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Vernon shines at B.C. Games JENNIFER SMITH
But no smile could beat that of VancouverSquamish biathlete Hunter Sones, who was Greater Vernon rocked the 2012 B.C. presented the W.R. Bennett Award for Athletic Winter Games, staging what is being declared Excellence. the best Games ever. “Wow,” said the speechless 13-year-old, Four days of intense competition, incred- donning the prestigious award which includes ible athletic ability a $2,500 scholarand an overwhelmship. ing Games spirit were Sones, from wrapped up and celGaribaldi Highlands, ebrated Sunday. has been participat“Without a quesing in biathlon since tion, these are the best the age of five and B.C. Winter Games was a three-time that have ever been bronze medallist at held,” Kelly Mann, the Games. president and CEO Sones is just one of the B.C. Games the 1,145 athletes Society told Vernonfrom across B.C., Monashee MLA Eric 292 coaches and 160 Foster prior to the officials who took closing ceremonies at part in the 15 differthe Wesbild Centre. ent sports. The ThompsonAkbal Mund, Okanagan zone president of the local secured 80 medals, Games committee, ranking second in was blown away by medal standings just the athletes’ passion behind Vancouverand desire to never JOSE LAROCHELLE/MORNING STAR Squamish with 81. give up. Salmon Arm athlete Samuel Kruk celebrates a Among those “That’s what bronze win in badminton with his Thompsonclaiming gold medthese games are all Okanagan teammates Sunday during the clos- about,” said Mund, als were Vernon’s Eric Byram (biathlon), ing ceremonies of the B.C Winter Games. who also read out Connie Kapak (speed a few letters from skating) and Jake athletes thanking Ondrik (freestyle skiing). The Thompson- Greater Vernon for hosting such a fabulous Okanagan also took the top podium position event. in girls curling, karate and speed skating. “We will remember the times we had here Athletes, both those proudly wearing forever,” an official from Parksville wrote in a medals and even those heading home empty- thank you letter. “It wouldn’t have been poshanded, were beaming as they left with some sible without you.” unbelievable memories. So while the athletes are the real stars of Morning Star Staff
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Vernon Freestyle Team’s Ty Schulte competes at the Big Air Competition at Silver Star Saturday where he claimed a B.C. Winter Games silver medal. the Games, Greater Vernon was also shining throughout the event. “It’s a nice community, nice people,” said 14-year-old Cassandra Wakefield, with the silver-medal Vancouver-Squamish girls hockey team. Wakefield and her fellow teammates appreciated all the work the 2,400 volunteers put in, noting that they were always pleasant and accommodating. But Vernon School District Superintendent Bev Rundell did apologize for the sleeping arrangements. “You are very courageous for sleeping on those mats and being at the height of your athletic ability,” she said. Yet Erika LeBlanc, 15, girls hockey player from Brackendale, said the mats weren’t as terrible as some made them out to be. “They weren’t actually that bad,” said
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LeBlanc, just before boarding her bus to return home. From the 2,400 volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, to the committee who has spent the last two years preparing for the event, the Games would not have been possible without them, said Foster. “It’s a huge, huge undertaking,” said Foster. “It’s a lot of work for a very short time. “Congratulations to the committee on staging the best B.C. Winter Games ever.” Bill McNanora, president of the Surrey 2012 Summer Games, was also on hand at Sunday’s ceremonies to accept the B.C. Games flag. Although a little jealous, Mund wished Surrey well as he passed on the flag and the torch slowly began to burn out in Vernon. For more Games coverage check out the Sports section on A24 and A25. For full Games results visit www.2012bcwintergames.ca.
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