NNSL (Mar 25/98) - Kivalliq athletes are the leaders on Team NWT in arctic sports.Winning a total of eight medals, the athletes gave their best shot and came home with the gold.

Wesley Inukshuk of Rankin Inlet was the top athlete, taking gold for both the kneel jump and the Alaskan high kick. He also brought back a silver medal for the one-hand reach.

Larry Tautu, arctic sports coach for the Keewatin contingent, said that Inukshuk was the competitor to watch all during the Games.

"Wesley -- he's the guy to watch," he said. "He is doing so well. Wesley is winning medals in almost every event."

Tautu, who also competed in the Games, said the other athletes also did well and made their region proud.

"Keewatin athletes are kicking butt," he said. "I'm very happy with my team -- they're hot."

Johnny Issaluk of Rankin Inlet won two silver medals for the one-foot kick and the head pull in the open men's category. Heather Kolit of Coral Harbour brought home a bronze medal for the kneel jump in open women, James Mullins of Chesterfield Inlet won the bronze for the arm pull in junior men, and Qovik Innukshuk of Chesterfield Inlet won the silver for the arm pull in junior women.

Inukshuk replaced Tim Angotingar of Chesterfield Inlet after he was unable to attend the Games.

Tautu said that this year's team for the NWT was exceptional and things really worked well when they got to competition.

"This year we have a wicked team for NWT," he said. "Every day we're winning medals and mostly gold ones. Once we even did a clean sweep."

Vicky Paraschak, a volunteer with the Arctic Winter Games, said she watched the Keewatin competitors and was impressed by their skill, as well as the number of medals they brought home.

"That's really a good showing," she said.