A Prince George Olympian is looking to repeat as champion for a third consecutive time at one of Canada’s most prestigious track and field events.
Alyx Treasure’s third meet of 2019 will be at the Harry Jerome Classic in Vancouver and she’s defending her high-jump gold medal from the last two years at the annual international competition.
The 27-year-old is setting the bar in going for the three-peat championship after leaping to the top of the podium in 2017 and 2018 in her home province.
She’ll have the advantage in terms of experience as the only Olympian among nine other competitors, five from Canada and four from the United States.
In 2018, Treasure found gold at a height of 1.81 metres.
The Canadian National Team member’s personal best was set at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at 1.94 metres during a qualifying round before finishing 17th in the finals.
That number is also the highest compared to the other jumpers going into Vancouver this week.
American Amina Smith is not too far off the pace at a career-high 1.91 metres.
Treasure has two other track meets on her 2019 resume thus far, both in the United States.
The D.P. Todd Secondary graduate’s best finish was a silver medal at the Ward Haylett Invitational, on the grounds of her alma mater Kansas State University, soaring over the bar at 1.71 metres.
The Harry Jerome International Track Classic is a one-day event scheduled for tomorrow (June 20) at Swangard Stadium.
Another perk for the winner of women’s high jump is a cool $2,000.
The event is also acting as a tune-up for athletes with eyes on the 2019 World Championships in Qatar and Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.
