Aaron Postma is bringing his talents to Langley.
The Grade 12 Abbotsford Christian Secondary student announced his intentions to sign with Trinity Western University at a press conference on Tuesday at the school.
Postma will join the TWU Spartans track and field team to compete in the long jump and triple jump.
“I chose Trinity Western because I first had a great relationship with (Spartans assistant coach) Kim Chapdelaine and then I went to a TWU track camp and it was just awesome,” said Postma, who plans to take general studies in his first year. “I’ve heard it is a great Christian atmosphere to be a part of and, from what I’ve seen, you’re going to improve at TWU. You’re going to get stronger and bigger and at the same time, the athletes there are really helpful and very encouraging.”
The 5-foot-11 Postma has a personal best of 6.28 metres in long jump, which he posted in the 2015 provincial championships to finish fourth, and a personal record of 13.49 m in triple jump.
Postma is a three-time provincial championship medalist as he captured a gold medal in long jump in 2014, when he was in Grade 10, with a mark of 6.18 m and a silver medal in triple jump with a mark of 12.69 m, and then finished first in triple jump in 2015, in his Grade 11 year, with his personal best mark of 13.49 m.
He also a starred in basketball and volleyball at ACS and was named his school’s Junior Male Athlete of the Year after his Grade 10 year and the Senior Male Athlete of the Year following his Grade 11 year.
“This is a kid who is an athlete,” said Spartans coach Rob Pike. “It’s very rare in North America when we get an athlete like this because typically they’ll end up playing a team sport like basketball or volleyball or football. So, it’s really exciting that Aaron has chosen track and to be honest, his potential is almost limitless. Aaron is a quiet, humble, focused and disciplined kid and I think he’ll really fit into our team well.”
Abbotsford Christian track and field coach Jack Boersma said: “It’s been great to see a guy like Aaron, who started track and field in Grade 9, find his events and then do so well. To see him sign today is a wonderful thing. I love Trinity Western. I think it’s a wonderful institution for young athletes. I think he will be blessed by what he’ll experience at Trinity Western and I think the school will be blessed by Aaron.”
The Spartans compete in the Canada West conference for track and field, and their season runs from January to March.