THE 55 PLUS GAMES
Area seniors back medals from Canada 55 plus games, Kamloops Over 2,700 people aged 55 to 93 – from as far away as Newfoundland & Labrador – descended upon Kamloops during the last week in August for the Canada 55 Plus Games. Several Foothills & Rocky View County athletes took part in these games.
Some 54 Area 2 (of Big Country Seniors Sports Society) athletes excelled and 26 “locals” brought home medals.
In Cycling, Clint Docken of Bragg Creek won 2 Golds in 65+, as did Bob Wahlund, Okotoks (75+).
In Track & Field, Springbank’s Brian Hill won 2 Golds (75+ Triple Jump & Javelin), & Silver (Long Jump); Ernie Robson of Okotoks won Silver medals in Shot Put and Discus; Paulette MacKinnon, High River won Silver in Javelin and Discus; Bronze in 50-metre dash.
Okotoks’ Edison Badminton Club had a great showing: Lana Pittman and Lara Wiebe (55+ Gold); Cheryl Griep and Toni Kerr (60+ Silver); Lara Wiebe and Mark Lebere (55+ Mixed Silver); Mark also teamed up with Bill Walker, Calgary, for Silver (Mens 55+).
In golf Turner Valley’s Nancy Neufeld won Bronze in 80+ gross, while Jeannie Whyte finished 4th in 65+ Callaway.
In Pickleball, Pat and Carol Breen, Okotoks won Silver (60+ Mixed); each joined forces with Brent and Ann Hood from Calgary to win Silver in the men’s and ladies’ doubles.
In Women’s Hockey, the 55+ “Calgary Bandits” won Silver; the roster included Lynda Cooke & Nancy Chudleigh, Cochrane, Lynda Gross, Bearspaw, & Sue Christison, Chestermere. The 60+ “Calgary Outlaws” finished 4th; local team members included Laura Milne, Okotoks, MaryLou O’Byrne, Springbank, Dawn Baker, Cochrane, Sue Cowitz, Canmore, & Dawn Cosman, Chestermere.
In Lawn Bowling, Nancy & Karl Gibbie won 2 bronzes, together in 70+ Mixed, and Karl with Doug Campbell in 70+Mens. High River’s Norma Dawson teamed with Karen Binns, Strathmore, won Silver in Ladies 55+ Lawn Bowling.
In ice Curling, Cochrane’s 55+ Mens team won Bronze: Gary Hawkes, Bob Jennings, Herb Smith, & Rick Makowichuk.
Out of the Medals …
In Bowling, the Cochrane Five placed 4th, Myrna Fink, Wendy Davis, Sharon Barnden, Laurie & Monique MacKenzie. In Lawn Bowling, 55+Mixed, Norma Dawson, High River, & Doug Campbell, Cochrane, finished 4th. In pool, Cochrane’s Bill Gibbons finished 4th.
The City of Kamloops was a terrific host, with 30 to 36 degree heat, sunshine, and an amazing group of volunteers.
Submitted by Big Country Seniors Sports Society, Norma Dawson, Director Area 8 (Foothills County), & Douglas Campbell, Director Area 7 (Rocky View County) & Area 9 (Canmore-Banff).
