Special Olympics BC — Nanaimo cross country skier and 10-pin bowler Dennis Lynch was named the Male Masters Athlete of the Year at the 13th annual Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards on February 17.

Nominees were judged on their performances and/or sports achievements in 2017. The awards recognize those who made a significant contribution to the community in which they live and the award honours individuals who have made their sport and/or community a better place by volunteering, maintaining their commitment to academics, and displays leadership qualities.

In addition, they have also demonstrated the significant role that sport can play in developing role models and ambassadors, promoting the value and benefits provided by sports participation.

Lynch checks all the boxes.

In early 2017 Lynch trained at Mt. Washington on Vancouver Island in preparation to represent Canada in cross country skiing at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria. His strong season continued in February 2017 with third and fourth place finishes at an event in Kelowna. Lynch’s strong finishes were highlighted by the fact that these multi-divisional races where the 56-year-old Nanaimo athlete was competing with athletes in their 20s and 30s.

At the SO Winter Games in Austria, Lynch helped his 4 x 1km relay team to a silver medal for Canada. He also posted personal best times en route to a pair of fourth-place finishes in 1k and 2.5k events.

Lynch, an active athlete in a number of sports through Special Olympics programs including curling, floor hockey, baseball, and bowling, attended the 2017 BC Games in Kamloops as a member of the 10-pin bowling team. His efforts in the Interior earned him a spot on the BC team for the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Bowling Championships in P.E.I.

Lynch was honoured beside 17 other athletes at the awards ceremony at the Coast Bastion Inn. Congratulations to Dennis Lynch for all his hard work and being recognized as a leader in sports in the Nanaimo community.