By Scott Roblin

Panthers Indoor Classic serves as key tune up for local track stars

Feb 13, 2019 | 5:08 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It may be freezing outside, but local track and field athletes have been tearing up the indoor track.

The Medicine Hat Panthers Track & Field Club is coming off its third annual Indoor Classic at the Family Leisure Centre on Saturday, featuring over 80 athletes of all ages showcasing their speed.

One of the most successful racers on Saturday was 12-year-old Zaynna Willoughby, who took home three gold medals in the 60, 150, and 800 metre distances, gold in the 60 metre hurdles, and a bronze in the 1,200 metre competition.

A five-year veteran of the Panthers program, Willoughby said the Indoor Classic allows her to flex her creativity on the track.

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“I really like it because I know that I’m more like a sprinter,” said Willoughby. “But, I also get to do the long distance ones, which I really like because I like competing in all of them.”

Willoughby has now competed in all three of the Panthers Indoor Classics, adding she’s seen her technique improve with each passing year.

“I’ve gotten better in my technique, how fast with my speed,” said Willoughby. “I’ve also learned to like different events, not just what I like, and to try different things.”

That’s a common sentiment according to Panthers president Darryl Smith, who said they were able to spend more time this year on skill development rather than just teaching the basics of track.

“We’re doing less teaching with mistakes or things like that,” said Smith. “Kids know how to run a track meet, they know what they’re doing, and those skills lead into life.”

While the Indoor Classic was a chance at showcasing speed for the athletes, it also was an opportunity to train for a number of upcoming races at the midway mark of the season.

Many local athletes will be headed to the 2019 Alberta Indoor Games in Edmonton on Saturday, while some of the more senior runners will compete at the Canadian Masters Championships in early March.

Smith said one of his favourite parts of being involved with the Panthers is to see high school students be able to use their athletic abilities to secure post-secondary scholarships.

“Scholarships are there,” said Smith. “So, now that we’re seeing a range of kid get involved and they’re choosing it as an off-season training, rather than doing the same sport over and over again, we’re getting a long-term athlete development model.”

Full results from Saturday’s Panthers Indoor Classic can be found here.