Central Saanich athlete Rayah Underwood made a memorable national debut by winning silver in the U16 girls’ pentathlon at the Legion Nationals. The three-day event ran from August 8 to 10 at Foothills Athletic Park in Calgary, Alberta.
The 14-year-old, who trains with the Peninsula Track and Field Club and Speed Mechanics, posted a total score of 3,051 points in five demanding events held in a single day: 80-metre hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump, and 800 metres.
Underwood set personal bests in four events. She reached 10.65 metres in shot put, 4.91 metres in long jump, 12.77 seconds in hurdles, and achieved a lifetime-best overall score.
“It was very cool,” Underwood said. “I’ve never been to a national meet before, and coming out with a medal was such a great experience. I really wanted to get some personal bests – and I did.”
Her biggest improvement came in shot put, where she added nearly half a metre to her previous best. That throw gave her the overall lead midway through the competition. She eventually finished in second place after completing the final events.
Her father, Darrell Underwood, who accompanied her to Calgary, praised her dedication. “She’s trained very hard this past year to improve her track and field,” he said. “After provincials, she chose to put in another month of training for nationals. It gives you a lot of pride to see her work so hard for something.”
The Legion Nationals are hosted annually by the Royal Canadian Legion in partnership with Athletics Canada. The event draws the country’s top youth athletes and provides a national stage for rising stars.
Greater Victoria had a strong showing in Calgary. St. Margaret’s student Ciara Faith McKenzie won gold in the U18 women’s discus. Team BC athletes Levi Seel and Levi Venables earned bronze in javelin and silver in the 400-metre hurdles, respectively. Tristan Hill of Victoria Speed Project also competed, as did Peninsula Track and Field Club’s Coen Holmgren in middle-distance races.
After the pentathlon, Underwood also took part in the triple jump later in the week. Despite her success, she is already looking ahead.
“I’d love to go to university for sport one day,” she said. “My coaches have been amazing – they make such a difference. I hope this is just the beginning of my athletic pursuit.”
Underwood’s performance highlights her rapid rise in youth athletics. Her silver medal at the Legion Nationals is a testament to her skill, determination, and disciplined training. With strong support from her coaches and family, she is well-positioned to achieve more in national and international competitions.
As the season continues, Underwood plans to build on her personal bests and compete in more events. Her achievements inspire other young athletes in Central Saanich and across Canada, showing that dedication and hard work can lead to national recognition even at a young age.
With a combination of talent and perseverance, Rayah Underwood is one to watch in Canada’s youth track and field scene. Her silver medal in the pentathlon may be just the start of a promising athletic career.
