Okanagan athlete secures scholarship to University of Hawaii

In nan track and field athletics of hammer throw, 2 Canadian athletes are presently dominating nan world stage.

There’s a 3rd who hopes to beryllium basking connected their heels 1 day, but is presently headed for Hawaii.

Camryn Rogers and Ethan Katzberg, some from B.C., are world champions and are contenders for medals astatine nan Paris Olympics this summer.

Hoping to travel successful their footsteps is Elise Drake of Kelowna who precocious topped nan under-20 section astatine nan caller nationalist way and section championships.

The championships ran June 26-30 successful Montreal — which is wherever Drake, 17, made a gold-medal winning propulsion of 51.51 metres. The metallic medallist, Sophia Saldutto of Ontario, had a propulsion of 51.18.

In elder women, Rogers crushed nan section pinch a propulsion of 75.05 metres. Kaila Butler of Kamloops was 2nd astatine 66.39 metres.

But backmost to Drake.

The Kelowna Secondary School postgraduate has been throwing nan hammer since she was 9 years old. Her extremity is to compete successful nan 2032 Olympics successful Australia.

Drake has a bully changeable astatine getting location — she precocious nailed down a afloat danasiwa to nan University of Hawaii.

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So, this winter, while we’re shovelling snowfall successful nan Okanagan, Drake will beryllium hurling hammers successful Maui.

“Hammer propulsion is simply a very specialized event,” said Drake, “and it’s difficult to find a coach successful your area that’s knowledgeable.”

As to really she sewage into hammer propulsion successful nan first place, Drake said, “I conscionable kinda picked it up arsenic a small spot of a hobby erstwhile I was younger. But now to spot I’ve gone this acold is beautiful crazy.”