They came. They played. They won gold.
Nine Powell River athletes travelled to Kamloops to compete in the 2015 Special Olympics BC Winter Games, held February 19 to 21, and they all returned home with gold medals.
About 600 athletes from around the province competed for medals in alpine and cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and speed skating.
The Powell River curling team, which includes Michelle LaCroix, Richard Lang, Thomas White, Lance Barker and Dale Eckart, coached by Cameron Reid and Susan Storry, won a gold medal for its top performance in B division.
Reid said he was pleased with his team’s success. He stressed the fact that he was not able to coach the team during play, except for a 90-second time out half-way though.
“That leaves them to make the decisions during the game itself,” Reid said. “It impresses me because, either by memory or by the way they play, they know what to call.”
Powell River’s floor hockey team also took gold in the A division. The team is coached by Tarra Tipton and includes Tanya Norman, Andrew Swindlehurst, Robert Lang as well as more players from Comox.
Jordyn McGregor came home with a gold medal in the female division for her floor hockey skills.
In Kamloops, athletes competed for the chance to advance to the 2016 Special Olympic Canada Winter Games in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Tipton said the athletes will receive confirmation this month whether they are headed to the Nationals next year.
