It was a week to remember for a few athletes and coaches from UBCO competing in this year’s North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Halifax.
UBCO softball made an impact on Team BC as Michelle Webster, UBCO softball head coach, was Team BC’s chef de mission, overseeing 160 athletes.
Assistant coach Jocelyn Cater was in a coaching role with Team BC softball and Cheyenne Simicak was playing.
Team BC went 3-1 in pool play and narrowly squeezed by Saskatchewan in the quarterfinals for a spot in the semifinals.
It was a close 6-4 loss against Manitoba that set BC up for a third-place game against Ontario, but the final day of competition was rained out. BC and Ontario ended up sharing the bronze medal.
Playing for Team BC in basketball was incoming recruit Tennyson McCarthy.
McCarthy helped BC to the semifinals where they lost 65-58 against Ontario. Team BC then lost to Minnesota in the bronze medal game 73-54.
In total there were 23 teams from Canada and the United States competing in 16 different sports, including three traditional Indigenous sports such as 3d archery, canoe / kayak and box lacrosse.
The 2027 North American Indigenous games will be held in Calgary.
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