A self-motivated cross country runner is aiming for the provincial championships this Friday at Vancouver.
Weston Toppozini, 17, is in his final year at Aldergrove Secondary school, and as it turns out he is the only cross country runner remaining in the school's track and field program.
"Ms. Durant is my track coach at the school but I have been mostly training on my own time," said Toppozini.
He had been training with the Langley Mustangs track and field club but the costs were too high so he "had to quit" and go on his own program.
He has done quite well, however, as he finished in the top 40 out of a field of 200 senior high school boys at the qualifying event held last Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Crescent Park.
"It was very slippery in the mud and some of the guys who have beat me before didn't even finish the race this time. I came 39th, so I am qualified for the final race," said Toppozini.
The B.C. high school 5-kilometre championship is set for Friday, Nov. 6 at Jericho Beach.
When he returns from this event Toppozini is hoping the school will have a senior boys' basketball team this season for him to join.
He will also be competing in school track events, in which he enjoys the steeplechase and long jump.