The 28th annual Victoria International Track Classic comes to Centennial Stadium this Sunday, June 19. With the Rio Olympics on the horizon, the University of Victoria Vikes will welcome a host of elite international talent to the Island. Organized by the Victoria International Running Society, the Track Classic has hosted many Olympic, Paralympic, and future international stars through its history. This year, headliners include reigning world high jump champion Derek Drouin, four-time Olympic medalist Jeremy Wariner and Canadian middle-distance superstar Melissa Bishop.
Looking ahead, the UVic Vikes have released the schedule for the Women’s field hockey season, and it starts with a bang.
Defending CIS national champion UBC Thunderbirds, who captured the program’s fifth consecutive CIS title last season, host the reigning Canada West champion Victoria Vikes Sept. 17 and 18.
In local cricket action, the Oak Bay team plays United this Sunday, June 19 at noon at Beacon Hill Park. Windsor Park also plays host to two midweek cricket games. On Tuesday, June 21, Fulham plays Metchosin at 6 p.m., then on Wednesday, June 22 Spinnakers plays MCC at 6 p.m.
Oak Bay’s Premier Victoria Mariners start their week with a roadtrip doubleheader to face the Coquitlam Reds Saturday, June 18, before returning to Victoria Sunday, when the Ms host the White Rock Tritons in a doubleheader at Layritz Park. Games start at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The senior squad is next in action Saturday, June 25, when they once again head to Layritz to host the North Shore Twins. Games are at 1 and 3:30 p.m.
The Premier Victoria Eagles return to the diamond with another action-filled week in PBL baseball.
Play opens Saturday, June 18, when the Eagles host the White Rock Tritons in a doubleheader at Lambrick Park. Games open at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
The squad hits the road Sunday, June 19, taking on the Whalley Chiefs.
The Eagles finish the week with a midweek game on Wednesday, June 22, heading over the Malahat for a single game against the Nanaimo Pirates. Join the local boys for a 6:30 p.m. start.
The Junior Premier Mariners have an eventful week, starting play Saturday, June 18 when they host the talented Langley Blaze for two games, 1 and 3:30 p.m. at Layritz Park, before crossing town to face local rivals the Victoria Eagles on Sunday, June 19. First pitches are at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Lambrick Park.
The Junior Ms face the Eagles once again on Tuesday, June 21, but this time it’s on home turf, playing at Henderson Park at 6 p.m.
While the Bantam Red Eagles are playing in Port Angeles, WA this weekend, the Bantam Black Eagles keep it to B.C. The team heads to Burnaby Saturday, June 18 before facing Vancouver Minor for a Sunday doubleheader.
Still with baseball, the Victoria Harbourcats continue their season tonight (Friday, June 17) when they start their three- game series against the Cowlitz Black Bears.
Games go at 6:35 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday, all at Royal Athletic Park.
Later in the week, on Wednesday, June 22, the Harbourcats host the Victoria Selects at 6:35 p.m. at Royal Athletic Park.
In local lacrosse action, the Victoria Shamrocks, hoping to extend their winning streak to three games, play the Burnaby Lakers on the road on Tuesday, June 21.
The ‘Rocks finish their week Friday, June 24 when they host the New Westminster Salmonbellies at the Q Centre, with play opening at 7:45 p.m.
In Junior Shamrocks’ action, Saturday, June 18 takes the team on the road, going head to head against the Langley Thunder.
The team returns to local play Sunday, June 19, hosting the Delta Islanders at the Q Centre at 5 p.m.
Colin Gall is a local athlete and Grade 11 student at Mt. Douglas Secondary. Send your coming sports news to jocktalk@telus.net.