Storm Zablocki has hit the ground running in his first season in high school track and field.
The Grade 9 student at Carlton has set new records in the 100 metre and 200 metre dash races in the midget boys’ division as he gears up to represent the North Central District at next weekend’s provincial championships in Moose Jaw.
Although he’s turned in dominating performances over the last two weeks at the Harry Jerome Track, Zablocki is still looking for ways to get better.
“I’m trying my hardest each time that I’m out there,” Zablocki said.
“I know that I can be a lot better on my starts and have more pure speed, but that’s something that I will probably get better at over time.”
The fact that Zablocki feels like he could improve on his showings might be bad news for anyone that goes against him in Prince Albert over the next few years.
He broke an eight-year old city record last week with a time of 23.59 in the 200m event and set a new district mark with a 11.51 in the preliminary race for the 100m dash Thursday morning.
“His attitude towards training is what really stands out,” Prince Albert Athletics sprint coach Mike Taylor said. “He really wants to get the best out of himself and to be one of the best, so he’s always asking questions and putting in a lot of work.
“Even though he won both events over the last two days, I’m sure he’s probably going to go home and analyze things in his head to figure out what he can get better at.”
After competing in the elementary ranks for four years at Vickers School, Zablocki has started to focus more on track and field this year under the guidance of Taylor.
“I love the sprint events,” Zablocki said. “The adrenaline rush that you get from competing in the 100 and 200 metre races is just awesome.”
The excitement that comes from being in those races is already start to build for the provincials, which will take place at Gutheridge Field in Moose Jaw next Friday and Saturday.
“I’ve had the chance to race against the fastest guy in Saskatchewan (Ryder Hardy of Marion Graham in Saskatoon) in the past and I’m really looking forward to competing against him again,” Zablocki said.
“When it comes to athletes like Storm who are going to the provincials for the first time, the biggest thing that we tell them is to do their own thing and to not be intimidated by the surroundings,” Taylor added. “When you are up against the Regina and Saskatoon kids it can sometimes be a little daunting for those that are from smaller centres.”
The full results from the North Central district meet can be found at paathletics.ca
