Hernandez wins gold at junior track and field

Last weekend Aaron Hernandez, from Coaldale, jumped 15.45 metres in the triple-jump competition and won a gold medal at the Canadian Outdoor Junior Track and Field National Championships in Saint-Therese, Quebec. “I did really well, I guess. This was my second time being at junior nationals. Last year didn’t go so well. I got a bronze medal but it wasn’t a good performance. I was determined to have a good performance this year and I PB’d (personal best) and won a gold medal. Everything went as planned,” said Hernandez.

According to the 18-year-old award-winning athlete — other times during the event included 15.35 metres, which Hernandez said could have been a PB, as well. His first jump was 14.81 metres.

“With that 15.45 metres I was 15 centimetres off of world juniors standards, so I just missed world juniors,” noted Hernandez.

Hernandez was off to Edmonton for nationals this past weekend. Results were not available for this week’s issue of the Sunny South News.

“I’ll maybe take August off and then get back to university track in the fall,” added Hernandez, who will be attending the University of Lethbridge.

Another athlete from Medicine Hat, a first-year junior, also took part in the championships in Quebec. She ended up winning a bronze medal, said Hernandez, who has been under the tutelage of Jaime Thomas and Larry Steinke of the Lethbridge Pronghorns track team.

Hernandez said July 6 was probably one of the greatest days of his life so far.

“I’m definitely going to continue. Hopefully, see myself at Olympics one day,” he added.

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