Athletic prowess was celebrated at the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee’s recent meeting on May 22, as City council members and Cariboo Regional District (CRD) directors inducted local athletes into the Quesnel Sports Hall of Fame for achievements in 2017.
There were a handful of athletes receiving certificates heralding their second, third or even fourth time being recognized by the Sports Hall of Fame, as well as some new faces in the crowd. Athletes as well as contributors to sport were recognized for their outstanding successes in Quesnel’s sporting community.
“Seeing so many active people is heartwarming and bodes well for our future,” said city councillor Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, who co-presented the awards with CRD director Jerry Bruce.
Quesnel’s digital Sports Hall of Fame presentation is in its second year, and recipients’ achievements will be displayed on a screen in the lobby of the West Fraser Centre.
Richard Gauthier, recreation manager for the City of Quesnel, says he and the other members of the adjudicating committee had a tough job this year.
“There are quite a few repeats. It’s good to see that, especially in archery. There are so many archers still in the sport, loving it and excelling,” he comments.
“And then there are the newbies – like William Swyers, he won six gold medals at the Indigenous Games last year, so that’s really neat. And the aquatic team, they’ve been together for many years and are repeat winners, but they are blowing out records.”
Co-presenters Roodenburg and Bruce sung the praises of each athlete, and each was called to the front of the room to receive a trophy or certificate from Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson and CRD vice-chair John Massier. Proud parents and loved ones snapped photos as the athletes shook hands and accepted their awards.
“It’s nice to acknowledge all the great athletes that are in our community,” says Gauthier.
After each Sports Hall of Fame inductee received their awards, the Joint Planning Committee called up Quesnel Thunder Midget hockey team, which won the Midget Tier 2 Provincial Championship in March this year, on home turf in the West Fraser Centre.
The team received a special mention at the meeting on Tuesday, to acknowledge their win and celebrate the organizers of Quesnel’s first tournament event in the West Fraser Centre.
Check out our slideshow of the 2017 Sports Hall of Fame inductees:
2017 Sports Hall 0f Fame inductees
Claudia Fisztner, gold in Cadet Girls Bare Bow at the B.C. Indoor Archery Championships.
Courtney Cox, gold in Junior Girls Bare Bow at the B.C. Indoor Archery Championships and gold in Junior Girls Bare Bow at the Canadian Archery Championships.
Lora-Lee Murray, gold in Senior Ladies Bare Bow at the B.C. Indoor Archery Championships and gold in Senior Ladies Bare Bow at the B.C. Outdoor Archery Championships.
Spencer Gamache, gold in Cadet Boys Compound at the B.C. Indoor Archery Championships.
Diana Freel, gold in Ladies Master 50 Compound at the B.C. Indoor Archery Championships and gold in Ladies Master 55-62 Compound Division at the 55+ Archery Games.
Sandy Watson, gold in Master 70 Compound at the B.C. Indoor Archery Championships.
Layton Smith, gold in Men’s Master 60 Compound at the B.C. 3D Archery Championship.
Louise Smith, gold in Master 60 Ladies Compound at the B.C. 3D Archery Championship.
Kayla Erickson, gold in Peewee Girls Bare Bow at the B.C. 3D Archery Championship.
William Swyers, gold in the 200-metre individual medley, 50-metre backstroke, 100-metre breaststroke, 50-metre breaststroke, U14 4 x 100-metre freestyle relay and U16 4 x 50-metre medley relay at the North American Indigenous Games.
Garnet Currie, gold in the 400-metre individual medley at the Swim B.C. Short Course AA Provincial Championships.
Quesnel Ringette U14 Division, gold in the Provincial B B.C. Ringette Championship.
Bianca Thompson, gold in uneven bars Level 4 at the B.C. School Sport Gymnastics Championships.
Jessica Higgins, gold in all-around Level 5 at the High School Provincial Gymnastics Championships.
Quesnel Aquatic Club (Lauren Pastachak, Casey Fisher, Lucy Jespersen, Audrey Jespersen), gold in girls division 5 200-metre freestyle relay and girls division 5 medley relay at the BCSSA 2017 Provincial Championships 59th Championship Meet.
