A rising track and field star from Steinbach will be competing for Team Eastman at the Power Smart Manitoba Summer Games next week in Steinbach. 11 year-old Reese Tufford has been competing at track meets since early this year. She explains how she got started in track.

"When I was in Grade 5 (last year), there was a cross-country run and I ended up doing pretty good in that. So, in March, I went to the Boeing Classic and I medalled and so I decided to join the Winnipeg Optimist Athletics Club and I've been in track meets ever since."

Tufford says the coaches have really helped her to develop her technique and taught her how to build her up strength. She attends practices twice a week in Winnipeg but has added some more sessions to get ready for the games.

"I've been doing more training at home by running more and doing more workouts to be prepared for it."

Tufford adds her goal for the Summer Games is to get into the medals and to win the cross-country run.