Okotoks five thrilled to experience hometown Alberta Games

The fastest game on two feet will have significant local representation at the Alberta Summer Games. 

Okotoks minor lacrosse athletes Jamie Jackson, Myer Shuttleworth, Lane Pothier, Cody Hansen and Evan Williams from the U15 A HOKS South team made the grade for Zone 2 Big Country as they battle for a podium finish at next month’s 2023 Alberta Summer Games at Okotoks’ Murray Arena. 

“It’s pretty cool because it's once every two years in certain age groups so you only have one chance to make the team,” said Shuttleworth. “So, making it and then if you win, you’re representing your whole community and area.” 

The athletes were selected following zone evaluation camps held in Calgary earlier this spring. 

“It means a lot because this is the only year we can do it,” Hansen said. 

Pothier, a goaltender, said it was a challenge to battle for a spot with those boasting much more experience than him in the sport. 

“I started last year with no experience beforehand and I’m versing people who’ve been doing it for eight years,” said Pothier. “It was all lacrosse in the offseason, that’s the only thing I did during the week and I did many, many camps.” 

Shuttleworth said the competition for roster spots really ramped up throughout the evaluation process. 

“There was a lot of people there, then there was a first cut and the second group was a lot harder so it was nice to get that email that I made it,” he said. “ 

Williams and Hansen, both first-year players at the U15 level, said they wanted to show sportsmanship at the evaluation. 

“I was surprised and happy (to make it),” Williams said. “Lots of people and our friends can come watch and I’m already used to the arena."

The lacrosse competition is a pool play format with each team playing three games in the preliminary round, with the top two in each pool qualifying for the gold and bronze medal games. 

“You have to play hard, but you also have to conserve your energy because you’re playing maybe two games a day,” Shuttleworth said. “Then having a rest and then waking up and having a game early in the morning.” 

The Zone 2 squad will be coached by the experienced duo of Al Houghton and Gary Playsted, longtime pillars of box lacrosse in the Calgary area. 

The coaching staff have set up mini-camps for the players to get acclimated with the condensed tournament schedule with efforts made to mimic what the athletes will experience once the games begin. 

“We did the mini-camp early in the day so we could be ready for playing when we’re still tired,” Jackson said. “Just like how it will playing in the tournament.” 

Lacrosse is one of 14 sports encompassing the Alberta Summer Games from July 20-23, thirteen of which will be held in Okotoks with the mountain biking portion of the Games held in Diamond Valley. 

“It’s cool that it’s in Okotoks, I might not have even tried out if it wasn’t,” Jackson said. “And it’s cool that I made it and get to represent my hometown.” 

The Western Wheel will be profiling local athletes set to compete in the Games in a series of articles over the next five weeks.  

For more information on the 2023 Alberta Summer Games, visit 2023asg.com.