From the gridiron to the track, Parksville’s Dalton Austin is ready for his first trip to the B.C. Summer Games.
Austin, who will be 15 when the games begin, will be competing in both the discus and hammer throw at the B.C. Summer Games. A linebacker and running back during football season, Austin has been taking part in track and field for the past five years, including four years with training in the hammer throw.
“I like the discipline and focus with the hammer throw, it really interests me,” Austin said. “I’ve always been interested in it from a young age. It’s slower paced but I enjoy it because you have to be able to have a good technique and it’s all on you out there.”
Keeping a busy schedule, Austin spends time during the school year playing football, weight lifting, boxing, working with a trainer and track and field on top of schoolwork.
“We moved here from Mexico when I was young and I really like it here,” Austin said. “Growing up in Parksville has been great and going to high school at Ballenas is awesome because I get to enjoy the game of football and have the track right here to practice on too.”
The B.C. Summer Games run July 17-20 in Nanaimo and will feature close to 3,000 athletes from across B.C.
