Sixteen excited athletes left the Valley, bound for Vancouver and the 2011 B.C. Baton Twirling Provincials. The members of Kootenay Baton Konnection (KBK) were accompanied by several supportive parents and their coach, Karen Gratton.
The group headed for the coast with many goals in mind, with the main focus on bringing back provincial titles and awards.
Marissa Jobs and Olivia Rad, the senior members of the group, will represent the local baton club in several events, including the senior division of freestyle and will join together as a pair to compete in that event as well.
This year the pair are once again hoping for excellent results in the provincial championship.
A strong performance will help the athletes in their preparations to compete at the Canadian Championships in Winnipeg the first week of July. Leigh Thompson and Delaney Rad, long-time members of KBK, will also head to Winnipeg where they will enter their award-winning duet routine.
Thirteen-year-old Selena Wieler of Edgewater is thrilled to be going to her first provincials. This will not only be her first time at a provincial tournament, but also her first airplane trip.
The young twirler is looking forward to the flight as well as the competition and is “very excited but a bit nervous”, which seems to be the sentiment of all those attending.
Highly-successful fundraisers throughout the year, which benefited not only the 22 competitive students, but the 17 recreational students as well, has helped the club meet its financial goals of the year. The KBK wishes to thank the Valley community for the tremendous support throughout the past year, according to Gratton.
As well as attending three other competitions in Alberta this past spring and performances planned throughout May and June, KBK is looking forward to hosting its 17th Annual KBK Year End Show. This entertaining event will be held at DTSS on Saturday May 28, starting at 6:30 p.m. There will be a Silver collection at the door and refreshments will be served during intermission.
Everyone is welcome to come by for an evening of spectacular performances. For more information contact Karen at 250-342-0002.