History has been made for Lhtako territory. The region asked to host the 2024 BC Winter Games, and after about two years of active planning, the dream has been realized.
The Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games are now over, with about 1,300 athletes, coaches and officials converging on the community for four days of sports, culture and economic action from Feb. 22-25.
There were also a record number of Quesnel people involved directly as participants, and an impressive number of medals ended up staying right here around the necks of the local sports youth who earned them.
For example, in the previous BC Winter Games held in Vernon, Quesnel had six participants. This time, there were six Quesnel players just on the Zone 8 ringette team: Elyse Anderson, Nikolai Benson, Grace Cassidy, Izzy Jaroszuk, Alexis McHone and Mylie Schweitzer. The team placed fourth, ending with an exciting home ice medal game at West Fraser Centre.
In archery, Quesnel made a clean podium sweep, with all three out of the Quesnel River Archers Club earning two medals each: Kayla Erickson getting a gold and silver with a recurve bow, Kayden D’Entremont earning two silvers with a compound bow, and 150 Mile House’s Lily Fraser (who shoots for the Quesnel club) took two gold with a compound bow.
Hayden Booth, Elek Kovach, and Abbey Mackay all competed in biathlon, with Mackay winning bronze in the Junior Girls competition.
Cross-country skiers Carter Bohme, Friday Borsato-Stobbe and Lily Davison were also on their home trails at Hallis Lake and Barkerville.
Sayla Forman and Kassia Kitamura competed in artistic gymnastics. Cayleigh Arntsen, Shilo Bright and Nicholas Wozny competed in badminton.
That brought the total local athlete count to 20, winning seven medals.
The BC Games are also events that develop adults through coaching advancements and officials experience, which in turn loops back to helping future generations become better versions of themselves, through sport.
Quesnel was represented in the coaching and officials ranks by archery coaches Adam D’Entremont and Lora-Lee Murray; coach Taylor O’Flynn and officials Erin Hipkiss and Lisa Laundry in artistic gymnastics; official Dave Munro in badminton; officials in biathlon included Karen Balkwill, Alison Crellin, Jim Crellin, Chris Elden, Lisa McCargar and Cindy Sherstan; curling coach Justin Nillson; and Dacia Kimmie as a figure skating official.
Enormous sport and event hosting capacity was built through hundreds of volunteers a day who filled countless roles to ensure the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games were a success.
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