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Cross-country skier brings home gold

Golden athlete Shelley Poland recently returned from a national Special Olympics event with two gold medals.
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Karen Cathcart

Golden athlete Shelley Poland has returned home with two gold medals around her neck.

The 30-year-old Special Olympian travelled to St. Albert, Alberta to compete in the national Special Olympics in the 500 metre and one kilometre cross-country ski races.

“College of the Rockies  - Golden Campus, congratulates, their and the Golden Community’s very own Shelley Poland on winning her two gold medals for cross-country skiing at the Special Olympics competition held in St. Albert, Alberta. Way to go Shelley. We are very proud of you,” said Karen Cathcart, Golden Campus Manager of the College of the Rockies.

Poland has been cross-country skiing for four years, and has won medals at the regional, provincial, and now national Special Olympics. And after this recent win, she qualifies for the world competition in South Korea next year.

Poland has had a lot of support from the local Special Olympics organization, started by Ned Johnson, where she has learned how to ski, golf and bowl among other things.

They are always looking for more volunteers to coach an existing program, or start a new one with a sport of their choice.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can call Karley Ferner at 250-190-0757.