Now in its ninth year, the annual Debbie Miller Classic has become one of the most popular track and field meets for high school athletes from across Southern Ontario, held at the Kiwanis Field at Pauline Johnson Collegiate in Brantford.
Debbie Miller, who is an Olympian and holds multiple records in the area for her sprinting, came from Halifax to attend the event as she does every year.
“It’s great to see it grow…there are so many people coming out to this event competing and we have so many others watching and supporting these great athletes…the turn out was amazing…it was double the people coming out this year then we had last year which for me is such a great honor,” Miller said. “This a sport which I did for so long and it was something that I loved to do… and now getting a chance to talk to these young athletes and see that they feel the same way is special. I am also grateful for the Kiwanis Club to have built such an amazing track here which is something I am so proud of [and] provides a place for many athletes to train and compete right here in Brantford.”
Jennifer Janzen, the conveyor of the event, as well as a teacher and coach at Pauline Johnson Collegiate said hundreds of track and field athletes from many high schools in the region attended the ninth annual event.
“We’ve been putting on this event since 2017. So, it’s me along with a lot of the Pauline Johnson staff including some who have since retired…we organize it every year in honor of both Debbie Miller and Rick Mannen. It’s a meet that showcases the local talent that we have here while honoring the talent that we have had in the past,” Janzen explained. “For this year’s event, 600 athletes from 16 schools competed. Some of these schools that have come here to compete this year including ones from London and Guelph…they learned about the meet through word of mouth, and heard good things about it. But their presence here is important, especially for the kids…as they get to see people like Debbie and Rick in person and get to talk with them and get some advice from them. At the meet, [these athletes] get to be cheered on by their families and their communities…letting them know that there are no limits to their athletic abilities.”
However, Rick Mannen, who has won many accolades for his long-distance running and like Miller, a part of the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition, explained what the meet is all about.
“Debbie Miller is the essence of this meet. She’s been around running for many years…although she left Brantford some years ago, she’s never left the sport, and as the kids see her wherever she goes, she leaves a trail of happiness,” said Mannen. “That’s what she has instilled in this meet…which has gotten bigger every year, so it’s just great to see all of the kids happy and enjoying what we are passionate about which is running, jumping, and throwing. And of course, the meet organizers have done a really good job at getting the word out. There’s a lot more schools attending this year… [which is] a testament to the hard work of the people that are putting this on.”
During the course of the meet, which included” sprinting, hurdling, long-distance racing and other high school field events there were 16 records broken including Mya Rypma from North Park Collegiate for the girls 1,500M run and the boys 4×100 relay with Curtis Donaldson, Ryley Rowe, Carson Slezsak and Josh Marckesano of Pauline Johnson Collegiate.
Miller acknowledged the success of the meet along with a desire to grow it for next year.
“I was pretty excited for this year’s meet because there were many parents that came out and our numbers went up as far as athletes go [and] the participation of so many schools. I had a chance to meet and talk with the athletes throughout the day…and they were really excited to be part of this meet…I also enjoyed seeing how they were in tune and that they were ready to compete. Many of them really showed just how incredible athletes they are,” Miller said. “For next year, I am going to work with people in the community to raise funds for a new gym board as Pauline Johnson really needs one…I also wanted to get more sponsors onboard, which will definitely help grow the event and get the word out to get more people involved… three years ago, I got Toyota as a sponsor, and it would be great to see more sponsorships for 2026.”
