Eleven Campbell River athletes and five coaches have returned from the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, AB.
The group joined 1,700 other athletes, coaches and mission staff from across Canada competing from Aug. 11 to Aug. 15.
Campbell River athletes who attended, their respective sports and their medal counts are as follows:
- Ashley Adie – athletics – 3 bronze
- Maire Anderson – women’s soccer – 1 silver
- Victor Goslin – 10-pin bowling – 2 gold, 2 silver
- Jo-Dee Ingram – bocce
- Bryan Jorgensen – bocce
- Patrik Lowe – bocce – 1 gold
- Bree Lutzer – rhythmic gymnastics – 2 gold, 1 bronze
- Callum McLagan – powerlifting – 1 gold, 3 silver
- Hazen Meade – athletics – 1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze
- Hannah Taylor – rhythmic gymnastics – 1 gold, 2 bronze
- Ian Zipser – golf – 1 silver
According to a news release from Special Olympics B.C., this was Bree Lutzer’s first time doing gymnastics at a nationals tournament.
“It was exciting to do my routines in front of everyone and very exciting to receive medals,” said Lutzer. “I hope to return to nationals someday. It was a great experience.”
The release noted Maire Anderson, a member of an all-women’s team, also made her nationals debut.
“We played against the Pan-Canadian team for the gold medal. They were undefeated and the final score was 3-0, so we held them off,” said Anderson. “I am so grateful I had the opportunity to come here and play soccer, the sport I love. It’s been great, I wouldn’t change it!”
10-pin bowler Victor Goslin was at nationals for the first time as well.
“It’s been a great week, with good competition,” said Goslin, stating he encourages anyone thinking of joining Special Olympics to give it a try.
The release said that athletes that competed at the games may be selected to represent Canada at the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile.
“We are so proud of our Campbell River athletes and coaches,” said local coordinator Maureen Hunter. “They have been training hard to prepare for the national games and we celebrate their accomplishments at the games and the excellent way that they represented Campbell River.”
