A baker’s dozen of local athletes cooked up a tasty batch of medal-winning performances during the recent 55+ BC Games, held in North Vancouver.
The Zone 2 representatives from North Vancouver Island sported new uniforms and had plenty of chances to show them off on the podium after competing in sports ranging from track & field to badminton, soccer, hockey and more.
Mark Stewart set a pair of 55+ Games records in winning the 400-metre dash, in 1:08.9, and the 800 metres, in 2:41.7.
Cindy Simpson swept the gold medals in ladies singles, ladies doubles and mixed doubles in the 70-74 ladies age group.
And teammates Bob Rutland of Tahsis and Lyle Dennison helped the Nanaimo Old Buoys to silver the men’s 70+ hockey.
Other golds medals went to June Grain, Mike Hrybko and Jill Little.
The games were the first under the new 55+ name. Formerly, they were known at the BC Seniors Games.
Local medal-winners include:
TRACK & FIELD
Mark Stewart, 70-74 men: Gold, 400 metres (1:08.9 — 55+ Games record; gold, 800 metres (2:41.7 — 55+ Games record).
June Grain, 70-74 ladies: Gold, 5,000-metre power walk.
Ron Kerr, 60-64 men: Silver, javelin.
BADMINTON
Ross Campbell, 55-59 men: Silver, men’s doubles.
Mike Hrybko, 70-74 men: Gold, mixed doubles; bronze, men’s singles.
Roy Palmer, 70-74 men: Bronze,
men’s rec doubles; bronze, mixed doubles.
Jill Little, 55-59 ladies: Gold, rec singles.
Joanne Hood-Smith, 60-64 ladies: Silver, ladies singles.
Cindy Simpson, 70-74 ladies: Gold, ladies singles; gold, mixed doubles; gold, ladies doubles.
Connie Vincent, 80-84 ladies: Silver, women’s doubles.
SOCCER
Bob Jacques, 60+ men: Bronze, men’s soccer.
HOCKEY
Lyle Dennison, 70+ men: Silver, men’s hockey.
Bob Rutland, 70+ men: Silver, men’s hockey.