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OREM — Two Utah teens are headed to world championships in a sport you may not have heard of: floorball.
“It’s kind of like floor hockey, but a little more modernized,” Jonah Walker said. “Very few people have heard of it because it is kind of more of a Scandinavian sport. It's kinda where it’s popular right now.”
Jonah Walker of American Fork and Seth Velasquez of Orem made the USA team last month and are headed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the competition next week. In their pool: teams Russia, Poland and Japan.
“We are going to work hard, prepare and have fun,” said Seth Velasquez.
Velasquez plays defense for the team. He originally played hockey and was introduced to floorball two years ago.
“The point of the game is for you and your teammates to try and score a goal in the opponent's net,” he said. “It’s like floor hockey but the sticks are a lot lighter and you can do a lot more when you're on your feet.”
To prepare for the international competition, the two practice with a small group at Orem Fitness Center. They hope their journey to inspires others to play.
“I want to show people that it’s a game that you can get good at,” Velasquez said.
The teens’ families set up fundraisers* to help raise money for their trip to the competition in Canada.
They are two of 20 athletes on Team USA.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
