It's been a special year for track and field star Lenaya Roberts, who was part of Team Manitoba that recently participated in a big event in Edmonton.
"It was just really incredible to see all the athletes from around Manitoba join together, and support each other," Roberts says about the most recent event. "We pushed each other to do our best in any event, whether it was throws, jumps, or race. When I looked around Manitoba, I just saw so many athletes cheering for each other, and I was really proud to be Manitoban in Edmonton. The environment was really good, and Athletics Manitoba did a great job of making sure we had a good experience."
It was an eye opening experience for Roberts not just athletically, but also all that was around the event when it comes to daily life of a track athlete. "We stayed at a dorm, and I stayed with someone that I didn't know. I got to meet her, and learn about her athletic career. Seeing university students that were there, and to this day, they still enjoy track. I talked to students from U of M, and they were saying how travelling with your team and continuing your sport, the mental growth you have from the sport of track is truly incredible."
In Edmonton, the talent level was very high and that competition is something Roberts believe will help her in the long term. "I went in ranking 4th, and I wasn't used to seeing this level of competition, it really drove me to become a better athlete. There were girls chucking crazy distances, and that pushed me to perform better, because I know that I'm capable of it."
Working hard at both javelin and discus, Roberts says the growth she's experienced as an athlete has been noticeable. "I think this year was really a jump from my freshman year. Mr. (Al) Wirth really helped me with that, and he's talked to me about going places for track and field, potentially the national team, and stuff. He's really someone I look up to when it comes to track, based on his history. I mean, I've watched my brother and all that he accomplished in track, too, and it's something I look up to and hope to succeed in as well."
Roberts was one of five student athletes from the Pembina Valley area that went to Edmonton, and the 16-year-old star says they all got closer thanks to the trip. "I knew three of them pretty well, but as of the start of training, I actually made a couple friendships that I will keep for the rest of high school. We hung out a lot around the track, and they were so supportive. Those were really great friendships that came out of the trip."
Representing her community meant the world to Roberts. "It was just so incredible to be around such great athletes, and when I was competing, I wasn't just doing it for myself, I took pride in doing it for the province. I didn't get the results that were perfect in my head, but I felt very proud to be Manitoban. I think every athlete from Manitoba put their full best in, and we got some really good results, which was good."
As for her future, Roberts is weighting a few different options, taking everything in stride. "I have a lot to think about, and a lot of training to do. Based off this experience, it was very eye opening. I have a lot of decisions to make, but it's something on my radar. My goal is to just do the best in this sport, represent Manitoba and my community. I want to inspire other young athletes, as well."
Inspiration is just one word to describe Lenaya Roberts, and the track and field future athletes will benefit from having a role model like her to look up to.