Dezaray Hawes skipped her rink to a gold medal in girls' curling to lead a 26-athlete Coquitlam contingent at the 5th annual International Children's (12-15) Winter Games last week in Kelowna.
Coquitlam placed 10th among 40 competing cities, including those from Australia, Germany, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia, South Korea, Scotland and the U.S.
Members of the Hawes team included third Megan Daniels, second Jaymee Lynn and lead Angelique Miller.
Almost repeating the feat was the Coquitlam boys' side skipped by Kyle Habkirk, whose rink earned the silver medal. Team members included third Nicolas DiMarco, second Nicholas Umbach and lead Kento Sato.
In girls' figure skating, Coquitlam's Larkyn Austman edged out teammate Larrisa Horobec for the bronze.
"It really opened their eyes to what is out there and it was obvious that their skills are on par with the international competition," said Coquitlam Skating Club president Kim Horobec.
Also taking part was the Coquitlam Chiefs A2 Bantam hockey unit, which toiled well against squads from Austria, Germany and Ontario. The Chiefs also engaged in a jersey swap with the German team.
