SUNDRE — The tantalizing tease of slightly cool breeze wasn't quite enough to keep at bay the unencumbered sun’s heat on a cloudless day recently during a school division cross-country meet hosted in town.
More than 100 Chinook’s Edge School Division students participated on Wednesday, Sept. 28 in a cross-country divisional meet hosted at Sundre High School, which basically has for a backyard the myriad of ideal trails offered by Snake Hill.
Top performers in the school division’s event qualified to compete on Wednesday, Oct. 5 in Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association’s South Central Zones in Trochu.
Among them are Sundre High School Grade 12 student and veteran cross-country and track athlete Tate Shand, who made provincials last year.
"My run went well, though it was a little hot outside for my liking," he told the Albertan, adding he crossed the finish line with a time of 26 minutes.
Although that was not a personal best – Shand said it was about a minute slower than the time he had clocked in training – it was nevertheless sufficient to earn him a first-place finish.
Shand said he intended to compete in Trochu, adding, "I hope the weather is a little cooler.”
From there, students in Grades 10 to 12 have a chance to qualify for provincials, which are coming up on Saturday, Oct. 15 in Spruce Grove.
"I'll definitely take another shot at provincials if I can get it," Shand said.