Sparwood Secondary School (SSS) Boys Snowboarding Team have been named provincial champions after a recount.
The team almost lost their title due to a mistake made by B.C.’s snowboarding officials in Kimberley.
Team mates and passionate snowboarders, Tanner Sheremeta, Jay Marshall, Tyler Punk, Michael Hutchinson, Steven Bewski and Brody Leduc were really successful at the provincial championships that had taken place in Kimberley three months ago and had anticipated a first place win. “We had won a medal in almost every event,” they said. “We were pretty sure we were going to be the provincial champs and we were really excited. We knew we had done really well.”
But when the final results were announced, they learned another team had won first place. The Lakes District team, from northern B.C. had taken the win and were awarded their medals and banner as symbols of their victory.
A few weeks later, back at home, coach Clare Pinette, who also thought the boys had a top place position, reviewed and recalculated the race results. She discovered that an error had been made and the Sparwood boys should have been named as the winners. “This is huge,” says Penny Lowe, Sparwood Secondary School PE. Teacher. “Our boys had won first place, out of all the resort teams that had participated. If it wasn’t for their coach they never would have known. They were essentially robbed of their first place win and the exciting high at the moment they should have been announced the champions.”
Coach Pinette and Kimberley Provincial Championship Officials reassessed the results and recognized the error, finally proclaiming the SSS boys as the winners and revoking the title from Lakes District. “We are sure it was an honest mistake,” say the boys. “It’s too bad we couldn’t have won then and there, but at least now we know we are the provincial champs.”
Their accomplishment will be recognized in an upcoming school assembly and upon the arrival of their long overdue medals. According to the boys, no apology has been given for the mistake that almost cost them their title.