Skylar Sieben, 16, has set a new Alberta record in the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championship in the women's U18 heptathlon event.

A member of Team Alberta, Sieben had a combined scored 5020 points from the seven disciplines of the event, the highest by an Alberta youth since the national track and field championship was created in 1977. She was followed by Ashley Germain, of Dynamique de Laval, with 4831 points and Chloe Royce, of Team Quebec, with 4625 points.

Sieben was also part of Team Alberta's silver medal performance in the 4x400, finishing second to Quebec. Quebec clocked in at 3:51.04 and Alberta was close behind at 3:52.24.

It's Sieben's second and final year competing in the U18 heptathlon and going out on top is quite a thrill for the Cochrane High star track athlete. Last year, as one of the youngest athletes in the U18 event she finished seventh and the year previous in U16 she won silver in the pentathlon, which includes five discplines.

On her way to the gold she placed in all seven events. She was first in the women's javelin, second in long jump, 800m run and 100m hurdles and third in high jump, 200m dash, 3kg shotput.

Sieben continues to rack up the honours in track and field and earlier this year helped lead the Cochrane High School team to another provincial championship by medalling in all four of her events, including gold in shotput and high jump, silver in 100m hurdles and bronze in long jump.

The training for the nationals, though, really starts in earnest after high school provincials. She trained at Cowpow extensively for the nationals and had to meet set standards and compete in the Cowtown Classic to earn a spot on Team Alberta.

"It does take a lot of training," says Sieben. "I trained all summer six days a week once school ended to get technical work and fitness up."

She's now a veteran of the Legion's national event, the only one of its kind for youth in Canada, held this year in Brandon, MN, and she's become familiar with the pressures involved.

"My first year there I was pretty nervous. It was nice to have the two years under my belt when I went this year."

Spending time with the other athletes from across Canada in the event was also enjoyable.

"It was a great, especially in the heptathlon. You get know the girls because you spend two whole days with them and they don't let you leave the event tent to attend other events. So you literally have to spend the full  two days in the tent with all the girls. I had some new friends coming out of it by the end."

Sieben will now set aside track and focus on playing for the Cochrane Cobras senior girls volleyball team, that in addition to her studies as a grade 12 student. She will be returning to her track and field training after the volleyball season ends.

Looking forward, she now takes aim at competing at the national junior championship next July against other grade 12 and 1st year university athletes. Beyond that, she would like to continue to compete at the post-secondary level.

"I'd like to go to the States where I can do track outside year-round. I would loved to pursue sports past high school at this level."

She speaks highly of the Alberta Legion branches who support the young athletes.

"The Legion was really great for Team Alberta. We didn't have to pay a single thing to get there at all, they sponsored us all."

Sieben's mother Esther Sieben was a track star herself and earned numerous honours provincially and nationally. She is head coach for the Cochrane High School track and field team and also coaches club athletes.