Photo: Courtesy of Star Flower Photography/Team Yukon – NAIG
Team Yukon had an explosive day three at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games with tons of medals going to swimmers
YUKON – It was another busy day for athletes at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games yesterday.
Day four notables included Ava Irving-Staley consistently finding the target at the U19 3P rife shooting event, finishing first with a total score of 771 after scoring 403 points.
In the pool, it was an explosive day for Yukon swimmers as the team reached 17 finals. They earned eight gold medals, one silver and one bronze on top of 15 personal bests. The medal winners were, Tuja Dreyer, four golds; Corbin Jackson, gold, silver, bronze; Kassua Dreyer, three golds.
Elsa Gleason and Leah McLean’s U16 beach volleyball team defeated Nova Scotia 21-10, 21-13 to go to the semifinals tomorrow. The U16 men’s team, comprised of Kaelan Basnett and Joe Popadynec, defeated Nova Scotia 21-17, 21-18. New Brunswick then defeated them and will compete for bronze tomorrow.
In the final game of the preliminary stages, the U19 volleyball squad faced a formidable New Brunswick team. The team won the second set 25-16 to force a third set but fell barely short.
On the mats, Eban Basnett, 66kg, pinned both his New Mexico opponents to go 2-0 on day two to finish ninth overall. Jacob Nickel, 74kg, went 1-1 on day two, defeating his opponent from Eastern Door and the North. Due to concussion protocol, Kayce Saligo did not fight on the final day.
On Wednesday, there was even more fantastic badminton action. In U16 doubles and U19 mixed doubles, the squad played close games and displayed outstanding coordination.
Silver medalist in 3P under 16 rifle shooting Jorja Jackson was the second Yukoner to win a medal. She says her practice mainly was from hunting.
“I’ve done some hunting like we hunted for gophers my family is very traditional and like hunting, and I’ve gone hunting with them before but I’ve never shot anything but I will in the future”
