Coca-Cola Torchbearers – January 20th
Name: Leslie Gurba
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Carrying Torch: Canmore
Torchbearer number: OTR083-074
Torch Relay Segment: January 20th, 2010
Age: 25
Living active and being involved in sports has always been an important aspect of Leslie Gurba’s life. It is even reflected in her educational background. In 2007, she graduated from university with a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics. More recently, she has become involved with Australian Rules Football. Gurba plays for a women’s club in Calgary, training twice a week and playing games on weekends. Gurba’s team is the current North American champions and she and her teammates are constantly promoting their club and sport through fundraisers and public events.
Gurba has also had the privilege and honor of representing Canada with the Women’s National AFL team. However, her true passion has been rugby for the last ten years. She began playing in high school and has now played at the club, university, city and provincial level. After several years of playing, she has returned to her high school to coach the girls’ rugby team. This experience has allowed her to help promote the sport she loves. Gurba hopes to continue inspiring others. This year, she will have another opportunity when she travels to South Africa as a volunteer rugby coach in the township schools of Port Elizabeth.
Name: Dan Phelps
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Carrying Torch: Calgary
Torchbearer number: OTR083-016
Torch Relay Segment: January 20th, 2010
Age: 32
In December 2006, Dan Phelps lost his wife, Trish, to a rare form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Her battle against Cancer inspired Dan to take a stand against the disease that took her life. Through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, Dan trained and completed three Marathon’s in her honour and raised over $15,000 for patient care and research. Wishing to do more, Dan returned to the program as a volunteer team Mentor, helping others to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars and train with them for countless hours. Later this year he will be returning to the program as the team Coach.
Between September 2007 and March 2009, Dan has lost over 50 pounds, ran five full Marathon’s, and six half Marathon’s. Though he does not know exactly how many people he has inspired with his active lifestyle, he knows his perseverance through difficult times has had a positive impact on everyone he has met.
Name: Angela Wittig
Hometown: Sherwood Park, Alberta
Carrying Torch: Springbank
Torchbearer number: OTR083-039
Torch Relay Segment: January 20th, 2010
Age: 25
Angela Wittig had some health challenges as a young child but she has always believed in living life to the fullest. In the last year, she has been swimming with sharks, hot air ballooned, dove for oysters in Florida, and hand gilded in the U.S.A. Angela is proud to carry the Coca Cola Olympic Torch and be part of the Olympic spirit.
Name: Larry O’Brien
Hometown: Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
Carrying Torch: Nakiska
Torchbearer number: OTR083-059
Torch Relay Segment: January 20th, 2010
Age: 50
Larry O’Brien and his family try to reduce their environmental footprint by; recycling all cans, bottles, plastics, paper and glass, driving fuel efficient vehicles, growing their own vegetables and reducing electricity, water and gas use in their home. Larry’s family is also very active in sports in their community. They enjoy golfing, cycling, hiking, and cross country skiing in the West country toward Banff and Jasper.
Larry’s family believes strongly in a sense of community and family, and are committed to living healthy living and making a positive impact on the environment.
Name: Janell Lautemilch
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Carrying Torch: Gladstone
Torchbearer number: OTR071-017
Torch Relay Segment: January 20th, 2010
Age: 18
Janell began playing field hockey in her hometown Regina, Saskatchewan in grade 5. Since then, she has played for the Bowness High School Senior and Junior Field Hockey Teams. In Grade 10, she was the recipient of the Pride and Excellence Award. By Grade 12, she was team captain, featured in the Calgary All-Star game, and nominated for the Carl Erichson Booster Club Award.
During the summer of Grade 11, she was a member of the Under 19 Women’s Alberta Provincial Team and traveled to Winnipeg, Manitoba for the 2008 Nationals. This past summer, she played for the Under 18 Women’s Alberta Provincial Team and traveled to Vancouver for the 2009 Canada Cup Tournament. Janell graduated Grade 12 as a Lifetime Member of the Honour Society, and Bowness Valued Student.
Janell has spent many hours volunteering within her high school at the Trojan Classic Annual Basketball Tournament, Wrestling Tournaments, and Student Council events. As well, she has volunteered in the community as a field hockey coach for children under 12.
Janell also enjoys art and playing piano.
Name: Richard Morrison
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Carrying Torch: Canmore
Torchbearer number: OTR083-121
Torch Relay Segment: January 20th, 2010
Age: 29
Over the past three years, Richard Morrison has overhauled his day-to-day life to both more physically active and more environmentally friendly. He has stopped driving for daily activities and started using his bike, the train and walking. He started a training program at the gym and he has encouraged his coworkers to get active. He has started working with the bars/clubs/festivals to have all the bottles and cans from the evening performances collected and recycled with the proceeds going to the respective charity of the night.
At home, he has converted to a recycling program and helped others on his block to understand how they can do the same. To reduce his carbon footprint, he has replaced lights in his house with low emission lights.
Name: Susan Black
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Carrying Torch: Banff
Torchbearer number: OTR083-143
Torch Relay Segment: January 20th, 2010
Age: 52
Susan Black believes in lifelong activity and play masters lacrosse along with other daily activities. She is proud to be the oldest woman in her league because she is an example and mentor to many women.
