Four personal bests, five gruelling events, and one shiny silver medal – not a bad national debut for 14-year-old Rayah Underwood.
The Central Saanich athlete, who trains with the Peninsula Track and Field Club and Speed Mechanics, claimed second place in the U16 girls’ pentathlon at Foothills Athletic Park in Calgary, Alta., held Aug. 8-10.
She posted a total score of 3,051 in the all-in-one-day competition – 80-metre hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and 800 metres.
Underwood thrived under the pressure, setting personal bests in four events. She hit 10.65 metres in shot put, 4.91 metres in long jump, 12.77 seconds in hurdles and posted a lifetime-best score overall.
“It was very cool,” Underwood told Peninsula News Review. “I’ve never been to a national meet before and coming out with a medal was such a great experience. I really wanted to get some personal bests – and I did.”
Her biggest leap forward came in shot put, adding nearly half a metre to her previous best. That throw vaulted her into the overall lead midway through the competition before she eventually settled into second place after the final two events.
Her father, Darrell, who travelled to Calgary with Rayah, said the result capped years of dedication.
“She’s trained very hard this past year to improve her track and field,” he said. “Coming out of provincials, she had the option to go to nationals and put in another month of training to prepare – it gives you a lot of pride to see her work so hard for something.”
The Legion Nationals, hosted annually by the Royal Canadian Legion in partnership with Athletics Canada, brings together the country’s top youth athletes.
Greater Victoria was well represented in Calgary.
St. Margaret’s student Ciara Faith McKenzie struck gold in U18 women’s discus. Levi Seel earned bronze in javelin for Team BC. Levi Venables took silver in the 400-metre hurdles. Tristan Hill of Victoria Speed Project also competed, along with Peninsula Track and Field Club’s Coen Holmgren, who raced in middle-distance events.
Underwood also competed in the triple jump later in the week, but her sights are already set further ahead.
“I’d love to go to university for sport one day,” she said. “My coaches have been amazing – they make such a difference. I hope this is just the beginning of my athletic pursuit."
