Prophet River track athlete to participate in high school provincials

FORT NELSON, B.C. — A member of Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) will be among the representatives from northeast B.C. at this week’s high school track and field championships.

Chanelle Chipesia-Burton will be among nine members from Fort Nelson Secondary School (FNSS) to take part in the event in Langley.

In doing so, she will also represent the people of PRFN.

“It’s nice to feel that I’m an inspiration to some people,” said Chipesia-Burton. “I just want to inspire people to just get out of the house, anything [to be active].”

Having only taken up track in her first year at FNSS, Chipesia-Burton compliments her coaches Heather Sparshu and Dwayne Legge for being really “supportive” in her efforts.

“So far, [the season] has been really good,” said Chipesia-Burton. “[The coaches] have made me a lot better.

“Having that support system and knowing someone is there for you when you do bad in an event [is great].”

The grade nine student competes in multiple events, including the 100 metres, both the 80-metre and 300-metre hurdles, the long jump and the 4×100-metre and 4×400-metre relay.

Chipesia-Burton’s small squad from FNSS also had the opportunity to head to Prince George in early May at Masich Place Stadium at the North Central Zone Track Championships. 

There Chipesia-Burton’s best results were a top ten finish in both the 80-metre and 300-metre hurdles, finishing in eighth in the shorter distance with a time of 19.13 seconds, and in fifth in the longer distance with a time of one minute, 17.84 seconds.

She also had a strong performance in the long jump placing 14th, and her team also competed in the 4×100-metre and 4×400-metre finals.  

Chipesia-Burton told Energeticcity.ca that training involves around three hours per week since the season began in April both at school practices and just “running around” her neighbourhood.

As a result of her efforts, she will be heading to Langley with her FNSS squad this week for the provincial championships, having qualified in the 4×400-metre relay as a wild-card entry. 

Chipesia-Burton admits heading south for the event, which involves a two-day bus ride, makes her “nervous.”

“It’s a big city,” said Chipesia-Burton. “There’s a lot of people [there].”

The B.C. AA and AAA high school track and field championships will take place from Thursday, June 5th to Saturday, June 7th at McLeod Athletic Park Stadium in Langley hosted by BC School Sports.

Further details about the event can be found on its website.