FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2017
TEAM BC’S BADMINTON, BASKETBALL AND SOCCER WIN GOLD!
Athletics, Swimming, Lacrosse and Softball Bring in 45 Medals, Bringing Team BC’s Total to 181
Toronto, ON – Team BC’s badminton team earned two gold medals in their final matches, a first in Team BC history. Team BC has not earned a gold medal in badminton since the 2008 NAIG. Jarin Davison and Kyler Wilson beat Team Saskatchewan in the third set, winning a gold medal in the 19U male doubles division. Jarin also competed with Courtney Anderson in the 19U mixed doubles category, winning another gold medal against Team Saskatchewan. “It has been a truly incredible experience to be able to take home a gold medal this year,” said Courtney. “At the 2014 NAIG I won two bronze medals and this year I was hoping to do better and I was successful in doing so. I am very proud of myself and my partner to have been able to accomplish this!”
The 16U male basketball team finished their tournament undefeated, adding another gold to Team BC‘s medal count! The boys came out on top 82 – 77 in the semifinal against Team Eastern Door and the North, advancing them into the gold medal game against Team Wisconsin. Head Coach David Lafontaine remarked, “This is the best game we played as a team, we peaked at the exact right time – we’re very proud of these boys.” Shooting guard Qwammi Frank, who scored 29 points tonight, including five 3-pointers, says, “I love playing with these guys and am very proud of winning the gold medal.”
Team BC’s 19U male basketball team played for the bronze medal tonight against Team New York and battled to the final minute, with Team New York finishing on top 98 – 90.
The 19U Team BC male soccer team played an intense championship game, winning in double overtime against Team Saskatchewan with a final score of 1 – 0. BC played an impressive week of competitions going into today’s final, including their 2 – 1 win against Team Manitoba that advanced them to the gold medal game.
Team BC’S 16U male soccer team defeated Team Saskatchewan for the gold medal with a final score of 1 – 0. BC scored the first and only goal of the game and played very strong defensively to shut Saskatchewan out and win the gold medal. The team was a class act after the game and gathered together for a quick cheer and positive words with the opposing team.
The 19U and 16U female soccer teams both advance to medal matches tomorrow. The 19U female soccer team defeated Team Saskatchewan in shoot outs and will play tomorrow at 12:00 pm (EST) for the gold medal. The 16U female soccer team will also play for a gold medal tomorrow after shutting out Team North West Territories 3 – 0.
Track and Field events ended with a total of nine medals added to Team BC’s medal count. “Team BC had an excellent day,” said Athletics Head Coach, Jack Miller. “We had some great performances with many personal bests.” There were many highlights during the week, including sisters Kaia, Mateya and Marquesis Haintz winning a collective total of 11 medals!
Team BC had a great showing in the field events. Robert Warren started the day off with a silver medal in the 16U shot put throwing 11.36m. Jaden Knight had a gold medal performance in javelin with many stellar throws. Kiara Mack jumped a personal best of 1.44m to win a silver medal in the 16U female high jump.
Marquesis Haintz lead the team’s performance on the track, earning a medal in every event that she competed in, for a total of six medals. The team won a total of 29 medals in their very successful week of athletics events. “We had many athletes who realized their potential and are going to pursue athletics in the future,” said Athletics Team Manager, Katrina Haintz. “They have a new dream.”
Team BC’s swim team collected 33 medals in their last day of competition and 10 out of 23 swimmers earned personals bests! “Our swimmers lived in the moment, gave their best effort and tapped into their emotional strength to come up with some excellent racing” said Head Coach, Leanne Sirup. Medalists from the last day of competition include Jadyn Johnston, Kade Schwarz, Billy Swyers, Warren Barton, Claire Brown and Hunter Stewardson.
Team BC had an exciting day at the pool, beginning with the 4X50 medley relay where four out of Team BC’s five relay teams medaled. There were many stellar performances including Jamie Hutton’s anchor leg in the 19U female relay where she swam away from the competition with a phenomenal freestyle performance that earned the team a bronze medal. Billy Swyers and Kade Schwarz both earned medals in the 50m breaststroke and the 100m breaststroke.
Team BC’s 19U female lacrosse team won against Team Saskatchewan, making NAIG history as the first female team to win a bronze medal at the Games. The team kept the pressure on Saskatchewan the entire game, winning the match 10-3. “The team came out and played with full hearts and big smiles,” said Head Coach Savanna Smith. “Our goal was to teach the players and grow their abilities as leaders. All the staff involved in their journey couldn’t be prouder of the team’s accomplishment.”
The 19U male lacrosse team played their final game against Team EDN, earning a bronze medal for Team BC. The team fought hard and won the game 9 – 3. “Our team played well on both ends of the floor,” said Head Coach, Sam Seward. “Our goalie, Darian Claxton, had a great game and it feels good to finish the Games with a bronze medal.”
The 16U female softball team won a tight game 2 – 0 against Team Wisconsin to earn a bronze medal for Team BC. The team was very strong defensively and made big plays when Wisconsin tried to get runners on base. “I couldn’t be prouder of this team,” said Head Coach, Joni Frei. “It was a successful week full of growth and learning both inside and beyond the white lines. We look forward to seeing big things from these girls in the future.”
The 16U male softball team finished fifth after a 11 – 8 win against Team EDN. The team played well after facing challenges earlier in the week. Team BC 19U female softball team played a close bronze medal game against Team Wisconsin, falling short of the victory with a 2 – 4 final score. The 19U male softball team suffered a tough loss against Team Saskatchewan, losing out on a bronze medal.
Returning with their full line-up after yesterday’s injuries, our 19U male volleyball team competed in two games today, starting against Team Northwest Territories. Down in the first set, the boys dug deep for a win in the second, and ultimately took home the win 15 – 11 in the third. Player Osiris Pete says, “I’m proud of what the team’s accomplished given we’ve only had a couple practices together.”
The 19U female volleyball team faced off against Team Saskatchewan in the semifinals today, in a back-and-forth battle where Team Saskatchewan ultimately came out on top in the third set 15 – 8. The 19U girls will compete for a bronze medal tomorrow. The 16U female team beat Team Saskatchewan in two sets and will compete for gold tomorrow.
Team BC’s volleyball and soccer teams will complete tomorrow in their final matches.
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
