Name: Gerry Kaluzniak

Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta

Carrying Torch: Three Hills

Torchbearer number: OTR079-021           

Torch Relay Segment: January 16^th, 2010

Age: 56

When Gerry Kaluzniak was 46 years old, he volunteered to coach his son’s under six soccer team. At the time, he considered himself relatively fit. After running with his son’s team for the first half, Kaluzniak had to sit out the second half in order to recover. This was despite the fact that under six soccer games do not involve a lot of running. It was then that Kaluzniak’s days of self delusion had ended. Kaluzniak set a goal of competing in a triathlon the following summer. He spent the fall training and in June 2000 he was ready for his first race. However, he blew out his knee while training and had to undergo surgery to repair it. After rehabilitation, he returned to training and ran his first triathlon in 2001. Since then, he has completed a half-ironman and was selected as an ‘age grouper’ for Canada’s World Championship Triathlon Team in 2008. Recently, he finished his 25th triathlon with his son competing alongside him. Now, former students race against him and it gives him great satisfaction to hear that his story has inspired them to participate. Kaluzniak believes, “If an ‘old man’ can do it, so can they.”

 

Name: Sylvia Kyriacou

Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta

Carrying Torch: Three Hills

Torchbearer number: OTR079-020           

Torch Relay Segment: January 16^th, 2010

Age: 49

Sylvia Kyriacou’s story began 10 years ago. She was in Jasper at a Santa’s Workshop relaxing in the hot tub one evening where she met Evelyn. They started talking about their lives as hockey moms. The conversation carried on for about an hour. Evelyn then mentioned how great it would be to be able to play hockey. So, Kyriacou called ten friends, as did Evelyn. That started the Friday morning ‘Shinny Sisters’. Their ages range from 25 to 75 years of age.

Starting the Shinny Sisters 10 years ago has changed Kyriacou’s life both physically and mentally for the better. It is an honour for her to be a part of such a great group of women. These women work hard in their everyday lives and still take the time to enjoy life by motivating each other to stay active in their community. Kyriacou looks forward to meeting new people every new hockey season.

At 49 years of age, Kyriacou has also taken up snowboarding with her husband and just recently took part in the MS bike tour for the first time. Kyriacou considers it a great honour and wonderful opportunity to be Coca-Cola Torchbearer.

 

Name: Staci Muller

Hometown: Cranford, Alberta

Carrying Torch: Redcliff

Torchbearer number: OTR079-074           

Torch Relay Segment: January 16^th, 2010

Age: 35

During the summer of 2005, Staci Muller’s church was celebrating its 100th anniversary and a challenge was set forth to bike from Canadian Coast to Coast. With four small children, ages 1 – 6 years, Muller knew that both her and her husband could not participate. After much deliberation and the amazing support of our families, it was decided that her husband would bike the entire 10 1/2 weeks, and she would join him in Guelph and bike the final three weeks to Halifax.

They successfully completed their challenge. Muller says their tour was not built on speed, but on encouraging others to step out of their comfort zone and accomplish something amazing. Muller now tells others that if you have a dream, find a way to make it work.

 

Name: Elizabeth Rae

Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta

Carrying Torch: Trochu

Torchbearer number: OTR079-018           

Torch Relay Segment: January 16^th, 2010

Age: 52

Elizabeth Rae is a proud, Bigstone Cree native woman. She is the mother of six and a grandmother 9. She is very active at work, encouraging people to be active. She is the captain of a several teams and participated in the big bike for Heart and Stroke research. She volunteers for a breast cancer walk and with Uncles and Aunties at Large, an organization that encourages youth to participate in sports.

Rae is an avid walker, biker and swimmer. She encourage her kids and grandkids to do the same. Rae believes that it is important for your health and well being to stay active.

 

Name: Sarah Plishka

Hometown: Calgary, Alberta

Carrying Torch: Brooks

Torchbearer number: OTR079-060           

Torch Relay Segment: January 16^th, 2010

Age: 18          

Softball is a huge part of Sarah Plishka’s life. During the summer, she spends weekdays on the field practicing and playing games, and almost every weekend playing in tournaments. There is no other place that she is happier then on a baseball diamond with her team. She says it is all for the love of the game.

Plishka likes to encourage others to enjoy her passion as well. She helps with softball skills clinics for younger children in her community. She believes that it is important for her to give back to the sport that has given her so much. Her dream is to one day play for team Canada in the Olympics but even if that doesn’t happen, she says she will still be out on the ball field, playing the game she loves.

 

Name: Jordon Phillips

Hometown: Delia, Alberta

Carrying Torch: Drumheller
Torchbearer number: OTR079-026           

Torch Relay Segment: January 16^th, 2010

Jordan Phillips is a fiery redheaded, high achieving grade twelve student set to graduate from her small-town school in June 2010. She grew up on her parents’ large mixed grain and beef cattle farm near Delia, AB. She has been figure skating since she was four and recently earned her gold level skills. Phillips’s ambition is to become a third-generation pilot, taking after my grandfather and my father.

Name: Shannon Giebelhaus

Hometown: St. Albert, Alberta

Carrying Torch: Brooks

Torchbearer number: OTR079-065           

Torch Relay Segment: January 16^th, 2010

Age: 18

When she was 8 years old, Shannon Giebelhaus began her career in sports, playing ringette, a solely girl’s game on ice.  It did not take long for her to decide that she wanted to one day be the Team Canada’s goalie for ringette.  For as long as she could remember the Olympics was a major event in her household.

Giebelhaus is still working towards a successful ringette career. She has also started to play competitive hockey. Giebelhaus plays for the Edmonton hockey team and is training to make the University of Alberta’s women’s hockey team next year.  Giebelhaus is excited to represent Canada through as a Coca Cola Torchbearer.

 

Name: Amber Brown 

Hometown: Calgary, Alberta

Carrying Torch: Rosedale
Torchbearer number: OTR079-053           

Torch Relay Segment: January 16^th, 2010

Age: 30

Amber Brown is committed to protecting the environment. At home, she has walks to buy groceries and never idles her car. She has signed up for e-billing and makes sure to compost or recycle. She also makes sure to use energy efficient light bulbs and appliances. At work, she is in the Environment and Safety Department at the City of Calgary. Her role there is to help protect water and land.

She also volunteers with Girl Guides, which gives her the opportunity to teach young people about the importance of respecting the earth. Brown believes that every small step can help flight climate change and she is proud to be part of the Coca Cola Olympic Torch Relay.