Inuvik has some fantastic athletic ability among its youth, but not all of those genetically gifted students will be attending the Track and Field Championships in Hay River this June.

SA国际影视传媒�ISA国际影视传媒檝e got kids out there high-kicking now,SA国际影视传媒� maligned East Three Secondary School coach Kenzie MacDonald, looking through the window to the schoolSA国际影视传媒檚 main lobby, outside of the gym where track and field hopefuls were practising.

SA国际影视传媒�They should be in here doing high jump, but canSA国际影视传媒檛 convince them.SA国际影视传媒�

The one-foot high kick translates particularly well to the long jump in track and field, he said.

SA国际影视传媒�There are a lot of athletic students in this school and they just donSA国际影视传媒檛 come out for one reason or another,SA国际影视传媒� said MacDonald.

Still, about 16 students are trying out for the team, with MacDonald expecting 14-15 to compete in Hay River.

SA国际影视传媒�At this point, itSA国际影视传媒檚 based off of their grades and their attendance in practice,SA国际影视传媒� said MacDonald. SA国际影视传媒淲e have some fundraisers that will also contribute to whether they go or not, if they show up, how hard theySA国际影视传媒檙e working, that sort of thing.SA国际影视传媒�

Athletes get to pick four events to take part in, split between running and field categories. Events include multiple distances of running, shot put, long jump and more.

MacDonald said he generally lets athlete pick their own events, within reason.

SA国际影视传媒�They have a lot of freedom to a point, because I want them to succeed,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 want a sprinter running a 5k and getting blown out, or likewise a distance runner running a sprint and getting blown out.SA国际影视传媒�

Inuvik has always had good distance runners, he said.

SA国际影视传媒�Depending on the year, weSA国际影视传媒檝e also had a lot of really talented high jumpers,SA国际影视传媒� said MacDonald. SA国际影视传媒淚 find high jump is similar to the one-foot high kid, which a lot of our students do in their spare time.SA国际影视传媒�

More than 1,000 student athletes take part in the annual Hay River event, most coming from the big Yellowknife schools.

MacDonald said he doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 put pressure on his athletes, except to tell them to do their best.

SA国际影视传媒�If youSA国际影视传媒檝e done your best, I will be happy with that,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 care if you came first or you came last. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e down there to learn, weSA国际影视传媒檙e down there to have fun.SA国际影视传媒�

That said, some students will have added pressure this year, as the event will also be used to judge their suitability for Canada Games and North American Indigenous Games.

SA国际影视传媒�There is a little pressure if they want to make these higher-performance teams,SA国际影视传媒� said MacDonald.

The students will be fundraising and training up until the June 7-9 event in Hay River.