Team B.C. has its sights set on a top-three finish in the overall standings at the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
That was the prediction made by the team's chef de mission Rob Needham Tuesday in a conference call with media.
"Traditionally, Ontario, Quebec and B.C. have been in the top three," he said. "We'll be looking to maximize every result. We have a lot of strengths in a wide variety of sports and there are a number of teams and individuals that we fully expect will be on the podium."
Needham said since other provincial teams were just announced in the last few days, it's hard to estimate an exact number of medals it would take to finish in the top three.
Team B.C. is comprised of 249 athletes, 49 coaches, 27 managers and 23 mission staff. B.C. will take on the best in the country in 19 sports in Prince George from Feb. 14-28. Northern B.C. is well represented, with 30 athletes (19 from Prince George), six coaches and three managers.
It's the first time B.C. has hosted the winter version of the Canada Games.
"I think there's a really strong sense of excitement as we get closer," said Needham. "We get to showcase northern B.C. and I think (everyone) will really put their best foot forward. We've got 19 athletes from Prince George who are able to compete in front of their home crowd and they're incredible role models."
Leading Team B.C. into the opening ceremony at CN Centre will be female hockey athlete Micah Hart from Saanichton, who was chosen as the team's flag bearer. The 18-year-old's resume includes being captain of Canada's under-18 women's team that won silver at the 2015 IIHF world championship. She's the captain of Team B.C.'s women's hockey team for the Games and a member of the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton.
Needham said every participating sport nominated an athlete based on criteria of athletic performance in B.C., nationally and internationally, leadership, volunteerism and athletic performance.
"That was the core criteria and there were some tough decisions made," said Needham. "But we're very honoured to have Micah emerge (as the flag bearer)."
"We have a lot of amazing athletes on our team and it's unbelievable to be chosen," added Hart.
Team B.C. will also be represented at the opening ceremony by gymnast Aaron Mah from Vancouver, who will be the official lantern carrier for the squad.
Avril Harris, a three-time Canada Winter Games wheelchair basketball athlete from Prince George, will read the Athletes' Oath on behalf of all athletes at the Games.
Team B.C.'s honourary captain is Kelowna's Kelsey Serwa, a 2014 Olympic silver medallist in ski cross who competed at the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse.
She'll be in Prince George Feb. 13-15 and Feb. 21-22 supporting the athletes.
"The Canada Winter Games is so much different than going to a tournament or a race," she said. "There's dealing with transportation and food and accommodations and there's skill in managing all the distractions while being focused on one event. The message I would give (the athletes) is to stay relaxed and have fun. It's all about enjoying the moment."
Fifty-five per cent of the Team B.C. contingent has previously competed at the B.C. Winter or B.C. Summer Games.
