Black Press/Townsman Staff
The Abbotsford 2016 BC Summer Games kick off in less than one month and 3181 of BC's best emerging high performance talents have registered and are ready to be part of this celebration of sport and community which runs July 21-24.
The 2,448 athletes are from every corner of the province and have trained to earn a place to represent their zone at the Games. Competing in 18 different sports, the athletes are an average of 14 years old and for most, this will be their first experience at a multi-sport Games.
Forty-five athletes and their coaches from Cranbrook and 17 from Kimberley will be joining the Zone 1 (Kootenays) team. See full list below).
These athletes will be supported by 473 coaches and 260 officials who have completed their certification in order to provide the best knowledge and expertise to the athletes and the competition.
Volunteers in Abbotsford have been preparing for the past 18 months to host the Games – the second time this community has done so. There will be over 3,000 volunteers working to ensure the participants have exceptional competition and a first-rate experience with Opening and Closing Ceremonies, special events, and wonderful hospitality.
"The tremendous sport facilities in Abbotsford combined with experienced and enthusiastic volunteers will make for a memorable event in July," said Kelly Mann, President and CEO of the BC Games Society. "These BC Summer Games will be the first step for many athletes towards future national and international level competitions and we look forward to following their journey."
The BC Summer Games has been the starting point for many athletes who have gone on to higher levels of sport. The last time Abbotsford hosted the BC Summer Games was in 2004 and it was where some of today's top athletes got their start including Brett Lawrie, who now plays Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox and 2012 Olympic medalists Richard Weinberger (swimming) and Gillian Carelton (cycling).
As the BC Games conclude, all eyes will be on the next Games this summer with Team Canada preparing for the Olympic and Paralympics in Rio. BC Games alumni will be front and centre with athletes like Nikola Girke (sailing), Emily Overholt (swimming), and Fred Winters (volleyball) set to represent our country.
For more information about the BC Summer Games please visit BCGAMES.ORG.
Cranbrook Athletes
BC Summer Games 2016
Erika Mollet - Athletics
Aaron Grist - Golf
Josh Flowers - Box Lacrosse
Alfons Hummel - Box Lacrosse
Will Kirkvold - Box Lacrosse
Cooper McLaughlin - Box Lacrosse
Dylan Messer - Box Lacrosse
Tanner Scoville - Box Lacrosse
Russ Sheppard - Box Lacrosse (ass't coach)
Graysen Spring - Box Lacrosse
Jared Adams - Rowing
Caisey Cox - Rowing
Kurt Mohr - Rowing (ass't coach)
Roberta Rogers - Rowing (head coach)
Tomi Simek - Rowing
Mazelin Francis - Girls'Rugby
Asia Franklin - Girls'Rugby
Morgann Johnson - Girls'Rugby
Andrea Lockhart - Girls'Rugby
Paige McKenzie - Girls'Rugby
Sierra Quaife - Girls'Rugby
Katherine Soderstrom - Girls'Rugby
Sarah Engler - Girls' Soccer
Lauryn Tracey - Girls' Soccer
Madison Amy - Girls' Softball
Alison Giesbrecht - Girls' Softball
Brea McCormack - Girls' Softball
Barry McCormack (ass't coach) - Girls' Softball
Victoria Pinchak-Chase - Girls' Softball
Chayne Plaza - Girls' Softball
Sarah Schieman - Girls' Softball
Georgia Wurzer - Girls' Softball
Tim Fix - Triathlon Head Coach
Katie Andersen - Beach Volleyball
Dylan Bohmer - Beach Volleyball
Morgan Charlton - Beach Volleyball
Troy McFadzen - Head Coach, Beach Volleyball
Tevin Burton - Boys Volleyball
Riley Byman - Boys Volleyball
Graydon Dawson - Boys Volleyball
Cole Dillabough - Boys Volleyball
Jordan Simpson - Boys Volleyball
Sheldon Thomas - Boys Volleyball
Dryden Gris - Girls Volleyball
Sarah Soderstrom - Girls Volleyball
Kimberley Athletes
BC Summer Games 2016
Andy Gray - Athletics (Adult Supervisor)
Dawson Gray - Athletics
Braydon Hoglund - Athletics
Molly Miller - Athletics
Christine Wilson - Athletics (Adult Supervisor)
Sydney Wilson - Athletics
Donovan Anderson - Golf
Regan Hoko - Golf (Adult Supervisor)
Sydney Hoko - Golf
Michael Blackwell - Box Lacrosse
Holly Boulton - Girls Rugby
Ava Kile - Girls Rugby
Marnie Kramer-Kile - Girls Rugby (Adult Supervisor)
Oliva Sheppard - Girls Rugby
Sarah Brooks-White - Girls Soccer
Lucy Fox - Girls Soccer
Mike Fox - Girls Soccer (Assistant Coach)