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Medals and camaraderie a nice mix at B.C. 55+ Games

Chemainus Valley athletes enjoy the experience in Kimberley and Cranbrook
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Crofton’s Susan Harrison with her B.C. 55+ Games golf silver medal. (Photo submitted)

A small group of athletes from the Chemainus Valley attained big-time results during the B.C. 55+ Games, co-hosted by Kimberley and Cranbrook.

Five participants from the area were on the Zone 1 Vancouver Island South team that came fifth in the standings with 147 medals. Zone 3 Fraser Valley athletes captured 304 medals to lead the pack.

Fewer people from the Island zone made the long trek, but the Hendries - Nola and Tim - of Chemainus are always there to compete in track and field events.

“We had a lot of fun, but the weather was wet and cold for much of the time,” noted Nola Hendrie. “It was nice to see our track friends from other years.”

Nola won a half dozen bronze medals in the 60-64 women’s age division. She placed third in discus (14.14 metres), shot put, 200 metres (41.77 seconds), long jump (2.55 metres), triple jump and throws pentathlon.

Nola also earned a fourth in the 100 metres (19.78 seconds) and a fifth in hammer (16.47). Her team was also disqualified in the relay when someone didn’t pass the baton in the zone, but a rerun with the men was allowed just for fun.

Tim Hendrie claimed a gold medal in men’s 65-69-year-old high jump (0.95 metres) and got silver in the 400 metres (1:35.97).

He just missed the medals in the pentathlon with a fourth place. Despite that disappointment of coming so close, “he was very happy with his 1,500 metre run,” Nola indicated.

Tim also collected fourths for the shot put (4.55 metres) and 800 metres (3:48.23), with a fifth in the discus (12.1 metres).

Geri Elchuk of Chemainus entered golf competition and picked up a silver medal for second place in the 70-74-year-old ladies’ Div. A low net with a 159.

Susan Harrison of Crofton earned the silver medal in women’s 65-69 golf for Div. A 0-24.3 Index with a low net 156.

“This was my second Games with a repeat overall experience of a great mix of camaraderie and competitive spirit - not unlike what BC Summer Games does for youth,” noted Harrison. “Amazing athletes competing in sports like dragon boat racing, ice hockey and cycling and in gentler pursuits still requiring skill - cribbage, bocce and whist.

“Golf, like equestrian is as much a lifestyle choice as a sport evidenced by a strong community of volunteers and participants. Lots of couples travel to smaller B.C. communities that often host these Games. Sometimes both are competing, sometimes one with a supporter.”

Harrison belongs to Duncan Meadows Golf Club and was one of four members who qualified to represent Zone 1. One of the others also brought back a medal.

Harrison’s husband Todd Lefebure was the only other Crofton resident in the Games competition, also in golf. He finished just outside the medals for the 60-64 age division in A Flight low net.

The 55+ Games next September will be in Kelowna.

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Nola Hendrie, right, getting the bronze medal for the discus at the 55+ Games. (Photo submitted)
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Tim Hendrie basks in the glory of a high jump gold medal in the B.C. 55+ Games. (Photo submitted)
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Tim Hendrie going for gold in the high jump. (Photo submitted)
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Nola Hendrie doing the shot put for another bronze medal. (Photo submitted)
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Chemainus’ Nola Hendrie, left, getting the bronze medal for the throws pentathlon. (Photo submitted)
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Tim Hendrie of Chemainus running the 1,500 metres as part of the pentathlon. (Photo submitted)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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