Cowichan Jaguars duo cracks Zone 6 track and field team for BC Games

Both athletes had to place in the top two in their events

Cowichan Jaguars duo cracks Zone 6 track and field team for BC Games Published 5:00 pm Friday, July 17, 2026 The hard work of two Cowichan Valley Athletic Club Jaguar athletes has paid off. Alica Valastiak and Sydnee Erickson, both 14, have been named to the Zone 6 (Vancouver Island-Central Coast) track and field team for the upcoming BC Summer Games in Kelowna, July 22-26.

Both athletes had to place in the top two in their events to make the Zone 6 team, which was no easy task. “The honour is especially meaningful because only two athletes were selected from their club — and those two athletes also happen to be best friends,” said Valastiak’s dad and the pair’s coach, Vlad Valastiak. “Their selection is a proud moment for the club and a reflection of the countless practices, tough workouts, and quiet moments of determination that helped carry them to this stage.”

Valastiak will compete in the 1500m race walk and the 1500m steeplechase. Her personal best is 8:20.46 in the race walk and 6:01.19 in the steeplechase, which exceed the standard entry requirements for the Legions National Track and Field competition in Regina, where she will also compete in the race walk, Aug. 7 to 9, as a member of Team B.C. Erickson will tackle the pentathlon (80m hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and 800m). Her personal bests include 13.89 in the 80m hurdles, a high jump of 1.47m, a shot put of 9.43m, a long jump of 4.32m and an 800m time of 2:52.86.

“Their journey is a reminder that hard work and perseverance can open doors to unforgettable opportunities,” said coach Valastiak. “Now, as best friends and teammates, Alica and Sydnee will share a once-in-a-lifetime experience together, carrying the support and pride of CVAC with them to one of the province’s biggest youth sport stages.” In other track and field news, CVAC will be hosting the B.C. Junior Development Championships, a provincial championship meet held the weekend of July 18 and 19.

More than 500 athletes aged nine to 13 will compete over the two-day event. “This was an island wide effort to bring the championships over from the mainland where it has been traditionally held,” said Valastiak.