Arctic Winter Games (AWG) Trials were held Thursday Jan. 18 to Saturday Jan. 20 in Inuvik. Snoeshoeing was held on the Mackenzie River, and Arctic sports such as Alaskan high kick, knuckle jump, and triple jump were held in the East Three Secondary gym.
Veronica McDonald (centre) gives her all at the Alaskan high kick trials in Inuvik.
Veronica McDonald, who came first overall in the open female category for Arctic sports, said she has been participating in AWG trials since she was eight years old. And now, nearly 14 years later, she鈥檚 still competing. She said while she enjoys the sport and always tries her hardest, she keeps coming back to AWG trials for the people.
鈥淚 feel like I did the best I could. I beat some of my records. I didn鈥檛 come here to break any personal bests, I just came to try. But really, I came here for the people,鈥� McDonald said. 鈥淚 really enjoy the people. I really enjoy everybody telling their stories over and over. They鈥檒l never stop telling them and I鈥檒l never stop laughing.鈥�
McDonald said the AWG trials community feels like family to her.
鈥淚鈥檝e known Gerry since I was eight, he鈥檚 seen me grow up and slowly progress. I honestly come here for them because they鈥檙e such great people and it鈥檚 always fun to be around them,鈥� McDonald said. 鈥淭hey have such great advice and basically everybody鈥檚 just family.鈥�
McDonald said she鈥檚 excited to go on to compete at the AWG in mid-March.
鈥淢y biggest excitement is to be competing in my hometown. I would not pass up the opportunity. I鈥檝e never competed there, so the fact that they鈥檙e in Fort Smith and Hay River is just so exciting to me. I鈥檓 so ecstatic to show everyone that this is what I grew up doing,鈥� McDonald said. 鈥淭his year the host committee called me to congratulate me and asked me to be the torch carrier into the opening ceremonies. So I鈥檓 excited to be able to hold the torch in my home community . . . it鈥檚 a big honour.鈥�
Gerry Kisoun, announcer for the AWG, said he is very proud of McDonald and all the other young athletes.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 really matter if the kids place in the medals or not. The games are about doing the best you can,鈥� Kisoun said. 鈥淲e always want to do everything we can to help the kids be the best that they can be in the games.鈥�
Athletes who qualified for Team NWT were announced at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20 in the East Three Secondary gym. The AWG will take place from March 18-24, 2018 in Hay River and Fort Smith.
