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Sports
Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing newsroom@merrittherald.com. NCAA Roundup recognizes some familiar faces
The many challenges of the 2022 BC Epic 100
Zach Metsa played for the Centennials in the 2016-2017 season before moving on to USHL and eventually Quinnipac University. Photo/ Ian Webster
Meaghan Hackinen poses for a picture after winning 2021 BC Epic 1000. Photo/Meaghan Hackinen Izaiah Reyes NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM
As the NCAA hockey tournament continues to heat up, we take some time to recognize a pair of Merritt Centennials alumni who have received honors for their play.
In a recent NCAA roundup, the league announced the players who have made the All Conference teams. Two of which, were Clarkson University’s Mathieu Gosselin and Quinnipac University’s Zach Metsa.
Gosselin, now a junior for the Golden Knights, played two full seasons for the Cents from 2017-2019.
In his first year Gosselin would put up 33 points in 53 games. Gosselin showed an incredible ability to quickly adapt to the BCHL level of play, almost doubling his total points to 60 for his second season.
Metsa played for the Centennials in the 2016-2017 season and had 27 points in 57 games.
As a senior for the Bobcats, Metsa led the nation in scoring defense, scoring 34 points and blocking 24 shots. His performance earned him All Conference as well as ECAC Defenceman of The Year.
Both players have earned a spot on the 1st Team All Conference in the ECAC division.
Marc Ashford CONTRIBUTOR
As the spring season is upon us, and the promise of better weather looms, the ability to enjoy the outdoors has begun to heat up. While many embrace the warm weather by playing a round of golf or heading to the baseball diamond, others dust off their helmets, pump their tires, get back up on their bike, and prepare themselves for another intense season of bikepacking.
A unique and at times very difficult sport, bikepacking is an exciting style of bicycle touring that combines the beauty of mountain biking and distance backpacking. There are limited rules such as no help from or helping of other cyclists, no resupply stations, and employment of the honour system (tracking your own time).
Every year cyclists leisurely experience the beauty of bikepacking and the trails the sport has to offer such as the Okanagan Rail Trail or Kettle Valley Railway (KVR). However, the B.C. Epic 1000 is on a whole different level with its 600 km rail beds from Merritt to Castlegar and another 400 km along gravel tracks heading into Fernie.
While the route from Merritt to Fernie is not as difficult as some other bikepacking routes, like the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (4,300 km route from Banff to Antelope, New Mexico), it still has its challenges. Hard gravel and uneven rocky roads, along with discomforting prolonged climbs are just some of the adversities riders will have to overcome.
Additionally, the path is not always cleared for riders to pass by smoothly and with the recent floods that took place across BC, there might be sections of the path that are completely washed out.
“Between the flood and the fires in BC, some of the bikepacking routes might have sustained a lot of damage,” said last year’s BC Epic 1000 winner, Meaghan Hackinen.
Hackinen is also women’s record holder, and second all-time record holder for the B.C. Epic 1000.
“I think what would happen is we would follow the original route as much as possible and then we would hop on the road to avoid any sort of flooded areas.”
“In general that’s how these events work,” Hackinen stated. “If there’s more miles because of that, then that’s just part of the event.”
Being an avid cyclist, Hackinen has prior experience with unforeseen forks in the road.
“This year there was a section that was washed out on the trail near the end of Otter Lake,” Hackinen recalled. “We all hopped onto Coalmont Road for an extra 10 or 15 kilometres to avoid the washout.”
Hackinen credits the bikepacking community for coordinating with fellow cyclists, informing them of any conditions that could influence a group’s ride.
“If there’s a rider in Merritt who goes out and rides on some of the path, they would report back and might tell Lennard ‘hey, this part’s closed so make sure your riders know about it.”
Lennard Pretorius is a Kamloops doctor, bikepacker, and the creator of the B.C. Epic 1000. In 2015, Pretorius mapped out the path after riding a 600 km route in Oregon and wanting something similar back home.
The annual informal ride along the same route of public trails and roads has grown in popularity over the past few years, and as Hackinen states, “has attracted competitors worldwide,” to come and experience a long and daunting route that requires a lot of, “patience and skill.”
Additionally, it can be even more of a challenge when one has to bike through extreme heat like the heat dome bikers experienced last summer (2021).
The B.C. Epic 1000 is an extreme test for even the most skilled and dedicated riders.
“It is a race but it is also just a bike ride,” Hackinen stated. “If you want to slow down, stop, and have a dip in the near water then go ahead.”
For those riders who want to take on a challenge and join the vigorous 1000 km race, they are free to do so and can register on the B.C. Epic 1000 website. However, they must do so at their own risk and must be prepared for the inevitable challenges that will be thrown their way.
The 2022 B.C. Epic 1000 is scheduled to depart from Merrit on June 25th at 7:00 am.
For more information on how to register for the B.C. Epic 1000, please visit bcepic100.com
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THURSDAY, April 7, 2022 • 15 BUSINESS FEATURE
Do you want to nominate a business? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing reporter@merrittherald.com. An atmosphere of positivity and passion at Planet Hair
Owner Kathy Castro has operated Planet Hair since 1996, and has owned her downtown location since 2005. Photo/Herald File Photo Merritt Herald NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM
Planet Hair has been a staple in the community for over 26 years, providing salon and retail services much beloved by their customers. However, the downtown location at 2040 Granite Avenue will be completing its final orbit around the sun later this month, as the building has been sold to Interior Community Services.
Owner Kathy Castro and her team have stayed busy during the pandemic, experiencing higher traffic than ever.
“It was challenging at first, but we were busier than we ever were. Everybody was so scared that we would shut down again that they kept up with their hairstyles,” joked Castro.
Although restrictions in BC have begun to lift, Castro maintains a high level of sanitization, ensuring clients can enjoy Planet Hair’s comprehensive list of services and products with peace of mind. From tanning, haircuts, and other beauty services, to shampoos and designer clothing, the team at Planet Hair’s passion for service is clear by the common appearance of wide smiles and satisfied customers.
“My favourite thing about the Planet Hair team is their positivity and their passion about what they do. It is evident that everyone is passionate about what they do and their love for people.”
Castro first opened her Merritt location in 1996, after settling in the Valley from Kamloops. Castro had planned to open there, but moved her home and business to Merritt, finding that a large portion of her client base resided in the Nicola Valley.
“The spirit of the Nicola Valley is very special,” said Castro. “The people are warm and generous, and it’s beautiful here.”
Castro knew she would pursue a career in fashion and beauty from a young age, a lifelong dream that began at age five.
“It’s always been something I’ve loved. Fashion and beauty are kind of my thing.”
Throughout her career, which began in 1990, Castro has cut hair, designed and sold cowboy hats, clothing, and operated a hair and beauty school. After owning three salons in Williams Lake, Salmon Arm, and Merritt, she has always considered the latter home.
While the building that Castro and her team currently operate in downtown has recently sold, the sun is not setting for the final time on Planet Hair. Castro intends to maintain a relationship with her clients.
Castro is undoubtedly grateful for the support of her family, friends, team, and all those who supported her business. She will always be thankful for the support of her husband, and her mother, whom she lost in 2019. Castro credits her mother as being her biggest role model, and teaching her the value of sincerity, integrity, and hard work in business.
Castro praised WorkBC, Community Futures, RBC, the Merritt Herald, and other local small business stakeholders for their resources and expertise. Most of all, she is grateful for the support of her clientele.
“My clients from Merritt and the surrounding area, what can I say? I love you, you made this journey amazing. I have enjoyed every minute with all of you, you have enriched my life and made me look forward to enjoying every day at work. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for a wonderful 26 years. It’s all because of you.”
CONTAIN-IT STORAGE
■ Approved mini-storage ■ On-site rentals ■ Secured ■ Sale of New & Used storage containers 1750 Hill Street ■ Phone: 250-315-3000
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THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU
Crossroads Community Church
2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911• Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m. Merritt Baptist Church
2499 Coutlee Avenue (at Omre) Sunday service 10 am, Phone (250)378-2464 Merritt Lutheran Fellowship
in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899 Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:00 p.m. Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919 Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m. St. Michael’s Anglican Church
1990 Chapman St. • 250-378-3772 Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m. Trinity United Church
Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735 Service Time every Sunday - 10 am Somang Mission Community Church (SMC)
1755 Coldwater Ave. (The Cadet Hall) Sunday Service Time: 4:00 pm • 250-280-1268 Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church
Don’t let the heat get to you call the cool line 250-378-5104 we’re your source for lennox air conDitioners weBeat theHeat! 250-378-5104 2151 coutlee ave., 2151 c coppervalley@uniserve.com
