King wins a gold medal in para

Westwind Weekly Newspapers Photo Submitted

By Heather Cameron
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On October 31, Raymond High School in Raymond held an assembly honouring Grade 10 student local Robbie King for winning a gold medal in the Para – Male Ambulatory category at the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association Provincials Cross Country Championship.

“Everyone was very happy for me,” said King. “My coach told the school a story about my cross-country journey, and then I got to unravel my own provincial banner, with my team by my side. I was so grateful for the opportunity, the medal, my team, and my coaches. I felt great joy. This was truly an amazing blessing.”

King says this blessing came to be after first receiving an invitation to join the local cross-country team. 

“I was upset because of all the struggles I had in my life,” said King. “I prayed for a spark, or a big change to make me better, and feel happy. The next day, I received an invitation to the cross-country team. At first, I tried cross country only because the team wanted me. But I began to like the sport. I loved the pace you could find for yourself while you practiced, I loved my team’s support, and I loved our optimism.”

After only a couple of weeks of practice, King accompanied his team to the South Zone Championship in Medicine Hat, where he ultimately finished in third place in his race. That third-place finish, King says, qualified him to be part of the ASAA Cross-Country Provincial Championships in Grande Prairie, as he needed to place in the top six to qualify. 

“With 20 of my other teammates and three coaches, we made the 12-hour trip up to Grande Prairie, and under cold and rainy conditions, I ran my best time by 46 seconds, and took home the provincial gold,” said King. “I am the cross-country provincial para-athlete champion! My team placed third in provincials. I felt great, I felt ready, nervous, excited, and I realized I was born to run.”

Winning the medal, King says, has motivated him to continue in the cross-country sport throughout the rest of high school.

“I am seeking to be the provincial champion in grade 11, and 12,” said King. “That would make me a three-time consecutive cross country provincial champion. No one in Raymond High School history has won three straight individual provincial banners. I am looking to be the first.”

Although King is nervous and knows he is going to have trials and obstacles in his life, he puts his faith in God. 

“I have a disability, but I’m not fragile,” said King. “God will help me every step of the way on my journey. My life experiences have made me realize that a disability can’t take away good things. No matter what struggles, trials, or obstacles I have, I can fight through all of them and get what I seek.”

In addition to his faith, King is aware that his family, extended family, and school are also all very proud of him.

“I owe my medal and banner to my team and coaches. They believed in me, more than I believed in myself. They supported me so much, and never gave up on me. They gave me confidence. I told them that I owed them everything I won, but they told me I earned the stuff by myself. I am so grateful for them. The experience was outstanding. The trip was amazing. Our mentality was perfect, and our coaches were always optimistic. I loved the new friendships I developed. I am so grateful for everything I learned, experienced, and gained on the cross-country team. I’ll never forget it. Special thanks to coaches Brian Haas, Randy Smith, and Kimber Snow. I’d also like to give special thanks to Jessica, Aubrey, Ariana, Makenna, Austin, Dexter, McKay, Bergen, Blaise, Halle, Sarah, Margaret, Charlotte, Shan, Ivory, Bentley, Evan, Wilson, Koehn, Spencer, Kayden, Charles, Nathen, Lilly, Nixon, Nolan, Marshall, Orrin, Kolt, Ari, and Jack. Thank you for everything, guys. I love all of you and will never forget you. This was a great start for my first time on a sports team. That’s right, first team. I am not done. I will be back in May, hungry for more running, and more provincial gold medals! Believe in yourself. You can accomplish anything you want to do. Nobody can tell you different. Have faith that you can do it. It will take work, but it will pay off.”