Williams Lake in celebration mode, thanks to the return of bronze medallist
Posted August 26, 2016 11:28 pm.
Last Updated August 26, 2016 11:46 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WILLIAMS LAKE (NEWS 1130) – An Olympian will be arriving home in Williams Lake to a hero’s welcome on Saturday.
Rugby will figure prominently in the festivities.
Kayla Moleschi was on the Canadian team that managed a third place finish in women’s rugby at the Rio Games.
“Oh, brother, I don’t know how we can puff up our chests any bigger,” says Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb.
A parade will be held in her honour, starting at city hall at 10 a.m., then winding up at a local school where there will be speeches and, appropriately enough, a touch rugby tournament.
Cobb says rugby does have a major profile in the city, with a local team hosting a tournament during stampede time. Teams from as far as Australia, England and Ireland take part.
“That’s quite a well-known rugby team. They’re called the Rustlers,” Cobb notes.
The community is also celebrating the gold medal win of teenager Carrie Lange in the U-18 Canadian Rugby Championship ten days ago.
Cobb points out Williams Lake is the hometown to other athletes such as Rick Hansen and NHL goalie Carey Price.
As for Moleschi’s accomplishment?
“It’s pretty amazing for the whole town. Everyone has gotten behind her. It’s going to be a great day.”