Young track and field athletes celebrate graduation at Valka sports school
The Valka Children's and Youth Sports School held a graduation ceremony for its MT-7 track and field group, with students receiving diplomas and heading to Valmiera for adventures.
Last week, the Valka County Children's and Youth Sports School celebrated the graduation of its MT-7 track and field group. The young athletes received their diplomas in the presence of school director Inese Kāposte, coaches Mudīte Gerke and Nataļja Afanasjeva, and parents.
In the first half of the day, graduates traveled to Valmiera, where they tackled an aerial obstacle course and enjoyed an adrenaline-filled boat ride over the Gauja River. The official ceremony took place at the Valka stadium, with speeches from director I. Kāposte, deputy chair of Valka County Council Ginta Krievkalna, and coach M. Gerke.
Director Inese Kāposte expressed hope that most of the young athletes would continue sports. She noted that Valka Jānis Cimze Gymnasium will have a sports class, and some graduates will continue training at the sports school. Many had participated in the Latvian Youth Olympiad in Valmiera this summer, and the director was pleased with their progress.
Enrollment for the 2026/2027 school year will primarily take place in August and September, but interested individuals can already submit applications. Last school year, more than 400 children attended the school, including interest clubs.
The season concluded with the "Valmiera Games 2026" competition on July 15 at Jānis Daliņš Stadium. In the U14 group, Markuss Marks Rukmanis won three medals (shot put, 100m, discus), Rikardo Neitans Grečins won two (high jump and 300m), Nikola Aumeistere came first in the 2000m, and Klāvs Zanderson placed fourth in both 100m and 300m. In the U16 group, Linda Konstante earned medals in discus and shot put. In the U18 group, Elīna Stepanova placed fourth in both disciplines, while the 4x100m relay team (Aleksandrs Krīgers, Eduards Petenoks, Matejs Doršs, Valts Daniels) finished fourth. Personal bests were set by Laura Kušķe, Sanija Freiberga, Matejs Doršs, and Paula Gedrjuka.
