It was an impressive first showing for some young racquetball players who were making their first appearance on the national stage.
Eleven-year-old Riley Sommerville won the gold medal in the girls 12 and under division singles competition as well as teaming up with Kelowna’s Malaya Galigan to take silver in the 14 and under doubles division.
Sommerville was one of five Langley athletes competing at the 2016 Canadian junior national racquetball championships.
The multi-day event ran April 20 to 23 at the Global Fitness & Racquet Centre in Kelowna.
“It was a really big success and a good experience for the kids to go and see all the competitors from across Canada,” said Eric Urteaga, who coaches the kids along with Jason Scott.
“It was a great experience.”
Sommerville’s dual medals were among the handful won by Langley athletes at the competition.
Seven-year-old Mateo Urteaga won silver in the eight and under multibounce division while Iris Scott, 8, was third. Scott also received a gold medal as the highest placed girl in the division.
And Julian Urteaga, five, was third in the eight and under multibounce division.
Holt Scott, 6, also competed in the eight and under multibounce division.
The Langley athletes were part of Team B.C. for the event.
The five train out of Newlands Fitness Centre and the event wrapped up the racquetball season.
The season runs September to April and the club has 20 players, ranging in age from as young as five years old to age 16.
This is the third year the club has operated out of Newlands.
To learn more, email langleyjuniorracquetball@hotmail.com or visit the Langley Junior Racquetball Club Facebook page.