Manitobans compete with the elite – Winnipeg Free Press

“It was so electric,” Neves, 17, recalled Tuesday. “There were a lot of people there, it's a big indoor stadium (with) athletes from all over the world – North America, Australia. A lot of people…really loud, it was great. Good atmosphere.”

Neves has run the 400 meters before, but never in a race of the caliber of athletes he will face this week. Although switching distances is difficult, Neves is determined to expand his horizons as a runner.

“It's going to be a little bit different, so we'll see how I do. I mean, I have hope, but at the same time, I don't know exactly where I'm going to end up. I know last year's results and I know it's definitely going to be tough, but it's going to be fun and it's going to be different for me,” he said.

Neves says he hasn't ruled out other disciplines, and will specialize in the 600m and 800m when he runs for the University of Manitoba Bisons in the fall.

“The point of this week is to represent Manitoba and I will never take that opportunity for granted. I love representing Manitoba,” said Neves, who traveled south of the border for several meets and represented Canada at the Commonwealth Youth Games last summer. “Also, there's a personal aspect where I want to prove that I can do another event and do well in it and do well in multiple events like the 400 — do something outside of my comfort zone.”

De Smet, a 10th grader at Vincent Massey College, finds herself out of her comfort zone when she goes on her first date south of the border. The 15-year-old will run the 1,600m, which is slightly longer than her usual 1,500m race.

“It probably goes without saying, but I was really nervous,” De Smet said. “But I think it's going to be a fun experience and I'm definitely going to have a good time there.”

It's been a great two weeks for De Smet. Shortly after finding out she had been selected for the Simplot Games, she set the U18 provincial record of 2:53.14 in the one kilometer race at the Bison Open on the first weekend of February.

According to De Smet, this week he will meet other top athletes in his discipline and prove that he belongs.

“I'm really excited,” she said. “Being selected and knowing there were four people, that made it a lot more fun.”

In fact, Idaho State had more than 30 requests to represent the province, which local track coach Derek Ozunko will recall after a while. To be selected as the best among one's peers, – said Ozunko, – is a feather in the cap of every athlete.

“I think going to a meet like this really boosts their career because they know it's one of the best high school meets in the United States. I think something like this motivates them to continue to excel for their future events,” said Ozunko, a coach with Winnipeg Optimist Athletics who will accompany the athletes on the trip.

Falade is in Grade 12 at St. Boniface Diocesan High School, while Burak is also in his senior year at Arborg College.

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Joshua Frey-Sam
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Joshua Frey-Sam will happily welcome a heated sports debate any day of the week.

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