by Eric Welsh
With Dolly Gabri in the field, the other competitors in women’s discus knew they were competing for silver.
Gabri, the Surrey native who set a shot-put record in the morning, did the same in this event, writing her name in the BC Summer Games annals with a mark of 44.36 metres.
That was more than 11 better than runner up Mateya Haintz from Pitt Meadows, who was happy coming in at 33.12m.
“We all know there’s no chance of getting first,” she laughed. “It’s been like that for a few years so it’s not surprising and we’ve all come to accept it.”
Haintz had her hands full holding off bronze medalist Libby Elliott, whose best throw was 31.12m.
Haintz admitted she was nervous coming into the event, and her heart was pounding before her first throw. She launched the disc out of bounds, which was bad. But she felt the butterflies fly away, which was good.
Her next throw was 32.13m and she was on her way.
Lake Country native Phoebe Price-Roberts was fourth at 30.16m and Victoria’s Gwyneth Frederickson was fifth at 29.30m.
Representing Zone 2 and Lake Country, Phoebe Price-Roberts finished fourth in women's discus with a long toss of 30.16 metres.