The Vancouver Island-Central Coast (Zone 6) team capped a strong final day at the Abbotsford 2016 BC Summer Games on July 24 by vaulting over the Fraser Valley into first place in the overall medal count.
Zone 6, bolstered by a competitive contingent of Comox Valley athletes and coaches, earned a total of 62 golds, 43 silvers and 56 bronze for 161 overall. They beat out second place Fraser Valley, who won 48 gold, 53 silver and 36 bronze for a total of 142.
Fraser River finished third overall, winning 51 gold, 45 silver and 34 bronze (134) while Vancouver-Coastal (Zone 5) was fourth with 38 gold, 49 silver and 45 bronze (132).
Valley athletes were particularly impressive in the pool.
Jonathan Christopher Drygasuk of Comox helped Zone 6 win bronze in the boys 4x50m relay to go along with individual golds in 200m I.M, 400m freestyle, 200m backstroke and 1500m freestyle.
Special Olympics swimmer Jake Hooper of Lazo also brought home five medals, including silver in 50m breaststroke and bronze in 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke and 100m breaststroke.
Tyra Schaad of Courtenay and Sara Kreeger of Black Creek helped Zone 6 win silver in girls rugby and Cameron Christenson of Comox was with the gold medal Zone 6 girls volleyball team.
Connor Glowach of Courtenay earned a pair of podium appearances, helping Zone 6 win gold in wrestling and taking silver in his 84kg weight division.
Will Howard of Comox captured silver in the boys/girls Optimist Blue Fleet sailing event while Ryan Novecosky of Courtenay brought home bronze in golf.
Helping Zone 6 win girls soccer silver were Matt Thomas of Courtenay, Lauren Wigard of Courtenay, Aisha Hunter-Bellavia of Comox, Sophie Laver of Courtenay, Tiana Stewart of Comox, coach Jeff Howe of Courtenay, Sarah Bard of Comox and Ciara Halvorson of Courtenay.
In athletics, Carley Buckley of Comox helped Zone 6 win girls 4x100m relay bronze while Lauren Lineger of Comox and Angelique Kennedy of Courtenay boosted Zone 6 to bronze in the girls 4x400m relay.
Just missing the podium were Shaina Friedman of Cumberland and Jessica Reynolds of Courtenay who finished fourth in girls 420 sailing.
