Arctic Winter Games (AWG) Trials were held Thursday Jan. 18 to Saturday Jan. 20 in Inuvik. Snoeshoeing was held on the Mackenzie River, and Arctic sports such as Alaskan high kick, knuckle jump, and triple jump were held in the East Three Secondary gym.

Veronica McDonald, who came first overall in the open female category for Arctic sports, said she has been participating in AWG trials since she was eight years old. And now, nearly 14 years later, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 still competing. She said while she enjoys the sport and always tries her hardest, she keeps coming back to AWG trials for the people.

SA国际影视传媒淚 feel like I did the best I could. I beat some of my records. I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 come here to break any personal bests, I just came to try. But really, I came here for the people,SA国际影视传媒� McDonald said. SA国际影视传媒淚 really enjoy the people. I really enjoy everybody telling their stories over and over. TheySA国际影视传媒檒l never stop telling them and ISA国际影视传媒檒l never stop laughing.SA国际影视传媒�

McDonald said the AWG trials community feels like family to her.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e known Gerry since I was eight, heSA国际影视传媒檚 seen me grow up and slowly progress. I honestly come here for them because theySA国际影视传媒檙e such great people and itSA国际影视传媒檚 always fun to be around them,SA国际影视传媒� McDonald said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey have such great advice and basically everybodySA国际影视传媒檚 just family.SA国际影视传媒�

McDonald said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 excited to go on to compete at the AWG in mid-March.

SA国际影视传媒淢y biggest excitement is to be competing in my hometown. I would not pass up the opportunity. ISA国际影视传媒檝e never competed there, so the fact that theySA国际影视传媒檙e in Fort Smith and Hay River is just so exciting to me. ISA国际影视传媒檓 so ecstatic to show everyone that this is what I grew up doing,SA国际影视传媒� McDonald said. SA国际影视传媒淭his year the host committee called me to congratulate me and asked me to be the torch carrier into the opening ceremonies. So ISA国际影视传媒檓 excited to be able to hold the torch in my home community . . . itSA国际影视传媒檚 a big honour.SA国际影视传媒�

Gerry Kisoun, announcer for the AWG, said he is very proud of McDonald and all the other young athletes.

SA国际影视传媒淚t doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 really matter if the kids place in the medals or not. The games are about doing the best you can,SA国际影视传媒� Kisoun said. SA国际影视传媒淲e always want to do everything we can to help the kids be the best that they can be in the games.SA国际影视传媒�

Athletes who qualified for Team NWT were announced at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20 in the East Three Secondary gym. The AWG will take place from March 18-24, 2018 in Hay River and Fort Smith.