Left to right Skye Russell (Strathcona Edm), Mirelle Martens, and Nicole Kitt – Senior Womens 3000 podium at the 2014 ASAA Provincial Track and Field Championship

Grade 12 St Joe’s student Mirelle Martens defended her provincial title in the Senior Women’s 3000m at the ASAA Provincial High School Track and Field Championship in Calgary on Friday.

Martens and St Paul’s Nicole Kitt set a blistering early pace separating themselves from the 16 women field.  With 400m to go, Grande Prairie athlete made a bold move, and Kitt was unable to respond.  Martens stopped the clock in a personal best time of 10:32 for a 17 second victory.

2014 NW Zone Women’s 4 x 400m team

On Saturday, Martens and Kitt faced off again in the Senior Women’s 1500m and employed similar front-running tactics.  This time Calgary’s Alyssa Teed hung on to the leading duo for 1200m before accelerating to the front.  Martens gave chase but fell off in the final 100m.  Teed broke the tape in 4:47 for a 2 second victory over Martens.  Kitt placed third.

Marten’s gold and silver were the only two podium performances by local athletes, but two other young women had top 8 placings:  The Comp’s Kelsey Bishop (6th Junior Women’s 100m) and Eaglesham’s Brittany Duvall (7th Junior Women’s 1500 and 7th Junior Women’s 3000m).  The NW Zone 4 x 400m Women’s Relay team consisting of Martens, Bishop, Duvall, and Beaverlodge’s Kailey Bratland also placed 7th.

Peace River’s Glenmary High was the top NW Zone school in the team standings, placing third among 2A schools.

Full results are posted on the ASAA Championship website.