Gord Collings has a golden touch when it comes to coaching B.C. teams at multi-sport events.
Two years after guiding B.C. to first place at the Western Canada Games, the Tsawwassen resident has done it again - this time at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, QB.
After finishing fourth in the preliminary round with tight losses to Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba, British Columbia fought all the way back to defeat those three very same teams in the playoff round to win their third consecutive gold medal at the Canada Summer Games. B.C. avenged each loss taking out Ontario, before slipping past Quebec 2-1 in the semi-finals. The impressive run was completed with a 9-1 mercy rule win over Manitoba.
"I'm so proud of the girls for not giving up," said Collings. "They all demonstrated a great deal of tenacity throughout the tournament and I couldn't be prouder."
On the soccer field, Delta's Sessen Stevens, Alessia Azermadhi and Jasmine Mander helped B.C. cap a perfect 5-0 week with a 3-2 win over Quebec in the gold medal game.
In the pool, Ladner's Dalton Boon capped a tremendous week by winning his second gold medal, this time capturing the men's Para 50 free with a time of 26.94 which tied the S14 Canadian record.
Earlier, the Winskill Dolphins Swim Club member won the men's 100 free (58.67) and earned silver in the 200/400 free and 100 breast. He also added a bronze medal in the 100
back.
Tsawwassen's Jonathan Kraft, who began his career at Winskill and now trains with the UBC Dolphins, was a member of the bronze medal winning 4x100 free relay team.
Meanwhile, Courtenay Rekis enjoyed a strong showing in the pool - reaching the finals in the Special Olympics 100 free, 50 free and 100 back events. Rekis trains with the Winskill Otters and with the B.C. Special Olympics program.
/ Ladner's Dalton Boon won five medals in the pool at the Canada Summer Games including a pair of gold.;
