Inuit and Dene games medal hopefuls emerge

A portrait of who could lead Team Yukon at the 2010 Arctic Winter Games in Grande Prairie began to emerge at this weekend’s Yukon Championships for Inuit and Dene Games.

A portrait of who could lead Team Yukon at the 2010 Arctic Winter Games in Grande Prairie began to emerge at this weekend’s Yukon Championships for Inuit and Dene Games.

The championships were held at the Yukon College and Elijah Smith School, with Inuit or Arctic games on Saturday and Dene games on Sunday, hosted by the Yukon Aboriginal Sports Circle.

YASC executive director Greg Edgelow says attendance was an improvement from a similar event held last February.

“It went much better than was anticipated last February,” said Edgelow.

Normally, turn out is low, Edgelow says, but this weekend surpassed expectations.

“Based on Yukon standards, the turnout especially on Sunday was good,” he said.

Not only was turnout better than expected, the number of great athletes who came out to compete was igh.

“There was some really good competitors,” said Edgelow.

Saturday saw a group of tough competitors and different athletes who came out to try their hand at Inuit games.

The Whitehorse Pollarette’s Gymnastics Club had many of their girls participate, with a few taking the lead.

Edgelow says gymnast Anna Rivard was extremely successful and could be a major contender at the Arctic Winter Games if she passes final trials in January.

“Anna Rivard was a very strong competitor,” said Edgelow. “She’ll be one of our best shots for a gold medal.”

Edgelow says the women could take home medals in the Inuit games this March, when they head to the Arctic Winter Games.

As for the men, Edgelow says they stood out most in the Dene events.

Among them was Mike Evans, who medaled several times this weekend.

Edgelow says he could be the best shot the Yukon has to medal in the Dene events.

The Yukon Championships are the first step to qualify for the Arctic Winter Games. The next round will take place on the third weekend in January.

Edgelow hopes that someday the Yukon will be able to turn out a team that will challenge what he sees as the top team in the arctic games.

“Right now I think that Northwest Territories is the team to beat,” he said.

For those who were unable to attend over the weekend, there is still a chance to get involved by participating in the final qualifying rounds in January.

Edgelow says that winning at the Arctic Winter Games is only one goal the YASC is hoping to reach by continuing Inuit and Dene games.

“It’s about keeping true to tradition,” he said. “We never want to forget that.”

Yukon Championships for Inuit and Dene Games

Inuit games results

Saturday, Nov. 7

Kneel Jump

Junior female

1. Anna Rivard ( 33 and 1/16”)

2. Corey Baxter (31 and 5/8”)

3. Foreste Martin ( 29”)

Junior male

1. Tyler Wynnyk (44 and 7/8”)

2. Jordan Howse (43 and 7/8”)

3. Dustin Wilkinson (16.5”)

Open male

1. Myles Nakoyak (38 and 7/8”)

2. Devon Armstrong (37 and 3/16”)
– – –

Two Foot High Kick

Junior female

1. Anna Rivard (5’2”)

2. Corey Baxter (5’)

3. Kelcie Henney (4’6”)

Junior male

1. Tyler Wynnyk (6’4”)

2. Jordan Howse (6’2”)

Open male

1. Myles Nakoyak (6’4”)
– – –

Triple Jump

Junior female

1. Anna Rivard (23’6.5”)

2. Corey Baxter (21’3 and 7/8”)

3. Foreste Martin (19’9 and 1/8’)

Junior male

1. Tyler Wynnyk (27’5 and 1/8”)

2. Dustin Wilkinson (20’1/4”)

Open male

1. Myles Nakoyak (26’2.5”)

2. Devon Armstrong (24’8.5”)
– – –

Alaskan High Kick

Junior female

1. Anna Rivard (4’10”)

2. Corey Baxter (4’8”)

Junior male

1. Tyler Wynnyk (5’8”)

2. Jordan Howes (5’6”)
– – –

Arm Pull

Junior female

1. Anna Rivard

2. Foreste Martin

3. Corey Baxter

Junior male

1. Jordan Howse

2. Tyler Wynnyk

3. Dustin Wilkinson
– – –

Head Pull

1. Devon Armsrong

2. Myles Nakoyak
– – –

One Foot High Kick

Junior female

1. Anna Rivard (6’)

2. Corey Baxter (5’8”)

3. Foreste Martin (5’4”)

Junior male

1. Tyler Wynnyk (7’3”)

2. Jordan Howse (6’10”)

Open male

Myles Nakoyak (7’2”)
– – –
Knuckle Hop

Devon Armstrong (36’9”)

Myles Nakoyak (11’2”)
– – –
All around athlete

Junior female

1. Anna Rivard

2. Corey Baxter

3. Foreste Martin

Junior male

1. Tyler Wynnyk

2. Jordan Howse

3. Dustin Wilkinson

Open male

1. Myles Nakoyak

2. Devon Armstrong
– – –
Dene games results

Sunday, Nov. 8

Stick Pull

Juvenile Female

1. Jasmine Bill

2. Talisha Germaine

3. Teah Dickson

Open Female

1. Kecia Kassi

2. Gail Anderson

3. Elisha Sembsmoen

Open Male

1. Mike Evans

2. Doronn Fox

3. Donald Tutin
– – –
Finger Pull

Juvenile Female

1. Teah Dickson

2. Dallyce Smith

3. Jasmine Bill

Open Female

1. Shaylea Sembsmoen

2. Miranda Charlie

3. Gail Anderson

Open Male

1. Mike Evans

2. Donald Tutin

3. John Acklack
– – –
Snow Snake

Juvenile Female

1. Dallyce Smith (72’3”)

2. Shelby Smarch (69’7”)

3. Trisha Boutilier (65’5”)

Open Female

1. Elisha Sembsmoen (106’4”)

2. Gail Anderson (71’8”)

3. Starr Drynock (65’2”)

Open Male

1. Doronn Fox (192’6”)

2. John Acklack (133’)

3. Mike Evans (128’5”)
– – –
Best all around

Juvenile Female

1. Dallyce Smith

2. Teah Dickson

3. Shelby Smarch

Open Female

1. Gail Anderson

2. Elisha Sembsmoen

3. Starr Drynock

Open Male

1. Mike Evans

2. Dorron Fox

3. John Acklack