FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2017
ATHLETICS TEAM AWARDED TEAM BC’S FIRST MEDALS
19U Female Lacrosse Makes History, Team BC Softball Sweeps and Rifle Shooters Aim for Medals
Toronto, ON – Team BC’s athletics team earned two medals in cross-country events on the first day of competition. Fifteen-year-old Marquesis Haintz claimed the first medal for Team BC, taking home silver in the 16U 3K division. Marquesis persevered through the grueling course, saying, “I knew when I crossed the finish line I was crossing for a medal.” Marquesis’ early success was followed up with another medal for Team BC by Hannah McGuckin, with a bronze in the 19U 6K. Head Coach, Jack Miller is pleased with the team’s performance, stating, “the team had a really good day, all of our athletes performed well or better than expected.” The team will rest tomorrow and begin preparing for track & field events that will begin on Thursday, July 20. Team BC action continued at various venues around the city.
The 19U Female Lacrosse team made history today, becoming the first female lacrosse team to play in the Games. They earned a victory in their second game of the day, winning 12-4 against Team Saskatchewan. Head Coach, Savanna Smith, noted that the team rebounded well from their loss in the first game and is looking to build momentum throughout the week.
Team BC’s softball teams swept their first day of games! The 19U female softball team had a strong first day, winning 4-2 over Team New York. Head Coach, Michelle Webster noted that there were many outstanding defensive plays during the game and she is looking forward to the next few days of competition. The 19U male softball team had a great win against Team Eastern Door with a final score of 9-2. The 16U male softball team had a fantastic start to the week, winning 15-0 against Team Eastern Door. The 16U female team finished the day with a win over Team New York with a score of 7-3.
19U Male rifle shooters, Mark Anthony Roberts and Matthew Britton, are leading after the first session of 3P with scores of 562 and 527. Mark and Matthew will finish their second session tomorrow with their eyes on medal finishes. 19U Female rifle shooter, Sunshine O’Donovan had a great first session, leading the field with a score of 549. Jared Erickson and Anthony Joe from the 16U team had a great first day and are sitting second and third after today’s session. 16U Isabella Aljam Antoine will look to improve on her fourth-place position into medal contention in her second session.
Team BC’s 16U Male soccer team got the momentum going this morning, winning their first match 11-1 against Team North West Territories. Passing plays between Diego Gomez and Cyler Point helped the 19U Male team defeat Team Ontario with a final score of 3-0.
The 16U Female team built momentum throughout the game, winning against Team New York 6-0. Shianne Lowka scored two of the six goals with great assists from her teammates. The 19U Female Team won 2-0 in their first match against Team Edmonton. Amber Charlie lead the charge with the first goal of the game.
An outstanding first day for all of Team BC’s basketball teams, winning 8 out of 9 round robin games. Duane Jackson’s 19U females, took a 69-14 win over the Eastern Door and the North this afternoon. Duane says his team “showed real sportsmanship, real representatives of their Nations, a truly classy group.” An incredible start to what’s sure to be an epic week of basketball.
Jarin Davison misses out on the medal round after a close game against Team Saskatchewan. Jarin will play tomorrow with Courtney Anderson in mixed doubles.
Kyler Wilson is on the way to the quarter finals tomorrow after a strong finish in his singles match. Head Coach, Charles Neufeldt is proud of his players, noting “I am very happy with the way that the team carried themselves today. Our athletes excelled in sportsmanship.”
Competition continues tomorrow for 11 of Team BC’s 13 sports.
For more information about Team BC’s NAIG program visit http://isparc.ca/performance-sport/team-bc/north-american-indigenous-games/.
For the most recent schedules, results and live broadcasting information, please visit http://naig2017.to.
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Team BC Background
The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is responsible for managing the Team BC Programs for the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) and the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC). Through the support and oversight of its Team BC Work Group and Provincial Sport Committees, I·SPARC has established a comprehensive Team BC program that includes provincial development programs and selection processes for athletes and coaches that will compete on behalf of British Columbia in national and international competitions. For the 2017 NAIG, over 500 Indigenous athletes and coaches have been selected to represent British Columbia in the following 13 sports: 3D Archery, Athletics (Track & Field, Cross-Country), Badminton, Basketball, Canoe/Kayak, Golf, Lacrosse (Box), Rifle Shooting, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Volleyball, Wrestling.
About the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council
I·SPARC is a consortium of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, the First Nations Health Authority, and Métis Nation BC. As the stewards of BC’s Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Strategy, I·SPARC works with First Nations, Métis Chartered Communities, Friendship Centres, schools and other sport and physical activity stakeholders to deliver community-based programs designed to promote active lifestyles and support the desire for transformative change in the health and well-being of Indigenous communities, families and individuals across B.C. For more information, please visit: www.isparc.ca.
Media contact:
Justine Johnson
Team BC Communications Manager
jjohnson@isparc.ca
778.899.3234
www.isparc.ca
