For Leah Pells, competing at the B.C. high school track and field provincial championships was an eye-opening experience.

Competing for Langley Secondary at the 1980 and 1981 championships, Pells didn91裸聊视频檛 find the podium, nor did she run particularly well.

91裸聊视频淚 remember I didn91裸聊视频檛 run well either year, so I was disappointed,91裸聊视频� she recalled.

91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 think I placed higher than eighth. But it was a great event.91裸聊视频�

Of course, her lack of podium finishes didn91裸聊视频檛 hamper as a middle distance runner and at one point was ranked No. 1 in the world.

91裸聊视频淚 always tell kids that if you don91裸聊视频檛 do well there, there is still lots of time,91裸聊视频� she said.

91裸聊视频淲hatever happens there, you can build on it and propel yourself forward.

91裸聊视频淚 always remind kids that this is just one experience of many that you are going to have.91裸聊视频�

Starting Thursday (June 1), 2,500 athletes will go for gold as McLeod Athletic Park hosts the 2017 B.C. high school track and field championships.

The meet runs until Saturday.

And to celebrate the meet91裸聊视频檚 50th year, former Canadian Olympic athletes, national team members and provincial high school champions, will be on hand throughout the meet to present medals in the various events.

The list of presenters is still being finalized, but will include shot putter Dylan Armstrong, who won bronze at the 2008 Games.

Andrew Lenton serves as the track and field commissioner for BC School Sports, and he says while the event itself has gotten bigger 91裸聊视频� more athletes competing and the ability to live stream events thanks to advances in technology, to name a couple 91裸聊视频� the meet remains a marquee event.

91裸聊视频淲hen I competed in high school, this was one event that was on the national landscape,91裸聊视频� he said.

Lenton won bronze in the 1500m in 1984 as a Grade 10 student.

91裸聊视频淭his is where you want to be at your best and I don91裸聊视频檛 think that has changed (over time).91裸聊视频�

For more on the championships, visit www.langleytimes.com.