Cariboo-Northeast lacrosse players reflect on BC Summer Games journey

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The trio of Box Lacrosse players from Fort St. John spoke fondly about their experience at last week’s BC Summer Games in Maple Ridge.

Aaron Raab, Korhin Owen, and Nic Gordon were selected for the Cariboo-Northeast Region, or Zone 8, after tryouts this spring in Prince George.

Raab, a 15-year-old who plays as a runner, said the atmosphere was “nervewracking” before the first round-robin game versus Fraser Valley, representing Zone 4.

“They were the top team in our pool. Going against them, I was just really nervous,” said Raab. 

“Over time, however, we were able to gain some confidence and find our pace.”

“Ultimately, I wasn’t worried about the scoreboard. I was worried about how I wanted to play the game and end it.”

The game concluded with a 9-0 defeat, but the three players and the rest of the roster remained positive.

“We had to keep our heads high.  They’d been playing together longer than we had,” said Owen. “Just keeping our minds ahead for the next one.”

Facing the team from Zone 6 or Vancouver Island, the defense “nailed down,” according to Owen, through the first two periods before the Islanders pulled away to take the victory by a score of 11-5.

“It was a big step up from the first game,” said Owen.  “We got some good breaks.”

Ultimately, Zone 8 lost its final two games to finish sixth in the competition. 

Still, it was a unique experience that the three players, who have battled before and against one another in games at the Pomeroy Sports Centre, will cherish for a lifetime.

“Hanging out all weekend and meeting new people, especially guys [Aaron and Korhin] never met before,” said Gordon, who has played competitively in Prince George. “We ended up making great friends.”

Owen feels Zone 8, coached by former National Lacrosse veteran Jeff Molensky, will have more promising results in the 2026 BC Summer Games, which are scheduled to take place in Kelowna.

“We’ll gain more experience,” said Owen.  “We’ll do great because the coaching staff is simply amazing.”

Results from the BC Summer Games can be found here.