Two years ago, Alvin Los hadn’t even given the high jump a chance.
But at the insistence of the track and field coach for Langley Christian School — who saw Los’ height and jumping ability on the basketball court — she convinced him to give the sport a try.
Last year, he won silver at the B.C. high school track and field championships. But on Saturday, on day two of the 2011 championships held at Burnaby’s Swangard Stadium, Los did one better, winning the gold medal in the high jump.
“When I started, I didn’t have any technique, I just jumped,” he admitted.
Los cleared 1.95m — the same height as the year before — but this time it was enough for the gold.
“It felt really good because it was the first time I jumped in the sun,” he said.
“It has rained every other meet I have been to.
“(The nice weather) was good for your attitude, I guess.”
Los and St. George’s Bashir Khan both actually cleared the same height, but Los got the gold by virtue of doing it in less tries.
He credits joining the Langley Mustangs Track and Field Club last summer as a big reason for his development.
“Just a lot more training, and trainer harder and longer,” he said.
The graduating senior was a bit disappointed he failed to at least match his personal best, which is 2.0m, or come close to achieving the national standard height of 2.04m.
Los will continue to train and compete with the Mustangs this summer and then he is off to Iowa’s Dordt College on a track and field scholarship.
