Coach Dariusz Pachnik:
In spring, all competitions were cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. As a result, all events planned for and moved from the first half of the year are being held in autumn. This has led to a concentration of the most important events, including championship competitions.
A week ago, we informed you about the success of Stanisław Pachnik, who won two Polish championship titles. Last weekend, the Polish Club Championships were held in Lower Silesia. The UKS Orientpark.pl Iwiny team took part in the event.
The three-day competition opened on Friday with a sprint at Książ Castle. The race was not a successful one for the club from Iwiny. The best results were achieved by Jędrzej and Stanisław Pachnik, who finished fourth in their respective categories. Kornelia Kulka (K10) finished fifth, Martyna Nikołajuk (K12) eighth, Maja Nikołajuk (K14) eleventh, and Oliwia Hetnar (K12) thirteenth; the others finished lower.
On Saturday, the classic-distance race took place in Bystrzyca Górna near Świdnica. D. Pachnik:
That day, we were already celebrating two silver medals. In the junior category, Stasiu Pachnik finished just behind Stanisław Kurzyp (WKS Śląsk Wrocław), while in the younger junior category his brother Jędrek, who is still a youth competitor, was beaten only by Stanisław Wołek (UNTS Warszawa).
Also finishing in the top ten were Kornelia Kulka—in fifth place, Antek Pachnik—in seventh, and Martyna Nikołajuk—in eighth.
Sunday brought the relay race in the picturesque surroundings of Grodno Castle, in Zagórze Śląskie. The coach of the runners from Iwiny:
The difficult, mountainous terrain was probably our ally. The M14 and, unexpectedly, M12 relay teams won bronze medals. While we expected the youth team—consisting of Gracjan Dwojak, Jędrek Pachnik and Maja Nikołajuk—to fight for a medal, the relay team made up of two eleven-year-olds, Oliwia Hetnar and Martyna Nikołajuk, and ten-year-old Antek Pachnik caused a major surprise.
Stanisław Pachnik completed the medal haul. Despite bringing the relay into first place after the second leg, he had to settle for a silver medal because the lead changed in Śląsk Wrocław’s favor during the final leg.
Our youth girls’ team, consisting of Oliwia Roman, Sonia Szeliga and Julia Halewicz, finished the race in eighth place. Ultimately, our club ranked 19th in the team standings (out of 40 classified clubs). This means that this year we have been promoted to the second division!!!
In a week, UKS Orientpark.pl Iwiny will travel to Zdzieszowice (Opole Voivodeship) for the Inter-Voivodeship Youth Championships, where our athletes will once again compete for medals.
Congratulations, and we wish you continued success!