Vanier’s Zidane Closs kicked off his four-event provincial quest with an impressive performance in the midget boys high jump, outduelling Nipawin’s Tomi Akinwuntan to claim gold at the SHSAA championships Friday morning.
Closs, 15, cleared 1.78 metres and came within a hair’s breadth of clearing 1.81 metres on his second attempt but settled for a tie with Akinwuntan in the discipline. Closs had fewer misses through the competition, though, and ended up claiming the gold.
“I got a new p.b, that was good, and I just about had the second (jump), so it was pretty close,” Closs said.
Closs had never attempted 1.81 metres, making his close-as-close-can-be attempt all the more impressive.
“It’s pretty tough (to miss), but I was hoping for gold, so it’s good,” he said.
Closs has a busy meet ahead of him, as he competes in the 400 metres and long jump later Friday to go along with the 200 metres Saturday.
