Top 5 Finishes across the board for Vancouver Thunderbird Athletes at 2018 BC Summer Games.

From left to right: Thunderbird Athletes Terence Cheung, coach Don Allemeersch, Noelle Yau, Ella Symon, Skye Higgins, Caroline Ho, Matthew Uliana.  

Vancouver Thunderbirds were well represented last weekend at the 2018 BC Summer Games Championships in Cowichan, BC on July 20-21st. In total, six Thunderbirds were selected to represent Zone 5 (Vancouver-Coastal): Ella Symon, Skye Higgins, Noelle Yau, Caroline Ho, Terence Cheung, and Matthew Uliana. Coach Don Allemeersch was also in attendance, after being named as the head Throw's coach for Vancouver's Zone 5. 

Overall, the games provided a tremendous experience for all of our athletes, offering them a glance into higher calibre athletic competition, but also the "games experience" of competing away from home, while residing in an athlete's village amongst other teammates and competitors.  

Thunderbirds posted a number of top five performances in the games: Matthew Uliana earned two silver medals in the boys discus (48.24m) and hammer throw (49.7m), which earned him a spot not only on the podium, but in qualifying for the Legion Youth National T&F Championships in Brandon, Manitoba this August. Matthew continues to progress and improve each season, under the guidance of head coach, Don Alleemersch, whom often praises Matthew for his commitment and dedication.  Furthermore, teammate Terence Cheung earned a silver medal in the 300m hurdles (41.18), as well as a 4th place finish in the boy's 100m hurdles (14.88).  

Skye Higgins and Ella Symon helped pull Zone 5's 4x400m relay to a bronze medal (4:19.50) behind Fraser River's Zone 4 (2nd), and Fraser Valley's Zone 3A (1st). Higgins also earned individual bronze in the 800m with a time of 2:23.00, while Symon placed 5th in the 1500m steeplechase (5:28.19). 

Noelle Yau, also coached by Don Alleemeersch collected triple silver at the games, placing second in shot put (11.26m), discus (31.24m), and javelin (33.76m). She will also be looking to compete at Legion Nationals come August! 

Finally, Caroline Ho left Cowichan with two top five performances, claiming 4th in the girls triple jump (10.62m) and 5th in pole vault (2.60m)

Huge congratulations to all of our Summer Games athletes, and thank you to our coaches for their endless hours of commitment to helping each of them perform at their best! 

#gothunderbirdsgo