Danny Daniels — Contributor
Although they are separated by 60 years in age, young Ben Sammons and Masters competitor Les East have one thing in common — exceptional performances in the sport of track and field.
At the season-ending barbecue and picnic for the Peninsula Track and Field Club, Sammons, 13, and East, 74, were named as joint winners of the Inspirational Athlete Trophy for 2013.
Their names will go on the trophy to join with those from previous years, including Olympic bronze medalist Angela Chalmers, sprint champion Tom Michell and decathlete Greg Dingle.
Sammons set a career high of 38 personal best performances in both hurdles and flat races on the track, as well as in many jumping and throwing events.
East was a gold medalist in both throwing and jumping events at the BC and Canadian Masters Championships and at the B.C. Seniors Games.
Sarah Gibson, Julia Irwin and Meagan Peterson shared the Fiona Clarke (girls) award, given for performance excellence and sportsmanship, while the boys award went to Finn Battersby.
Oliver Adam, Matteo Hilton and David Johnson will have their names engraved on the Eleanor Richardson Memorial Trophy for participation, cooperation and dedication.
In the specific event categories, Conor Loughnane and Connor McCoullogh received the Runner of the Year trophies, and Julia Peterson was named Jumper of the Year.
Another Masters athlete, Carl Jensen, was given the Thrower of the Year trophy for his prowess in the Island series meets and at the Victoria Highland Games.
At opposite ends of the sport, first-timers Blake Furtado, Alyssa Jensen and Olivia Lucas were acknowledged at Outstanding Novice Athletes, while the Outstanding Masters Athlete trophy went to Anne Murfitt in recognition of her six gold medals from the Canadian Masters Championships.