The Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club recently continued its tradition of success when its members traveled to compete in the USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint National Championships in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Thirty-five athletes, three coaches and numerous supporters made the trek and came home with medals for individual and team boat accomplishments, including championships in the Bantam division (Under-14) and Juvenile division (U-16) division titles, while finishing a close second behind Gig Harbor Canoe Kayak Team (Gig Harbor, Wash.) in overall team points.
The LCKC Masters Team (over-30) also claimed a championship.
“LCKC had athletes on the podium in almost every event that we entered," LCKC coach Kalen Lee Scholz said. "I am extraordinarily proud of our athletes and all of the hard work they put in over the past year of training. I am excited to help them set and achieve goals for next year.”
Four LCKC athletes arrived in Oklahoma City from Minsk, Belarus, after competing in the 2016 Junior World Championships just days before Nationals began. Five LCKC members were also named to the USA Canoe/Kayak Olympic Hopes Team following the event, meaning that Owen Farley-Klacik, Owen Ozaki, Edward Surles, Michael Olson and Maggie Bowmar will represent LCKC and the USA next month in the Under-23 and Junior World Championships in Szeged, Hungary.
“We are extremely proud of all our athletes and coaches for their accomplishments at Nationals and those who represented the USA on the international stage at U23 and Junior Worlds," LCKC President Mike Braff said. "(We wish) continued success to the five athletes selected to the Olympic Hopes Team next month in Hungary. Thank you to the volunteers, parents and our community for supporting all their efforts.”
