Kamloops Sunrays to compete at B.C. Summer Games – with Spice Girls in their heads

Five Sunrays – Mackenzie Walsh, Harper Jonsson, Ariana Naveri, Ruth Templeton and Cora Hauk – will have the English pop band’s tunes in their heads while they prepare for the B.C. Summer Games in July in Kelowna.

They qualified for the event at an event in April in Richmond.

“It’s a lot of hours a week training together,” said Sunrays’ head coach Tina Naveri, noting Cassidy Beaver-Nicol is the club’s regular season coach.

“For them to get that experience of going to this event and seeing what high performance is, they can build toward other events, the Canada Games and higher-level events.”

The team is young by B.C. Summer Games standards, with an average age of 11.

“I think it’s a big one because you only get to do it once,” Sunrays’ swimmer Harper Jonsson said. “You just need to get to know each other. Not always be with each other, but hang out with each other more. You have to trust everyone a lot.”

Walsh will compete in the solo division. Jonsson and Ariana Naveri will aim for the podium in duet action. Each of the five swimmers will participate in team competition.

“I get really nervous before I perform, but when I get in the water, it feels really good,” Templeton said.

Added Jonsson: “It’s a lot, but it’s worth it. You might win. Even if you don’t, you still get to be there.”

The Sunrays will play host to the Jean Peters Provincial Championships from May 8 to 10 and host their End of Year Show on May 23, from noon to 1:00 p.m.

Both events will take place at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre.

by Marty Hastings

Kamloops Sunrays to compete at B.C. Summer Games – with Spice Girls in their heads

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