Six Campbell River athletes were among the Vancouver Island delegation to last weekend’s 2015 Special Olympics BC Winter Games in Kamloops, and all six medaled while achieving personal best marks.
Three coaches and a mission staffer joined the athletes in the 140-member delegation, the largest at the games.
Dallas Flynn started the medal count going with a silver medal performance in Floor Hockey Skills.
The Campbell River Special Olympic Snow Shoe team of Krista Meldrum, Shelly Morrison, Hazen Meade, Paul Aubochon and Reise Collins along with their coaches Burton Collins and Yvonne Senay travelled to Sunpeaks resort for competition on both Feb 19 and 20.
Divisioning races were held on the Friday in all disciplines from the 50 m to the 1600 m with the medal events taking place on Saturday.
Coaches Yvonne and Burton brought their athletes to personal best performances in the snow shoe competition Feb. 19-20 at Sunpeaks Resort.
Hazen Meade continued his amazing development as a snow shoe racer with dominating performances in the 1600 metres, 800 metres and the 400 metres, taking home three gold medals and a bronze in the team relay.
Paul Aubochon displaying a spark from his past, blazing his way to a gold medal in the 800 meters. As a last-minute addition to the relay team he added a silver medal.
Krista Meldrum won bronze medals in the 200-metre and 400-metre events and a silver medal in the team relay competition, with personal-best times in all of her events, and Shelly Morrison won bronze medals in the 100-metre and 200-metre races.
“My mom and dad will be so proud,” said Morrison.
And “Captain” Reise Collins had a stellar weekend of competition where he ran a race of a lifetime in the 200 m capturing his first ever gold medal at a Provincial Games to go along with his silver medal in the 800-metre race.
Also, Campbell River curling coach Cheryl Clay coached athletes from the Comox Valley to a silver medal in curling, a new winter sport for Special Olympics BC-Campbell River.
Special Olympics BC Campbell River sends out a huge thank you to Harvey and Maureen Hunter, who continue to amaze with their dedication to Special Olympics and who have built a sporting community in Campbell River that is the best in Canada.
The organization also expressed its sincere thanks to all its sponsors, such as Pioneer Home Hardware, Marine Harvest Canada, Grieg Seafood, Broad Street Developments and many, many others who continue to support the coaches, volunteers and athletes in pursuing their dreams.
