NANAIMO — A plane carrying athletes to and from a provincial competition in B.C.’s north was considerably heavier on its return to the Harbour City.
Thirty-six athletes and 13 staff from the Nanaimo area were among hundreds of Island athletes and more from across the province competing at the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George, which wrapped Sunday, July 13.
Of the athletes from Nanaimo, swimmer Lornita Phillips came home with the most extra baggage, winning six gold medals in the pool in 25 metre and 50 metre events.
Magnus Batara also claimed multiple medals in the pool with two gold, including in the 800 metre freestyle, and three silver medals.
The track was also another gold mine for Nanaimo athletes, who took home a total of 27 gold medals, 20 silver and 32 bronze.
Arianna Phillips took out the pentathlon, while Calvin Phillips (200 metre), Natasha Phillips (100 metre, 200 metre), Noel Anderson (shot put), Sash Barbour (high jump, mini javelin) all topped the podium.
In rhythmic gymnastics, Christina Milner won gold in the rope, ribbon and all-round competitions, while Dylaan McEwan took out the mixed ball/rope and clubs disciplines and earned two silver and a bronze in other disciplines.
Chris Crocker, Dennis McLead and Tyler Battie also won team gold in 10-pin bowling, with Battle and Crocker also winning the doubles event.
Finally, Zachary Murphy won gold in powerlifting in the junior 74 kilogram weight class and Kyle Gallia was part of a gold medal-winning softball team.
A full list of Nanaimo-based winners is available here:
- 10 Pin Bowling
- Chris Crocker – Gold Doubles, Gold Team, Silver Men’s Singles
- Crystal Thompson – Bronze Women’s Singles, Bronze Doubles
- Dennis McLead – Gold Team, Bronze Men’s Singles
- Tyler Battie – Gold Team, Gold Doubles, Silver Men’s Singles
- Athletics (Track & Field)
- Arianna Phillips – Gold Pentathalon
- Calvin Phillips – Gold 200 metre, Bronze Mini Javelin
- Charla Joiner – Silver 5,000 metre, Silver Standing Long Jump, Bronze 3,000 metre
- Chase Kushniryk – Bronze 200 metre
- Kent Smith – Bronze 10,000 metre, Bronze 5,000 metre, Bronze 3,000 metre
- Miranda Orth – Silver Shot Put, Silver Mini Javelin, Silver 3,000 metre, Silver 1,500 metre
- Natasha Phillips – Gold 100 metre, Gold 200 metre, Silver Mini Javelin, Silver Shot Put, Silver Long Jump
- Noel Anderson – Gold Shot Put, Bronze Long Jump, Bronze 200 metre
- Ron Greenhorn – Silver 800 metre, Silver 1,500 metre, Bronze Mini Javelin
- Sash Barbour – Gold High Jump, Gold Mini Javelin, Silver Shot Put, Bronze Long Jump
- Taylor McGee – Bronze Shot Put, Bronze Long Jump, Bronze Mini Javelin
- Golf
- Jason Mills – 6th Place
- Power Lifting
- Zachary Murphy – Gold Junior 74 kilogram weight class
- Rhythmic Gymnastics
- Christina Milner – Gold Rope, Gold Ribbon, Bronze Mixed Hoop/Clubs, Gold All Around
- Dylaan McEwan – Gold Mixed Ball/Rope, Gold Clubs, Silver Hoop, Silver Ribbon, Bronze All Around
- Melinda Mills – Silver Mixed Ball/Rope, Bronze Hoop, Bronze All Around Results
- Olivia Mills – 4th Ball, 4th Missed Hoop/Clubs, 5th Rope, 5th Ribbon, 6th All Around
- Soccer
- Bronze – Alex Rogers, Alexander Williams, Browenn Rogers, Deborah Broadley, James Chapman, Jason Kemp, Julie Black, Matthew Paetkau, Mosey Cerminara, Sebastian Friesen-Allen, Simon Phipps, Tristan Dunn
- Softball
- Kyle Gallia – Gold
- Swimming
- Lornita Phillips – Gold 25 metre Freestyle, Gold 25 metre Backstroke, Gold 25 metre Breaststroke, Gold 25 metre Butterfly, Gold 50 metre Freestyle, Gold 50 metre Backstroke
- Magnus Batara – Gold 50 metre Breaststroke, Gold 800 metre Freestyle, Silver 100 metre Breaststroke, Silver 200 metre Breaststroke, Silver 200 metre Individual Medley
- Coaches/Mission Staff
- Alandra Francois, Joshua Fitzpatrick, Kendra Parent, Dayan Batara, Doris Montgomery, Janet Louise Williams, Michele Battie, Angela Behn, Jacky Sheng, Kelli McDougal, Stephanie Martyn, Travis Jorgensen, David Forrestor
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