Kelowna’s junior racquetball players taking on Canada’s best at nationals
Four members of the Kelowna Junior Racquetball Team qualified to represent B.C. at the national championships, which started Wednesday in Leamington, Ont.
At the recent BC Provincial Championships in Langley, these athletes placed in the top three in their respective age divisions: Malaya Galigan, JoeyCosmo Lee, Mitchell Bell and Spencer Bell. Their coach, Richard Gauthier, was chosen to serve as the team’s head coach.
Galigan, 14, is competing in the Girls 14U singles and 14U doubles divisions. Lee, 12, is competing in Boys 12U singles, Boys 14U singles and Boys 16U doubles. Mitchell Bell, 11, is in the Boys 12U and Boys 14U singles divisions, while his older brother, Spencer, 16, is in the Boys 16U singles and Boys 16U doubles with partner Joey Lee.
All four athletes have experience at the national level, having previously competed in several Canadian championships.
At last year’s event, Spencer Bell was chosen to represent Canada at the world championships in Mexico. He is hoping to earn a spot on this year’s national team.
Canada’s national junior team is made up of the top-two finishers in boys and girls 14, 16 and 18 year old age groups.
The Kelowna Junior Racquetball Team plays out of Global Fitness & Racquet Centre in Kelowna, where Gauthier serves as the Club Racquetball Professional.
Nationals wrap up on Saturday.