The shine of BC Winter Games medals is glinting from around the necks of Quesnel athletes.
The mega sports event was held in Vernon, this past weekend, and local athletes made the podium. In fact, half of those who represented our city are coming home with shiny hardware around their necks.
The belle of the ball for Quesnel is Brooklyn Novak who won two medals for archery, a bronze in the Girls Match Play Compound Sighted category and a silver in Girls 2-Day Aggregate Compound Sighted category, shooting at the Games range built into Vernon Secondary School.
Also with bronze medals are the Zone 8 ringette squad, with two players on the roster from Quesnel: goaltender Ivy Sinkinson and position player Avery Cassidy. They skated to the podium at Kal Tire Place’s north rink. For more on the ringette players, see Page A10
Three alpine skiers also hit the slopes of Silver Star Mountain, representing Quesnel. Petra Peter, Anna Marie Kadenback, and Liv Boudreau. Peter was involved in two events, unable to finish in the Slalom and coming 30th in Giant Slalom. Right behind her came Kadenbach in 31st and Boudreau in 34th.
In addition to the athletes, there are also nine others who went as either a coach or an official.
Michelle Kadenbach had coaching duties with the Zone 8 alpine skiers, and three were there for archery: Dale Chapplow as a head coach, Adam D’Entremont was an apprentice coach and Lora-Lee Murray was a mentor coach after attending the Games hosted by Penticton and Fort St. John, and is now part of the planning for Quesnel’s turn to host next year.
“I think this year’s Games (after missing a year due to pandemic lockdowns) were comparable,” said Murray. “I think I have learned some things that could be helpful to the planners, and I have some ideas and perspectives of athletes and coaches.”
The Games, no matter where they’re held, are about developing sport in general, not just some excitement for the athletes. Five people from Quesnel took part in the Games this year as officials, and now have deeper experience in their fields of play.
Elizabeth Eyford was there in badminton, Stuart Murray in archery, Lisa Laundry in artistic gymnastics and two for cross-country skiing: Chris Hyde and Chris Kovach.
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