Sprinter racing for gold

Adam Sieben, 16, a member of the Prince George Track & Field Club, came back from the BC High School Championships June 6 with a gold medal in the 400m metre race.

From his first 400m race in May at the local club’s Sub Zero meet at Masich Place to the high school championships in Langley he shaved more than two seconds off his time of 50.50 seconds. Then less than a month later he ran at the BC Championship Jamboree and took first place with his personal best time of 50.34. Sieben is currently ranked second in the province in his age group in the 400m this season.

“Adam is very dedicated to his sport,” Lauren Matheson, Prince George Track & Field Club head coach, said. “When I talk with him, he’s already got his goals in place and he’s ready to meet those goals.”

Matheson has known Sieben since he first started with the club.

“Over the years I have seen him develop as an athlete and I’m really excited to be here for him as a coach during this long-time journey,” Matheson said.

Sieben also runs the 100m at 11.32 seconds and 200m at 22.80 seconds but the 400m is his specialty. He’s got big plans for his future for the grueling sprint to take him further than just once around the track.

“I put a lot of expectation on myself,” Sieben said. “And I’ve been training a lot.”

This is a transitional year for the young athlete whose first goal is to make Team BC so he can compete at the national level. He’s eligible this year and next so he’s got another season to make that happen.

Ultimately he’s looking to get a scholarship to a Division 1 stateside college and go from there.