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Ben Rossouw sets the bar high… literally

Cowichan athlete wins national and provincial medals
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Ben Rossouw won silver medals in high jump at both the BC Summer Games and Legion Nationals this summer. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Ben Rossouw soared to new heights this summer.

A member of the CVAC Jaguars track and field club, Rossouw set a new personal best of 1.81m in high jump and came home with the silver medal from the 2018 National Legion Track and Field Championships in Brandon, Manitoba.

Surpassing the 2018 BC Summer Games as the biggest event Rossouw had ever entered, the Legions were a great experience for the 15-year-old.

“It was fantastic to compete in such a competitive environment,” Rossouw said.

Rossouw was one of 11 athletes in the boys high jump at Legions, and one of two from B.C., along with Nolan McEachern of Maple Ridge, who was also his roommate in Brandon. McEachern ended up edging Rossouw for gold as B.C. took the top two spots in the event.

The story was similar at the BC Summer Games in July, where Rossouw also took second in high jump behind his provincial rival. Rossouw also finished third in triple jump and 10th in javelin.

Jumping at a big event in front of a home crowd was a special moment for Rossouw.

“It was different in how everyone is rooting for you,” he said. “It felt comfortable to compete here.”

Although he also competes in sprints, middle distance, discus and long jump during the track and field season, high jump is definitely Rossouw’s favourite event.

“I really like high jump,” he said. “It’s not like other events where you run and then it’s over. In high jump, it takes like an hour; you can sit and relax and talk with other amazing people from across Canada. It’s really welcoming.”

Rossouw plans to continue competing in high jump as long as he can, with the goal of earning an athletics scholarship that will help him get to medical school. He is currently in Grade 11 at Brentwood College School, which has also helped him advance his track and field career.

Rossouw is grateful to his coaches, both at Brentwood and with the CVAC Jaguars.

“They are completely responsible for my success,” he said. “I want to thank them.”