The Fraser River team of (left to right) Ryan Pederson, Ryan Denman, Jaden Severy and Keaton Lees celebrate their win in the boys 4X100 metres relay. — Image Credit: Pamela Yee
A strong start led to smooth sailing for the Fraser River boys team in the 4 X 100 metres final race at Rotary Stadium on Saturday.
White Rock's Keaton Lees set the pace, and his teammates Jaden Severy from Coquitlam, Ryan Deman from White Rock and Ryan Pederson for Surrey added to the lead for the team.
They beat out second place Fraser Valley, made up of Tyler Parsons, Bob Nicol, Elliot Payne and Ian Vandergugten by 1.38 seconds. Fraser River blazed through the course in 46.49 seconds.
"I felt I had a really good start," said Lees, who opened the race for Fraser River. "I felt really pumped coming out of the blocks and that we had a good chance to win it."
He handed the baton off to Severy and watched with glee as his teammates added to the lead he started.
"I was kind of cheering and hoping that no one was going to pass us," he said. "And in the last 50 metres I saw that Ryan Pederson had the lead by a good gap and I was just really pumped for us to win."
It's the first time the foursome have ever teamed together, and despite some concerns about their handoffs Lees said it's a great showing for the team. The gold medal caps off an excellent weekend on the track for Lees, who also earned a bronze in the triple jump and placed fourth in the 100 metres dash.
The Vancouver Island-Central Coast team consisting of Shane Stewart, Jacob Hill, Anthony Else and Ben Toth earned bronze with a time of 47.93 seconds.