The Interlake has quietly become a hotbed for throwing events in track and field.
Over the years, the region has flown under the radar despite producing a steady stream of javelin, shot put, discus and hammer throw athletes who have gone on to compete at the national level.
This year, local athletes will attend the 2025 Western Canada Team Challenge as one of the largest contingents of throwers to ever come out of the Interlake.
Not only will they be competing, but they’ll also be putting the region on the throwing map when they hit the field at Foote Field in Edmonton, Alta., from July 18 to 20.
“It’s the opportunity of the program. We get access to kids that you wouldn’t get in the city,” said Justin Charrier, throws coach with Beausejour’s Predator Athletics Club and for unattached athletes training through a satellite program based near Winnipeg Beach.
That satellite program received a major boost from the late Bruce Pirnie—a two-time Olympian in shot put, Team Canada coach, and former University of Manitoba coach.
Pirnie moved to Arnes late in his retirement with the goal of developing a high-level throwing program in the Interlake. He saw the potential in the area’s young athletes, many of whom needed structured training to reach the next level.
For several years, the program was run from Pirnie’s own backyard. After his passing, it was relocated to Winnipeg Beach for better accessibility. Much of the equipment used today was gifted by Pirnie, whose legacy continues to shape the program.
“We have really good athletes who come out to throw, and all of those athletes could’ve been scooped up by many other sports before they were ever introduced to track and field,” said Charrier. “That’s our strength—we’ve had success, and the kids are good athletes. I don’t think many places view track and field as a real opportunity or understand the doors it can open.”
Some of those doors include national and multi-sport competitions. Arnes’ Jencie Henry and Riverton’s Hudson Charrier have both qualified for the 2025 Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships, scheduled for Aug. 8 to 10 in Calgary, Alta.
Henry will also represent Manitoba at the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, N.L., taking place from Aug. 8 to 25.
Local athletes heading to the 2025 Western Canada Team Challenge:
U16 Division:
Mackenzie Zahariuk – Winnipeg Beach – Shot put, discus, javelin (Predator Athletics Club)
Jerika Samborski – Gimli – Shot put, discus, hammer throw (Predator Athletics Club)
Peyton Zubriski – Arborg – Shot put, discus, hammer throw (Predator Athletics Club)
U18 Division:
Jencie Henry (competing in U23) – Arnes – Shot put, discus, hammer throw (Predator Athletics Club)
Hudson Charrier – Riverton – Shot put, discus, hammer throw (Unattached)
Ernest Agpalo – Arborg – Javelin, shot put, discus (Unattached)
Jayden Hibbert – Arborg – Discus, shot put (Unattached)
Kris Asmundsson – Riverton – Shot put, discus, hammer throw (Unattached)
