A young woman from Steinbach is developing into a provincial track and field star. Reese Tufford has qualified in several events to represent Manitoba at the 2019 Legion National Track and Field Championships this summer in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She will take part in the U16 girls 800 metre and 1,200 hundred metre runs as well as the 1,500 metre steeplechase. She also hopes to qualify for the 2,000 metre run.

Tufford says she developed a love of track and field in grade five and has pursued it ever since.

"In Grade 5 cross country, I wasn't sure how I was going to do, but then I ended up with first place. Then I went to a track meet a few months later and I did really well there. So I figured out that I just really like track."

Tufford acknowledges it is a big challenge to race the distances she competes in.

"The whole time your legs are burning, but you just have to push through it and believe you can do it. It's a lot of training and a lot of hard work."

What motivates her to do to this? Tufford cites her inner determination.

"I keep wanting to get better and just better myself in track."

While many 14-year-olds will be relaxing during summer holidays, Tufford will be practicing hard to get ready for nationals August 9th to 11th.

In addition to qualifying for nationals, Tufford this year has won a gold medal at the Junior High Provincials in the Grade 9 girls 1,200 metre race. She also placed third in the 1,500 metres at High School Provincials along with a 4th in the 800 metres and a fifth in the relay.

 

Personal Bests   Training: Winnipeg Optimist Athletics

400m - 1:04.76

800m - 2:27.44

1200m - 3:51.97

1500m - 5:06.08

1500m Steeple – 5:14.98