It was fitting that Eli Kastelein won his first provincial high school track and field gold medal at McLeod Athletic Park.
“It felt amazing to win and it is really nice getting to do it right here in Langley,” Kastelein said.
“I’ve spent hundreds of long days training at the McLeod track so it was nice to end off my high school career there with such a great memory.”
Kastelein, a Grade 12 student at Langley Christian, won gold in the 400m hurdles on Friday afternoon, crossing the finish line in 55.26 seconds. The time shaved almost two seconds off of his personal best.
“I knew I was capable of running a winning time, it was just a matter of doing it at the right time,” he said.
Kastelein still remembers first attending the B.C. high school championships when he was in Grade 8.
“It totally blew me away, seeing all the talent,” he said.
“(And) I knew this was my fifth and final shot at a provincial gold medal so I did everything I could to cross that finish line first.”
Two years ago, Kastelein placed eighth and last year he won the bronze medal.
He has spent the past couple of years training with the Langley Mustangs Track and Field Club. He has also signed his letter of intent to attend Portland’s Concordia University where he will compete in the NAIA.
Langley Christian’s Aidan Kits was fourth in the 400m while Nick Colyn was fifth in the 2000m steeplechase.
