Athletes arrive for the Games of Alberta

By Sean Rooney July 20, 2018.

[email protected] @MHNRooney

The bus ride took all day but dozens of athletes from Medicine Hat and the area were all smiling Thursday in Grande Prairie.

A total of 53 Hat athletes will participate in a series of sports this weekend at the Alberta Summer Games, boarding a bus just past midnight and arriving in time for lunch.

"The bus is great, the ride is amazing not as long as I thought it would be," wrote softball player Makayla Clarke to the News while he was still on the road. "Everyone is playing card games and sleeps. "

Spotty mobile phone service prevented phone interviews with athletes, but they seemed rather optimistic even after a shower of rain at the opening ceremonies. they are part of a biannual game that will see the participation of nearly 3,000 athletes, coaches and staff members.

The Sunny South Zone, dominated by the Medicine Hat and Lethbridge contingents, will attempt to 39, improve in 2016

The Clarke team just won a bronze medal at the provincial championships and most of these players are part of the team in zone 1. They will therefore have a good chance to find the podium

me d e more for summer games by being able to compete and have some gaming experience, "wrote the 16-year-old.

But these games go far beyond mere competition.

spending time with my teammates at the games, "writes swimmer Kaitlin Skrove. "It's a great opportunity for me to meet new people, have fun and compete!"

After settling into their dorms, order of the day was the opening ceremonies on Thursday. Clarke's teammate, Mia Kelly, was one of the Zone 1 banner holders. The trials begin on Friday and last until Sunday, when the games end with closing ceremonies.

Football has the largest contingent of hatters, with 12 players in the boys' team and two on the girls.

of nine football players as well as coach Al Geib. Drake O 'Keefe of the Duchess also made the cut for football, among five athletes from centers near Medicine Hat who are part of the Zone 1 contingent.

The Athletics Team Zone 1 to Nine Hatters plus Sarah Pimblett of Dunmore, Ayla and Trinity of Redcliff Wikage and Gage Reinhart of Irvine. Elic Ayomanor, Zachary Campbell and Jacob Krueger are in a rare position to participate in their second game through age groups, although Ayomanor went as lacrosse player last time.

Skrove, one of six swimmers, knows that she will be eligible for the 2020 games and would like a comeback as her teammate Berlin Mastel, who won a bronze medal in 2016.

"I rode in a group, now I have another coach and I train harder, longer and longer" Skrove, 12, tells how his swimming aspirations grew

In basketball Bubu Benjamin is the only local representative, and he is already part of the Alberta team that will be going to the national championships later this summer.

Lacrosse players and Matthew Macpherson complete Hat's list.