Team BC take 280 medals as 2015 Western Canada Summer Games close

After 10 days of competition at the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games in Fort McMurray, Alta. BC wrapped up competition Sunday with a medal total of 134 gold, 86 silver, 61 bronze and a grand total of 280 medals won.   

After a 5-1 record in round-robin, BC’s badminton team avenged their one loss to Alberta when it mattered most. BC came out on top 6-2 after winning two women’s singles, one men’s single and a women’s and men’s double. With the win BC takes gold in badminton in what is likely head coach Abdul Shaikh’s final games.

“I feel like crying because it’s my last games and I know they did this for me,” added long, long-time coach Shaikh who burst into tears following the gold-medal victory.

The BC triathlon crew cleaned up today topping the podium in the mixed relay sprint. Michael Milic (Delta) anchored the team to gold in an incredible come-back that included inspirational efforts from team mates Desirae Ridenour (Cowichan Bay), Brennen Smith (Victoria) and Hannah Henry (Victoria). Triathlon finished the week with two gold, two silver and one bronze medal.

BC’s women’s volleyball impressed today at Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre after taking Alberta in three sets (25-22, 25-19, 25-17) to bring home gold. The men’s volleyball team battled Alberta and finished with silver in three sets (25-25, 25-26, 25-27).

Following yesterday’s men’s and women’s gold-medal team victory, BC capped off their three rounds with a top finish from women’s golfer Hannah Lee (Surrey) for individual gold. Lee was outstanding all week with a three-round score of 212, five strokes ahead of team mate and silver medalist Tiffany Kong (Vancouver) who shot 72 today to finish with a score of 217.  The podium sweep was completed by Alisha Lau (Richmond) who earned bronze with a 73 today and a three-round score of 224. On the men’s side, first place finisher A.J. Ewart (Coquitlam) shot a 72 today to end up with 217 total. His teammate Tristan Mandur (Mill Bay) shared the podium in second place, and teammates Khan Lee (Surrey) and Keenan Flemming (Sechelt) came fifth and ninth respectively.  The men would bring home gold and silver medals for the individual competitions.

Coming off the heels of yesterday’s four gold medals on the water, Team BC rowing added a gold in the men’s single by Sean van Gessel (Victoria) and gold in the men’s double, by athletes Patty Keane (Victoria) and Miles Tickner (Victoria). The BC men’s four added another gold after crossing in 2:31.45, while the men’s pair secured a fourth gold on the day winning in 2:49.54. The women’s double of Antonia Frappell (Hong Kong) and Emma Gribbon (Victoria) sealed silver for BC in a time of 3:01.29. The women’s quad also brought in silver finishing in 2:46.65 behind Saskatchewan (2:45.83).

The men’s baseball team came out swinging at Shell Place, taking an early lead 5 – 2 in the second inning.  Fynn Chester (Victoria) would bring the heat on the mound in the third inning, holding
Saskatchewan to a three run total.  BC would go on to take the gold medal in five innings with a score of 7 – 3.

At the Syncrude Athletic Centre in Timberlea, Emily Manhao (Surrey), a last minute substitution hit a double in the second inning to bring BC to 8-0 lead. Team BC came out on top with gold medal in ladies softball, beating Alberta 11- 0.  

On the pitch, the women’s soccer team took gold at the Syncrude Athletic Centre in Timberlea, beating Manitoba 3 – 1.  The men were tied throughout regulation play with Alberta, and headed into overtime 0-0.  It was a heartbreaking penalty shot in the second overtime that would give Alberta the win and BC the silver medal.

Due to low water temperatures at Anzac, the 5 km open water swim was moved to the pool at Macdonald Island Park.  The venue would prove golden for BC swimmers, who would finish with gold and silver in both the men’s and women’s events after swimming.

Team BC has had ten fantastic days in the Wood Buffalo Region, remaining atop the medal standings for the duration of competition. Jesse Shade, a special olympics swimmer from Campbell River, was selected as the Team BC Flag Bearer and proudly led the team into the Closing Ceremony where BC was awarded the Western Canada Summer Games trophy.  This trophy is awarded to the team with the highest aggregate points, and Team BC has won the trophy at every Games since the inception of the Western Canada Summer Games in 1975.  There were medals of every colour, personal bests and new friendships made.  The venues were top notch, the volunteers passionate about their community, and the memories will last a lifetime.