Rossburn freshman McKim jumps into finals

WINNIPEG — Kacey McKim is the definition of a natural, but possesses the work ethic of one who can’t afford to rely on talent.

That’s a dangerous combination for anyone in her way.

The Rossburn Raiders freshman jumped her way into the junior varsity girls long jump and high jump finals at high school track and field provincials on Friday, with minimal time to train for either one.

That’s because until last week, she was making the 150-kilometre trip to Souris to help the Sabres varsity girls rugby team push for a provincial title.

Before that, McKim was captaining Russell Club Volleyball’s 15-and-under squad.

She stepped up to the high jump event at University of Manitoba Stadium unaware she had the top qualifying jump in the province at 1.52 metres, so she had no reason for nerves before clearing the bar on each of her jumps to reach the 1.45m standard to qualify for the final.

McKim’s just taking it all in at the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association’s biggest event of the year.

“It’s been really fun to see people I know from other places, meet new people and see everyone else’s skill and abilities,” McKim said.

The five-foot-eight jumper and sprinter won four track and field medals at the 2024 Manitoba Games in Dauphin, jumping 1.35m to win the high jump and 4.28m for first in the long jump.

She ran the 80m in 11.64 seconds for bronze, and the 150m in 21.09 for silver.

Then, McKim got the call to let her know she was Team West’s flag bearer for the closing ceremony.

“I was really surprised. I didn’t know that flag bearer was a thing,” McKim chuckled, admitting she didn’t recognize the number and let it go to voicemail.

“I called them back and they told me about it. I told my parents and they were like, ‘You know that’s a big deal?’

“It was a super cool experience.”

McKim has also started for the Rossburn varsity girls’ volleyball team as the lone freshman, and led RCV to a ninth-place finish at club provincials. She’s been playing rugby for five years now, and made an immediate impact on the Souris squad, which she joined because it’s the only WHSR school small enough to be allowed to form a co-op team.

The Sabres finished second in Westman High School Rugby and third at provincials. McKim was named the team’s most valuable player, an award Team Canada hooker Emily Tuttosi received three times.

It was a quick turnaround before track and field.

“I only had two high jump practices and it was in a gym, so I was kind of nervous about that,” McKim said.

“(Thursday) night on the way in, I stopped in Brandon to practise block starts because I’d never raced with them before.

“The most coaching I ever had was when I did Manitoba Games, so it’s just remembering all the stuff I learned and using it.”

McKim reached the 100m semifinals with a 13.24 preliminary run. She needed to match that mark to qualify for the final, but posted 13.57.

She set a personal best with a 4.47m long jump, which ranks seventh heading into today’s final, .28m back of Stonewall’s Lacey Learning (4.75).

While there’s hardware on the line and elevated pressure for some today, McKim has already figured out how to handle big events.

“When I go to big events like this, it’s realizing I’m not in a small town, people are going to be better, but do the best I can and have a good time,” McKim said.

“Doing well in my events and doing my best, people are like, ‘Where’s Rossburn?’ (It’s fun), coming out of the blue and being competition from a small school.”

» tfriesen@brandonsun.com