A former Prince Rupert swimming star has been nominated for a prestigious award in Prince George.
Avery Movold, who moved to Prince George with her family approximately a year ago, is one of the candidates for the “Rising Star” award, which recognizes outstanding athletic achievement in northern B.C. athletes for the 2016 year.
Just to be nominated means a lot to the 16-year-old.
“These are some of the best athletes in northern B.C. and I’m just so honoured to be nominated,” Movold said.
She will be up against 18 other candidates for the award, which will be handed out at a banquet and gala in Prince George on Feb. 9.
The nomination caps off what was a successful year for Movold. She was recently selected for the Canadian National ID Team, which identifies Canada’s best young swimmers for the purpose of progression to the Senior National Team one day.
Movold also found success at age-group nationals, where she missed the podium by .03 of a second, and Western Nationals, where she medalled in almost every category.
But the teenager has her eyes set firmly on the future, with dreams of college swimming and representing Canada at the 2020 Olympics.
“I’m talking with a few universities right now, I’m talking with Texas A&M and Stanford and (Louisiana State University). I’m really excited to be in college and do college swimming and go over to the States and try something new,” Movold said.
But the Olympics are where her heart is really at.
“I have four years to perfect everything and to work so hard on every little detail. I believe that if I keep going the way I’m going, I can make it there and represent Canada,” she said.
Already swimming 10 times a week in Prince George, Movold has given up other sports because swimming and school take up all of her time. While she continues to work hard towards her Olympic goals, her immediate focus will be to put in a good performance at the World Trials in Victoria in April.