LENORE LACHANCE

AGE: 17

HOMETOWN: MEATH PARK

TEAM SASK

SPORT: ATHLETICS U19

Lenore Lachance won her first gold medal in the shot put category in athletics at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) held in Regina. 

"It was very exciting for me to win the medal because that was my goal to win the gold medal here at the games this year because it will be my last one. When I threw the shot put, it felt really good and it felt awesome when the organizers told me I was in first place. It was a great experience, I was happy with myself and my teammate. She won silver in the same category so two medals in one."

Lachance says when she first received the news that she made it for NAIG she felt really awesome. 

"I was really proud of myself and just getting the support from my family saying that I'm going to NAIG, I have a great feeling that I made it this far."

When she tried out for NAIG last summer, she has been constantly training herself especially the last two months before NAIG, practicing two or three times a week. 

"For practice, we would do dynamics to make sure we don't pull a muscle when we are practicing. So we did a lap around the track just to get the blood flowing. After we got warmed up, we'd work on our gliding."

When she was younger, she played in the provincials, which motivated her to practice and to learn more each year. So far, she's been having a great experience at the games besides winning a gold medal. 

"The experience here at NAIG has been awesome! Watching other teams compete against other teams. It's a great experience making new friends."

Her plans after completing high school is to attend university but is unsure of which school she wants to go to. She hopes to become a paramedic or a physiotherapist. 

Her message to the future athletes for NAIG is to listen to what your coaches teach you.