Twenty-three local athletes were celebrated on Sunday Sept. 17 at the Sports Hall of Fame presentation in the Dunkley Room at the new West Fraser Centre.
Members of the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee adjudicated submissions to the Hall of Fame to determine this year’s award winners.
The Quesnel B.C. Lightning Curling Club, including Glenda Melnychuk, Travis Burt, Alfred Schotel, Martin Scriver and Dean Cake, was honoured at the presentation, as was the Quesnel Rollers five-pin bowling team, made up of Cory Melnychuk, Jean Scriver, Eldon Carter and Dean Cake.
Cory Melnychuk was also honoured for cross-country skiing, and Eldon Carter for his individual five-pin bowling achievements.
Cherie Swann and Danny Dodgson received awards for their achievements in snowshoeing.
Other first-time Hall of Fame inductees included Christopher Henderson, Celina DeRose and Bianca Thompson for gymnastics; Tammy Gebert for rugby; and Lora-Lee Murray and Diana Freel for archery.
Kelly Murray was a second-time inductee for her achievements in archery.
Quesnel Aquatics Club relay team Casey Fisher, Lucy Jespersen, Lauren Pastachak and Audrey Jespersen were recognized, and Audrey Jespersen was also honoured individually for the three gold medals she won during the swimming provincial championships.
Additional second-time Hall of Fame inductees included Emerie Watson and Sandy Watson, both for their achievements in archery.
Councillor Laurey-Anne Roodenburg and John Massier, a director of the Cariboo Regional District (CRD), emceed the event, while Mayor Bob Simpson and CRD director Jerry Bruce handed out the awards.
A slideshow of Quesnel Sports Hall of Fame winners will appear permanently in the West Fraser Centre lobby. This digital presentation replaces the past process of displaying individual plaques on the walls of the arena.