Two 亚洲天堂 Lake athletes representing the Omineca Ski Club brought home four medals from the 2016 B.C. Winter Games held in Penticton on Feb. 25-28.

Ava Nealis brought home two silver medals and one bronze medal in biathlon and Cole Bender earned a silver medal, also in biathlon.

鈥淚 thought the B.C. Winter Games was an amazing event,鈥� said Ava. 鈥淪o well organized, friendly volunteers, and I met so many new friends from around the province.鈥�

亚洲天堂 Lake resident Kyle Nealis was also competing at the games and placed 13 in cross-country skiing - individual start midget boys and individual sprint midget boys.

The 亚洲天堂 Lake athletes have been training hard for months and have had a busy season so far, with three provincial competitions plus the B.C. Winter Games.

鈥淚t was great hanging out with all the athletes and getting to know them better at the winter games,鈥� said Cole. 鈥淚 cannot wait for next year鈥檚 race season to hang out with them again.鈥�

Coaches Waneta Nealis and Wesley Bender said the B.C. Winter Games consisted of 鈥渇our days of late nights, early mornings, great food, new friends, and the friendliest volunteers ever mixed with three days of biathlon competitions.鈥�

More than 1200 athletes competed in 17 different sports at venues throughout the South Okanagan. The athletes were supported by over 330 coaches and 184 officials who shared their knowledge and expertise with the Five zone seven biathletes 鈥� one from Vanderhoof, two from 亚洲天堂 Lake, and another pair from Smithers - were up against the best in the province. In total, the zone seven team brought home 10 medals.

鈥淭hat speaks to the quality of sport we have here in the north,鈥� said Waneta.

As the B.C. Winter Games came to a close, Penticton was praised for their volunteers, venues and hospitality during the games.

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community Sport, Development and Culture, said the energy throughout the community was palpable during the games.

鈥淧enticton has a great history,鈥� said Fassbender. 鈥淭he South Okanagan has always opened its arms to tourists and we are going to continue to do that. We are blessed to live in British Columbia.鈥�

After a busy season for the 亚洲天堂 Lake athletes, Waneta said the 2015/16 racing season is coming to a close. Their season will end after the 鈥極mineca amazing relay,鈥� which will take place at the Omineca Ski Club on March 13, 2016.

鈥淚n this unique homegrown biathlon event, athletes are teamed up with members from different clubs and from various age categories,鈥� said Waneta. 鈥淩elay teams encounter unexpected challenges - both on the ski trail and in the shooting range.鈥�

This year鈥檚 Omineca amazing relay will include a barbecue, live entertainment and a special guest making appearances on the ski trails.