Posted: June 6, 2004

Athletics: Mason Jumps 2.20 Metres To Smash BC High School Record

Seventeen year old Michael Mason jumped 2.20 metres to smash his own record (2.12m) at the BC High School Championships held Saturday, June 5 at Swangard Stadium. Mason's performance is probably the best height ever recorded by a true grade 12 Canadian high school athlete.

After Mason entered the competition at 1.95 he cleared 2.13, 216 and 2.20 metres on his first attempt. He then put the bar at 2.23 metres but was not able to negotiate that height. Mason's performance establsined a new BC Junior record. The exisiting record was established in 1975 by Greg Joy who went on to win the silver medal at the 1976 Olympic Games.

Another impressive record was established when sixteen year old Sabrina Netty won the girls' triple jump with a meet record of 12.01 metres. Netty also captured the gold medal in the girls' 100 metres with a time of 12.01 seconds.

Joel Primus, who had five months off due to an injury, was able to defend both his 1500 and 3000m titles that he won last year. Primus pulled off a minor upset by coming from behind to beat favoured Chris Winter in the 3000 metres on Friday (8:3522 to 8:38.80) and then won the 1500 on Saturday with a time of 3:57.

Other impressive performances included sixteen year old Lisa Egami's victory in the girls' 800 metres (2:11.77), Geof Martinson who won the boys' 800m (1:53.25) and Cory Fell who won the girls' 400 metres in 60.77.

Full results of the BC High School meet can be found at www.bcsscctfa.bc.ca.

From: Gerry Swan