All in the family
It’s no surprise it’s all sports, all the time at the May household.
With mom Wanita Dykstra-May, one of the most decorated and successful female high jumpers in Canadian history, and dad Chris May, a successful long distance runner and soccer fanatic, it’s no wonder all three of their children are heavily into both sports.
“They always showed an interest,” said Dykstra-May, who holds the Canadian junior high jump record of 1.92 metres. “Chris and I are die-hard track fans so that kind of sets the ground work, but they’ve always loved it.”
It also helps that mom coaches Mikayla, a 16-year-old Grade 11 student, and Connor, a 15-year-old, Grade 9 student, at Smithville Christian High School.
“Sports is a big thing in our family, mainly track and soccer,” Mikayla said. “My dad really enjoys soccer and my mom track, so it’s fun.
“It’s nice having that because she’s experienced as well as a mom who is a good coach.”
Connor agrees.
“It helps a lot and they know a lot more about the events and stuff,” he said.
Mikayla and Connor both specialize in the triple jump and did well at the recent Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (SOSSA) and South Regional meets, barely missing out on qualifying for the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSSA) championships this weekend.
“With both of them triple jumping, they egg each other on and encourage each other at the same time so it’s been a lot of fun watching them,” Dykstra-May said. “I’m coaching at Smithville and both kids are there so just makes it so much easier.”
Dykstra-May went to Beacon Christian School in St. Catharines where youngest daughter Kaitlyn is a Grade 6 student who also participates in track.
The St. Catharines native loves being both mom and coach.
“We joke around a lot so I don’t think they get frustrated too often with me because I know when to walk away and when to give a break,” she said.
Dykstra-May is thrilled to see track and field make a return after two years off due to the pandemic.
“It’s a great camaraderie with the school team,” she said. “Everyone helps each other. After two years and trying so hard to get track to go again, just realizing to have fun and this is a team sport even though it’s individual. We’ve done challenges in school with some of the workouts. Little fun things.
“I really wanted them to fall in love with track again.”
Both Connor and Mikayla also play for their school’s soccer teams, with Mikayla at OFSAA this weekend with the Storm.
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