A local cross-country skier is returning to the island with a silver medal from the B.C. Winter Games.
Amelia Wells, along with her teammates from the Vancouver Island-Central Coast Zone 6, placed second in the 4x2 kilometre mixed relay event this past weekend in Penticton. The team consisted of Wells, Campbell River’s Emmy Stapff, Comox’s Stephen Lamon and Courtenay’s Aiden Noble.
In addition, the 13-year-old Wells, who was the only cross-country skier from southern Vancouver Island to qualify for the B.C. Winter Games, nearly medalled in the Sprint Heats on Saturday, coming fourth out of 16 in the final standings.
The four-day event drew 1,738 athletes, coaches and officials, and was put on by more than 1,800 volunteers.
Wells is a member of the Strathcona Nordic Ski Club, which took home nine out of 24 medals at the Games. This weekend, the club is headed to the 2016 Teck B.C. Championships in Whistler, March 4 to 6.
Overall, Saanich athletes had an impressive showing at the B.C. Winter Games in Penticton, collecting medals in a several of events.
Speed skater Riley Pickrell collected three medals, including a gold in the 2,000m U14 boys points race and bronze medals in the 400m and the super 1,500m U14 boys final.
Archer Matthew Lange took first in the boys two-day aggregate recurve and second in the boys match play recurve.
In Judo, Max Grant took gold in the under-73 kg men’s competition while Tiffany Coolican took silver in the under-57 kg women’s competition.
Saanich’s Michaela Brennan – along with teammates Katherine Evans, Lily Williams and Elisabeth Foss – placed second in the national stream team groups of four to five rhythmic gymnastics competition.
To report a Saanich athlete success story from the B.C. Winter Games, email editor@saanichnews.com.