Côte-Nord’s Triumphant Start to Quebec Games; Baseball’s Comeback a Decade in the Making!
he 59th Quebec Games in Trois-Rivières got off to an electrifying start for the Côte-Nord delegation, with athletes making their mark across multiple disciplines, from mountain biking to baseball, volleyball, and triathlon.
**Anaïs Bélanger’s Silver Medal Highlights Mountain Biking Day**
.baie-Comoise Anaïs Bélanger ignited the games for Côte-Nord by claiming a silver medal in her first mountain biking test on Day 1. The young flag-bearer representing the North Coast at the opening ceremony showcased her prowess, finishing second in the Cross-Country short event among girls under 17.
The young athlete shared the port of the North Coast flag at the opening ceremony.
Léon Bernier (Baie-Comeau) narrowly missed the podium, placing fifth, just three seconds behind the bronze medal in the male U15 category for the XCC by mountain bikes. Daphnée Gagnon (Baie-Comeau) finished seventh in the U15 F category.
**A Decade in the Making: Baseball Squad Secures Victory**
The Côte-Nord baseball team scripts a comeback story as they secured a 6-2 win against Abitibi-Témiscamingue, marking their first victory in over a decade. Their last win in the final was back in 2016 at Montreal.
Liam Villeneuve (Sept-Îles) shone brightly on the mound, striking out thirteen batters across five innings. Coach Eric Boisvert, thrilled with his team’s performance said, “The guys have done well, against all odds. We did not expect that.” However, he hinted at the need for improved confidence at the plate for the rest of the tournament.
**Volleyball Teams Conquer Challenges, Learn and Grow**
The female and male volleyball teams from Côte-Nord faced challenges but also opportunity for growth, winning no matches during phase 1 of the preliminary round. Coach Yannick Bouchard reflected, “A day all in learning. Playing at this level is new for some players. Time to place cohesion, it will take some time.”
**Côte-Nord Returns to Triathlon Podium**
After a two-year break, the North Shore made a triumphant return to triathlon, with Raphaël Vachon (Sept-Îles) securing the best regional result with a 12th place finish in the men’s time trial.
**Athletics Qualifiers Lead the Charge**
Cayden Driscoll (Saint-Augustin) guaranteed his place in the final for the discus throw and javelin, while Sidnie Driscoll (Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon) dominated the weight throw qualification.
**Artsitic Swimming: New Team, New Beginnings**
The newly formed regional artistic swimming team, consisting of representatives from Sept-Îles and Baie-Comeau, made a promising start. Coach Sarah-Ève Levasseur praised their impressive performance despite having trained together for a short period.
**Archery Aiming High**
The archery team continues to make a mark, with coach Jean-Pierre Bernier expressing satisfaction with the young athletes’ performance on the first day.
**FAQs**
What was the first medal Côte-Nord won?
Which sport marked Côte-Nord’s first victory in over a decade?
**Pro Tip**:
Stay updated on all the action at 247sports.news for the latest news and insights from the Quebec Games!
For more updates and engagement, follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter. Leave your thoughts in the comments below!