th, in the U16 girls' 60-meter dash (8.72 sec.)

Fifteen year old Xavier Sauer was 14th in open men's long jump (4.46m) and 19th, in the 60 meter dash (8.41 sec.).

Alexis Gray was 23rd, in the open women's 300 meter dash (47.53 sec.).
 

Knelsen third in 800

Hallee Knelsen, of Malahide, finished third, in the women's 800-meter run, in a time of 2:15.78, at meet held at Hillsdale College, in Michigan, Jan 28.

The sophomore with the Western Mustangs, later helped one of three Mustangs teams in the event, win the women's 4x400-meter relay race.

Vincent Moore, from St. Thomas, also with the Mustangs, finished 19th (2:02.94), in the men's 800 meters.