Mason Sartain: 17th to 1st in Nine Months

Mason Sartain, of Bonnyville, has had an incredible past nine months. The soon to be 15 year old has been lighting up the Alberta club track circuit. He has become a feared competitor in his signature event, the 100m dash.

Starts with a spark

Every athlete begins their journey with a spark that ignites a passion. For some kids it might be a simple meeting with a local hero, or seeing something on TV. For Mason it began with a simple conversation with family. Roughly nine months ago, Mason was talking with his mom and dad. He told them he wanted to go the Olympics. Sartain had started seeing he had ability to do so as he competed in school track events. Mason’s mom Stacy explained to Mason that he needed to start at a club level.

Yellowjackets welcome Mason

Mason began his training and competitions with the Lakeland Yellowjackets. He participated in his first full indoor season, which saw several successes. At the Alberta Provincial Indoor Championships, he managed to set a provincial record in 60 m competition. The indoor season saw Mason take home four gold medals, three silver medals, and four bronze medals.

The indoor season ended up being so successful that Mason decided to take his talents outdoors, as did several other Yellowjackets.

The 60m competition actually gives Mason a great feel for how he runs. “[It usually takes] 60m to get to top speed. I’m usually neck and neck until we get to our top speeds.” Mason explains.

Success carries into the elements

Rain or shine, Mason trained for the outdoor season. At an outdoor competition in Leduc in mid-June, Mason put up an impressive hat-trick of gold medals. He placed first in 100m, 200m and long jump. It was around that time that Kevin Sartain (Mason’s dad) started hearing other kids talk about Mason. The other kids didn’t talk in a bad mouthing way. They were beginning to see just how hard Mason was becoming to beat.

Mason is a multi-sport athlete like most kids his age. During a soccer game, he injured his hip. The injury followed him throughout the time following the triple gold performance in Leduc. Mason wrapped up the Alberta outdoor season with the Sherwood Park Track Classic. Even while battling through injury, Sartain managed a neck and neck second place finish in his beloved 100m dash. He missed first place by 0.02 seconds, and took a silver.

Mason managed a very impressive outdoor season with a total of 10 gold medals, and four silvers.

“When we started the season I was ranked around 17th. By the end of the indoor season, I took first. Came to the outdoor season, and me and this kid Jackson are always back and forth until these last few track meets.” Mason Sartain says.

Putting Alberta on notice

Mason’s top time of the year is an 11.39 seconds in 100m, which ranks as the eighth fastest time in Canada. He also holds the second fastest time in Alberta 200m with an 23.57 second run. As mentioned before, Mason also competes in long jump, where he currently holds the second longest jump in Alberta with 5.98 meters.

Not done yet

Mason still has one more important event left on his outdoor schedule. He will compete with Team Alberta at the Legion Nationals in Brandon, Manitoba from August 11-13. Mason has been working with Yellowjackets Coach Larry Godziuk to get ready for the big stage.

“Our training routine, just repetitive stuff. Always helping me with techniques, and getting stronger, my legs faster. [He’s] always pushing me to win.” Sartain says of Coach Godziuk.