The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Leadership on and off the court helped Sarah Petalik, of Flin Flon, earn a Canadian flag. Petalik, 16, recently attended the 49th Legion Athletic Camp and was chosen from more than 250 athletes for her abilities in both basketball as well as her socialization and leadership off the court. Petalik was one of six athletes to receive a Canadian flag this summer. Each week, a flag is presented to a deserving athlete Ð chosen by the coaches. Curtis Phillips, an administrator for the Legion Athletic Camp, says it's an honour for the athletes to be called to the stage. "You can see the pride and the smile on their face (when their name is called)," said Phillips. "It's always nice to see." Though the Athletic Camp has been going on for the past 49 years, the flag ceremony has only been present for the past five years. Petalik earned her flag for her efforts in basketball, but the Legion Athletic Camp offers a variety of sports. Roughly 1,200 athletes participate in basketball, advanced track, gymnastics, judo, wilderness, volleyball, track, soccer, golf, elementary, equestrian and cross country. The Legion Athletic Camp is situated on the Manitoba/North Dakota border at the International Peace Garden. The flag ceremony takes place on the American side of the park. Phillips says when the athletes name is called to receive their National flag, often times the athletes begin singing O Canada on their own. "It's really neat," he said. Next year, Legion Athletic Camp will be celebrating their 50th anniversary. As well as Petalik, a few other local athletes participated in the camp this summer. The following is a list of the athletes who attended from the Flin Flon area: Kellie Beck - Wilderness Austin Carriere - Soccer Nicole Diakow - Volleyball Derek Novosel - Basketball Sarah Petalik - Basketball Zack Reykdal - Soccer Blake Wallaker - Basketball There was one other athlete who attended Legion Athletic Camp from the Flin Flon area, but due to a privacy act, the name can not be printed. The Pas had 19 athletes competing in events as well.
