Teen athletes compete in Summer Games

Times Reporter 

 

Eighteen athletes in and around Strathmore represented Zone 2 for various sports during the Alberta Summer Games July 24-27. The Strathmore Times spoke to four of them to find out about their experiences with their individual sports. 

Kaylin Larson, 13, and Kendal Russell, 14, played on the basketball team.  

“My older sister went (before) and I watched her but it was my first time playing,” said Larson.

“It was really fun, it was different. I have never done anything like that before so it was fun.”

Russell wasn’t sure at first when she tried out if she would make the team; she was nervous and had to wait anxiously for an hour to find out she had indeed made the cut. 

“I kept thinking ‘out of all these girls, only 12 are picked and was I going to be one of them.’ I knew I had given my all at tryouts but still thought I might not get picked and had to be prepared for this response,” said Russell.

“Then I heard my name called, everyone watching as I left the room to meet the coach. The coach asked me how I thought I did, I said ‘I played hard and thought I did good.’ He agreed and said ‘that’s why you’re on the team.’ I was so excited when I found out I was on the team, it was such an awesome feeling of accomplishment.

“No words even describe how much fun I had. I got to spend the weekend with amazing people and teammates. The crowds were something I had never experienced in my basketball career before and it was crazy how loud the gym could be at times. It was crazy to see how many athletes there where. Everyone was so good; it was a whole new level of competition. I’m sad we weren’t able to finish in the medals but the games alone were an experience of a lifetime.” 

Larson’s sentiments about the experience were similar to Russell’s. The amount of people watching and cheering was unlike anything she had witnessed before.

The best parts of the games for both girls were being able to play basketball at an elite level for their ages, and meeting so many other people with shared interests.   

“I made lots of new friends and the basketball was really good, it was at a higher level,” said Larson.

“I loved the basketball of course, spending time with my teammates and just having fun. Everything about the games was a good time. I got to know some very amazing people who I would have never met if had I not tried out for the team. I look forward to trying out for Team Alberta next year,” said Russell. 

Larson also plays ringette, softball, and volleyball and competes in cross-country. Russell plays on Holy Cross Collegiate’s sports teams and also plays for the Chestermere community basketball and Shooting Stars Club Spring Ball. 

Steven Soers, 15, was a part of a bronze medal winning Zone 2 baseball team. This was his first time at the event. 

“It was good, pretty tough competition. I (was) excited I was picked for the Games,” said Soers. 

The Holy Cross Collegiate teen participates in almost all of the school sports, and said for the Summer Games he would definitely go back again if he could because it was fun. 

Rayanne Laycock, 12, took part in the triathlon portion of the Summer Games. Her relay team won the bronze medal – there wasn’t an individual race in her category. 

“One thing I liked about the games was meeting so many different kids from all over Alberta that enjoy triathlon as much as I do. I wasn’t crazy about sleeping on a classroom floor, but it was part of the whole experience so in the end that was ok too,” said Laycock. 

She was excited to start the race after finding out she had qualified in June. Her favourite part of triathlon is the running part, because if she loses time on the bike she can usually catch up with the run.

Her thoughts on the experience, “I will always remember the Summer Games because I had an amazing coach and teammates, and because even aside from the racing, I had so many great experiences along the way.”

Laycock also swims with the Strathmore Silver Sharks, runs cross country and track, and played basketball last year.

All of the competitors agreed that it was an experience they will never forget, and one that they are all glad they had the opportunity to participate in.