Thunder Bay — At NWOSSAA in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior High School is proving success in track and field doesn't depend on top-tier facilities.
It’s forged through grit, determination, and relentless hard work.
With no formal track or dedicated field spaces, athletes from the Terrace Bay school train on grassy patches and circle the school building to prepare.
This hasn’t stopped this year’s 23-member team from leaving their mark, earning spots at OFSAA across multiple events.
Despite limited resources, the team has developed a reputation for excelling in long-distance and field events. Training for races like the 800-metre, 1,590-metre, and 3000-metre means adapting to the environment. Practices take place wherever there’s room, on gravel paths, uneven grass, and even the school’s perimeter.
Carys Carpenter has emerged as a consistent top contender in long-distance. She claimed second place in all three of her races:
- 800-metre – second in 2:30.27, just behind Mikayla Hampson of St. Ignatius (2:25.74)
- 1500-metre – second in 5:10.51, close behind Olivia Vinet from Superior CVI (5:06.92)
- 3000-metre C – second in 12:10.56, again behind Vinet (11:27.44)
“I felt really excited to go out there and show the other competitors what I can do and just really do my best and see where I can go,” Carys said about her 1500m race.
“It feels much better because we have gravel and grass. The surface is uneven, but when we're running on here, it’s so much better, nice and smooth, and it’s easier to run on. It felt really good.”
Heading into the 3000m, her mindset was focused:
“I’m feeling very confident, a little bit nervous, but just excited to compete again and really show school spirit as I’m competing.”
Aiden Carpenter also had a strong showing in the senior boys’ 1500-metre, finishing third with a time of 4:37.64, just milliseconds behind Kolton Anderson (St. Ignatius) and Reid Thompson (Hammarskjold). He also placed fourt th in the 3000m (10:26.49).
“It was a really close race with me and the guy in front of me,” he said. “He had probably like 20m on me until the last little bit, and I started kicking. I almost fell over at the end. It was a fun distance for me. I’m used to running longer races, so I like the 1500 a lot.”
In the novice (intermediate) category, Henry Romanec impressed:
- 800-metre – third in 2:17.09, behind Alex Lemmetty (St. Patrick, 2:15.12) and Brody Horihan (Superior CVI, 2:14.40)
- 1500-metre – second in 4:42.30, behind Luke Caza (St. Patrick, 4:38.39)
- 3000-metre – second in 10:24.24, again behind Caza (10:14.89)
“I came second,” Romanec said. “The first lap I kind of hung back a bit, and then later started gaining places. I was right behind first until probably the last 150m. He really started kicking and got ahead of me quite a bit.”
Other notable long-distance efforts:
- Evie Lake (Junior Girls 800m) – 5th place, 2:44.47
- Macey Roy (Novice Girls 800m) – 10th place, 2:55.59
- Noah Curtis (Senior Boys 800m) – 9th place, 2:32.07
Even without formal pits or circles, the team delivered outstanding results in field events. Training takes place on grass and sand, but the results speak volumes.
- Aiden Fummerton broke both the junior and senior shot put records with a throw of 14.23 metres. He also placed fourth in triple jump (11.19m) and 4th in high jump (1.55m).
- Atticus Pascoe earned third in junior discus with a throw of 34.80 metres.
- Rayleigh Mulligan finished sixth in junior girls’ javelin with a throw of 18.04 metres.
- Calleb Costa placed sixth in the 400-metre (1:03.42) and 7th in the novice 200m (27.11s).
“We have no track to train on. Our kids are running around in front of the school to train for their running. They’re running on our soccer field to train for their sprints and starts. " Field coach Virginia McMillan said, "Our throwers are throwing off of grass and sand, so for them to compete so well here is just phenomenal.”
“The team has been training since September, some since the summer. They’re running about six times a week." Track and distance coach Brandon Pope added "We’re very happy with their showing so far and hoping that the 3K caps off a great two days here in Thunder Bay.”
