Sports

 

The season is underway at the Morrisburg Golf Club. The course opened in late in April and things were looking pretty good until the area was hit with some heavy rain. But the fairways have dried up again, and both the ladies and men got their weekly evenings played.

Although both evenings kicked off the previous week, conditions weren’t great for either, and the women did not get to play at all due to the rain.

The first ladies night did see 48 ladies out to enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and they were all back last week, May 7, when they officially hit the course for the first time on a beautiful sunny afternoon and evening.

The sponsor for the ladies first night was Aikman Trailer Sales, and Upper Canada Playhouse sponsored the May 7 evening.

Judy Laurin, Laurie Dillabough and Katherine Alguire played “a minute to win it’ game to win tickets to the Playhouse. All were successful on their first attempt.

The closest to the pin shot on the par three 11th hole was made by Paula Locke. Joanne Baker produced the closest shot on the par three 14th, and Lorna Young was closest on the 17th.

Coming up this week, the ladies night sponsor is Scotiabank.

The men got their season rolling last Thursday night, May 8. The evening sponsor was Eldon Horner, and the low shooter was Lance LePage with a 35. Andy Patenaude won B flight with a 40, and Gary O’Neil had the low score in C flight with a 42.

Net winners were Lindsay Weegar in A flight, Wally Baker in B flight and Barry Henderson in C flight.

Closest to the pin winners were Floyd McRea on the 14th and Kent Dawley on the 17th.

Coming up this week, men’s night is sponsored by Home Hardware.

Also coming up on Saturday, May 24 is the Home Hardware Mixed two ball. Sign up sheets are available at the club and non-club members are welcome. The event will get rolling at 10 a.m. with a shot gun start.

This year’s Morrisburg Men’s Open has returned to its June 21st date, and registrations can be made at the club. Tee offs for the men’s open will start at 10 a.m. The day will include golf, prizes and a dinner. For more info please contact club captain Andy Patenaude or call the clubhouse.

[…]

 

Katie Buter, Cameryn Broad and Ali Van Hoof were named the Morrisburg & District Skating Club StarSkate Spirit of Skating Award winners at the club’s annual banquet on Sunday.

Buter and Broad received the award as co-winners at the Intermediate Skating level while Van Hoof won at the Senior level.

The purpose of the StarSkate Spirit of Award is to recognize Intermediate and Senior level skaters who have demonstrated, spirit, determination and commitment to the StarSkate program throughout the skating season. The recipients were selected by a committee which consisted of all coaches at the two levels and board members representing both intermediate and senior skaters.

“It was very difficult this year to pick out one skater,” said Ellen Biemond. “This year you have all worked very hard, and you should all be very proud of yourselves.”

Morrisburg club president Julie Van Hoof kicked off the awards program.

Tonight marks the end of the 2013-14 skating season,” said Van Hoof. “It has certainly been one of the best skating seasons for the Morrisburg and District Skating Club.”

“On behalf of the Club, I’d like to thank all members of the board for all the work that each of you has done throughout the skating season. I would also like to thank those parents who continue to volunteer when  needed. The success of our club comes from the dedication and commitment of our many volunteers. MDSC is very fortunate to have such a strong volunteer base.”

Van Hoof also thanked the MDSC coaching team which included Allison Scott, Louise Dimmick, Danielle Napier, Veronica Whyte, Ali Van Hoof and Dana Grant (dance coach). “Each of you devotes so much time and effort into coaching, encouraging and believing in your skaters. The relationship you develop with each of them are memories that will never be forgotten. Without you, we would not have the successful and talented skates we have within our club.”

Van Hoof then turned her attention to the skaters. 

“Tonight we are very proud to be rewarding many of you for your accomplishments and achievements. It doesn’t matter what jumps you land or what tests you passed. It is important to remember you are your own individual on the ice, working hard to achieve your personal goals. MDSC is very proud of each of you for all the hard work and commitment that goes into your skating. I encourage all of our skaters to continue to follow your dreams and strive for your goals.”

Accomplishments were recognized in the four skating disciplines: Dance, Skills, Interpretive and Free Skate.

Topping off her goals this year was Alisha Van Hoof who completed her gold level in Interpretive and in Skills. “Two golds in two disciplines is a huge achievement,” said club test chair Isabella Jordan. This is the highest level of achievement in the Skate Canada Program, and achieving gold is certainly something to be proud of.”

Following are Dance passes: Junior Bronze Dances which include Swing, Fiesta Tango and Willow Waltz–Reagan Belanger and Cameryn Broad. Senior Bronze Dances, 10 Fox, Fourteen Step, European–Alexis Engwerda, Kristyn Van Hoof, Abigail Jordan, Kendra Buter, Trina Dykstra-MacPherson, Kaitlyn Stewart and Tayler Pilon.

Skills Passes: Jr. Bronze– Katie Buter. Senior Bronze–Erika Jordan, Reagan Belanger, Cameryn Broad. Junior Silver–Kristyn Van Hoof, Trina Dykstra-MacPherson. Senior Silver–Abby MacMillan, Alexis Engwerda. Gold Skills–Alisha Van Hoof.

Interpretive Passes: Introductory–Kendra Buter and Kaitlyn Steward. Gold Interpretive–Alisha Van Hoof.

Free Skate Passes: Preliminary–Ashley Bouwman, Olivia Hart, Mikaela Furo, and Xandra Furo. Junior Bronze–Kaitlyn Stewart, Cameryn Broad and Katie Buter. Senior Bronze–Trina Dykstra-MacPherson and Abby MacMillan.

The club and her fellow skaters also took the time to say good bye to senior skater Alyssa MacMillan who heads off to university in the fall. “Alyssa, you have devoted so much time into our club, both as a skater and as a Program Assistant,” said Van Hoof. “You worked hard to achieve your personal goals, and should be very proud that along the way you achieved a gold test. On behalf of the Morrisburg and District Skating Club, I wish you all the best as you prepare for a new journey in your life.”

The Can Skate members of the Morrisburg & District Skating Club wrapped up their season at an ice cream party banquet in March. At that banquet, Emma Morrow was named Canskater of the Year and Abigail Smail and Lilly Napier were named the “Spirit Champions”.

[…]

 

Cassie Hummel, left, and Maggie Wells got the Seaway District High School Track and Field team, off to a good start, at the Ottawa University Invitational meet on Thursday, May 1, when they threw their way to a pair of gold medals and then added one silver and one bronze.

Hummel collected a gold medal in midget girls javelin with a p.b. throw of 21.93m and a bronze in midget girls shot put with a p.b. throw of 8.20m. 

Wells produced a 23.12 m gold medal throw in midget girls discus and a 9.60m shot put throw for a silver medal. The Seaway athletes finished in second and third in midget shot put behind Abby McMann of Immaculate H.S. who won with a throw of 10.02m. 

While Hummel and Wells have thrown shot before, it was Hummel’s first attempt in javelin and Wells’ first time at discus. They both admit, they surprised themselves with their gold medal results and are now working at perfecting their technique. 

Of her first time in javelin, Hummel says, “I just wanted to try it, but I didn’t think I would do that well.” 

Said Maggie, “We both learned discus the night before in the pouring rain. We had a 15 minute lesson.” 

They were well instructed in those 15 minutes, said Trevor Thompson who, with Mark Lewis, is this year coaching the Seaway track and field team. Both are delighted that the team has climbed from last year’s record low number to 15 athletes this year. 

“We are mostly grade 9’s,” said Thompson. “But that is good. We are rebuilding, and hopefully they will stay with it.” 

In addition to the medals won by Hummel and Wells, runner Brynn Gilmour claimed a bronze medal in junior girls 100m dash with a time 13.41 seconds and Kaitlyn Stewart claimed a bronze medal in midget girls long jump with a 4.17m jump.

Some other athletes who compete last week were Quinn Horne, Kyle Ault, Cole Thompson, Johnny Strackholder, Keanne Van Dodewward, Dillan Sullivan, Ashley Whitteker and Lorenzo Garcia.

[…]

Although South Dundas Soccer Association chair Phillip Blancher would like to see better communication  between the municipality and volunteers running various programs it appears that an issue between the municipality and the association has come to an amiable solution.

The municipality of South Dundas had dropped the ball, the soccer ball to be exact, and Blancher didn’t feel it should be the Association that served the penalty that came with a price tag of about $450.

In a letter dated March 5, to South Dundas Public Works Manager, Chris Bazinet, the Association made its annual request for the closure of Lakeview Drive in Iroquois, between College and Elizabeth Streets for the Saturday soccer mornings, beginning May 24 and running through July 25.

In a return e-mail dated Friday, April 11, Bazinet replies: “I am in receipt of your request road closures/parking restrictions in support of South Dundas Soccer Activities. The Municipality will require proof of Liability Insurance in the amount of 5 Million dollars with the Municipality identified as an addition to the policy. Once we receive this document we will proceed with your request.”

In year’s past, the liability amount was $2 million and so the increased amount came as a surprise to the soccer association. It also came with a cost of $450 more for the coverage.

“Our registrations are done,” Blancher told The Leader after the April 11 reply. “If this is a requirement then fine, it’s a requirement, but you have to let people know ahead of time. There was nothing anywhere that I can find that announced this change. The letter was a standard thing we do every year. And our request to close the road is for the safety of the kids, that is why we do it.”

“We purposely budget things down to the wire to keep this program as low cost to the community as possible,” says Blancher. “That is why we are one of the largest programs in the community. We provide a good, length of time program at a low cost.”

Blancher questioned what became of “all of the talk of cutting red tape and making things easier for volunteers working in the community. Last minute changes like this are counter-productive. Ever since we asked that the road be closed it’s been $2 million. The closure saves the municipality, otherwise they would have 400 kids and parents running across the road. It’s done for safety, and it’s done to lower liability.”

“I’m not complaining about the $5 million, but I am complaining about the total lack of communication in this municipality.”

Blancher says the Association is not in bad shape financially, but the money to pay for this unexpected cost will have to be found somewhere. “Registrations are done. Our supplies are ordered, our shirts are ordered, and we are just over a month away from starting.”

Since the soccer association paid the $450 insurance increase to obtain $5 million liability coverage, Blancher has been contacted by Bazinet who has asked for the financial impact the increase will have on the association. In an e-mail dated April 23, he wrote, “I can tell you that any liabilities related to Road Authorities has been moving towards the $5 million mark and our broker has advised us the same. We may be able to do something for this year given the timing of the request.”

And so with everyone apparently back on the same page and working together…it’s game on.

[…]

 

 

The South Dundas Minor Hockey Association has come out of a good year, reported treasurer Pam Mullin at the Association’s annual general meeting last Tuesday, April 8. As a result, all players registering before the July 1 deadline will do so at last year’s rate.

“We ended up in a favourable position this year,” said Mullin of the decision to offer the savings. “We have a little over $4,000 in the bank and over $40,000 in GICs. This gives you a safety net going forward if you want to keep the rates down for a year or two.”

“That is despite the fact that numbers have been declining slightly each year,” she said. “Two years ago, we had 210 players, last year 203 and this year, 198. It hasn’t affected our numbers very much because we have become very smart about how we do things.”

A big factor that helps the association financially is sweater sponsorships. This year, the association received sets of sweaters donated by The Canadian Tire in Morrisburg, Canadian Tire Jumpstart and Harland Veinotte Transport. 

“Our ice rental cost is lower, and that is partly because Jason [Broad] did a good job,” said Mullin. “Jason was aware of where we wanted to be and didn’t book hours at the end of the year for two or three players to show up.”

This year’s total ice rental cost was $74, 665 compared to $78,024 in the 2012/13 season and $83,035 in the 2011/12 season.

The next biggest expense was for referees which this year came in at $16,851 up just slightly over last season’s $16,007. Insurance costs were $6,750 and league fees were $1,896. 

Registration fees from the 198 players brought in $80,578 and $39,800 was raised in the Fundraising Lottery Draw. Lions Day contributed $1,114 to the pot and $828 was made at the Association’s lone tournament (Novice Bs in January). The Association received $1,196 in donations and sponsorships from the community.

While finances look good for this season, Mullin advised the association to stay on top of expenses. She cautioned on the size of coaching staffs as insurance has to be paid on each one.

President Jeff Van Moorsel said the association benefitted this year because the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League and District One, “both had money which they didn’t spend so they lowered their fees.”

However, he warned the $27 per player/coach Insurance Fee is going up to $41. “Only a portion of this ($11) is actually for insurance,” said Van Moorsel. “The rest goes to the ODMHA (now Hockey Eastern Ontario). They are jumping it the $14 because they have entered an arrangement to help pay for a rink in Orleans. It isn’t going to benefit any of our kids, but six or seven of our kids fees will be going to pay our share of the rink in Orleans.” (HEO is running a deficit of $221,574 for the 2013-14 season and listed in their budget expenses is $260,000 for the construction of a new office at the facility.)

Van Moorsel also said he didn’t expect the ice rental fees in South Dundas would increase for next season and cautioned that there are several uncontrollable factors that affect the bottom end.

The main swing comes in ice usage and the biggest factors here are how Christmas and New Years fall, and how many teams and how far they advance in playoffs. If the Christmas holiday cancels weekend ice rental which is a big chunk of ice time, then this results in savings.

“If your insurance costs go up $2,800 ($14 per player) and you have six or seven kids less next year, it doesn’t take long to swing,” said ice scheduler Jason Broad.

Van Moorsel also advised that a vote is coming up at the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League level that if successful will see the regular season schedule go from 24 games to 28.

This will extend the season an extra two weeks into February (about the 21st) before playoffs start. It means that while only four teams will advance to playoffs, overall all of the players will benefit from playing the four extra games. 

Although he did not say how the local association planned to vote he did say, “this is a way to keep all the kids playing hockey in meaningful games until later in February. The way it is now, the season is done February 8, and as an association you still have lots of ice time.” The proposal would add two away and two home games for every team so it will affect the ice budget.

Referee in Chief, Lisa Schwerdfeger reported that “all went well. We had a good season and are now collecting names for new referees. We have yet to see how many are coming back, but we usually take on three or four new officials per season.”

Registrar Jennifer Veldhoven-Kyle reported she is preparing for the upcoming registration at the Morrisburg arena on Saturday, May 3. She expects that two registrations in Iroquois when soccer season starts. 

Fundraising chair Joanne Backes reported that ticket printing and lottery licencing is underway for the annual Lottery Draw, and equipment manager John Connors reported he is still in the process of collecting sweaters.

Ice scheduler, Jason Broad reported, “we fell in under budget and most of the teams got all the ice time they wanted. Over 26 percent of our home games were re-scheduled. It was a lot of work, but we did it.”

1st VP Mike Domanko reported that the association had only one tournament which was successful and profitable. He plans to again submit a request for the January time slot for the upcoming season. Various trophies and plaques have been purchased and engraved, and Domanko is continuing to collate information for returning coaches from the feedback forms.

[…]

 

For the second consecutive year, skaters with the Morrisburg Figure Skate Club skated away with the Region 4 Interclub Competition “points” trophy. This year’s Interclub was hosted by the Hawkesbury Skate Club on Saturday, March 29.

Twenty-three skaters added points to the Morrisburg team total for the club win. 

Following are results:

Canskate Elements:

Stage 3–Kai Morrow silver, Madison Johnson bronze, Peyton Singh silver.

Stage 4–Lilly Napier gold, Grace Morrow silver, Miriam Biemond gold.

Stage 5–Shianne Johnson silver, Emma Morrow silver, Marin Morrow silver, Olivia Chafe, silver.

Stage 6–Hannah Biemond, gold.

Results 1st -3rd place finishes for Similar Pairs:

Introductory Level: Gracie Fairbairn and Madisyn Hart 1st; Jessica Groves and Hannah Warren 2nd.

Pre-preliminary: Mikaela Furo and Xandra Furo 1st.

Preliminary: Regan Belanger and Erika Jordan 1st; Kaitlyn Stewart and Tayler Pilon 2nd.

Junior Bronze: Kristyn Van Hoof and Abigail Jordan 2nd.

Senior Bronze: Abby MacMillan and Alysaa MacMillan 1st.

Open Similar Pairs: Ali Van Hoof and Kendra Buter 2nd.

Results 1st-3rd for Solo Spiral in Various flights:

Pre-preliminary: Mikaela Furo 1st; Abby Smith 2nd; Xandra Furo 2nd.

Preliminary: Olivia Hart 1st; Kaitlyn Stewart 1st.

Junior Bronze: Kristyn Van Hoof 1st; Trina Dykstra-MacPherson 3rd.

Results 1st-3rd for Shadow Skills:

Junior Bronze: Regan Belanger and Erika Jordan 1st.

Senior Bronze: Kaitlyn Stewart and Abigail Jordan 3rd.

Results 1st-3rd Shadow Dance:

Senior Bronze: Kendra Buter, Trina Dykstra-MacPherson 2nd; Kaitlyn Stewart and Abigail Jordan 3rd.

Results 1st-3rd Team Spiral:

Preliminary: Mikaela Furo, Xandra Furo, Abby Smith and Olivia Hart 1st; 

Junior Bronze: Abigail Jordan, Abby MacMillan, Alexis Engwerda and Cameryn Broad 3rd.

Results 1st-3rd Team Spins:

Pre-preliminary: Mikaela Furo, Xandra Furo and Olivia Hart 1st.

Preliminary: Erika Jordan, Reagan Belanger, Kaitlyn Stewart and Tayler Pilon 2nd; Ashley Bouwman and Katie Buter 1st.

Junior Bronze: Abby MacMillan, Abigail Jordan, Alexis Engwerda 1st.

Open: Ali Van Hoof and Alyssa MacMillan 1st.

Results 1st-3rd Team Elements:

Introductory: Hannah Biemond, Jessica Groves, Hannah Warren 3rd; Gracie Fairbairn and Madisyn Hart 2nd.

Pre-Preliminary: Mikaela Furo, Xandra Furo and Olivia Hart 1st.

Preliminary: Tayler Pilon, Kaitlyn Stewart, Erika Jordan and Reagan Belanger 2nd.

Junior Bronze: Alexis Engwerda, Abby MacMillan, Abigail Jordan 1st; Kristyn Van Hoof, Cameryn Broad, Kendra Buter, Trina Dykstra-MacPherson 2nd.

Open: Ali Van Hoof and Alyssa MacMillan 1st.

[…]

 

 “I knew if I surrounded myself with some good coaching talent, we could turn it around. It took us about a month, but we did it,” said  head coach, Mark Evans at the  Morrisburg Junior B wrap-up banquet on Saturday, March 22. “We are looking forward to next year. There are people approaching us and that makes me damn proud.”

“I want to thank Shawn and Dave for their input. I think we are a great team and I couldn’t have done it without you guys,” said Evans as he thanked his coaching staff.

Evans, who started the year as an assistant coach, took over as head coach in November with the team holding a dismal one-win record in 14 games. He then put together a coaching team that included assistants Shawn Blanchard and Dave Veenstra and trainer Dale Lewis. It was an uphill battle from there, but the coaching staff, management and players hung tough, worked on their game plan and by the end of the season were holding their own.

At the banquet, the management and coaching staff, made it clear how proud they were of all of the players for taking it to the end.

This year the team came under the new ownership of Kevin Casselman, Rick Gilmer, Gary Brownlee and Dale Lewis. Speaking on behalf of the management, Kevin Casselman thanked all of the volunteers who helped with everything from music, to timekeeping to fundraising. Volunteers with the team included Jason broad, Jack Bjergso, Chris Harrington, Tracey and Chris Mabo, Rosann Brownlee, Patti Laframboise, Paige Morris, Erein Gilmer, Marilyn Crabtree. Lois Casselman, Bonnie Barkley, Brenda Stitt and Lisa Whelan. 

PIctured is retiring team captain Drew Veenstra with Lions coach Mark Evans. Veenstra was named the team's MVP.

[…]

 

League play at the Morrisburg Curling Club was completed this week, and the results follow: 

The Tuesday night men’s final was won by the team of Larry Cooper, Barry Zeran, Len Bellamy and Bert Smail. 

In the senior men’s last draw, the Fraser Trophy champion team was Al Harriman, Keith Robinson, Bill Laurin and Albert DeJong. The second-place team was Raymond Benoit, Doug Jarvis, Paul Dobry and Earl Jeacle, and third place went to Peter Zeran, Arnold Barkley, Fred Langlotz and Bob Bechard. 

The day ladies, the Wednesday night ladies, and the Friday night mixed leagues don’t declare winners, so there are no results for them. They do enjoy their outings to the fullest, though.

The final for the Thursday night competitive league was played after the closing banquet on Saturday night. The two teams had been through playoffs on Monday and Tuesday nights in this very well-balanced league, and the game we saw was close and well-played. 

A few players were unable to make it to the game, but they were ably-replaced for the match. Larry Cooper, Chris and Nancy Barkley and Josh Laurin competed with Mahlon Locke, Wendy Casselman, Joe McCooeye and Kathy Norg for the club championship. The game could have gone either way, with shots that wouldn’t have looked out of place against teams we’ve been watching on television. Larry’s team edged Mahlon’s and we can only hope that next year’s final will be as exciting to watch

Before Saturday’s banquet, all present were invited to try their skills in three competitions. In the one for the “best putt”, Anjo Norg took home the prize money, the “draw through the port” was won by Peter Zeran, and Rick Mackenzie was victorious in the “hit and roll.”

The closing bonspiel was an all-day affair, and the first draw saw Jack Barkley, Kathy Johnston, Kathy Killick and Eleanor Allison emerge victorious, with honourable mentions to runner-ups Keith Robinson, Paul Gunther, Bob Bechard and Fred Langois. In the late draw, Wendy Casselman, Rick Mackenzie, Jeff Trumble and Daryl McDonell won, with Sam Locke, Carolyn Beckstead, Paula Locke and Mark Mcdonald placing second. Very good play was in evidence for these final matches in the bonspiel season.

In the business meeting, Jack Barkley thanked Mahlon Locke for his three years’ service as president. Mahlon then took charge of the agenda, and indicated that he would end his term in September, closing out some unfinished business concerning the grants for the club. 

The club house and the rink are in very good shape, and with any luck, no major replacements or repairs will be needed for some time. 

Mahlon invited those interested to inform him or other executive members of names, theirs or others, interested in assisting on the board or the social committee. 

A rummage sale is planned for the long weekend when the town holds garage sales, rentals over the summer are welcomed, and the last executive meeting before the new curling season will be held in the week before registration.

The banquet followed, with the delicious turkey dinner enjoyed by all. Our thanks to the chef, who also prepares meals at the golf club, and her volunteers, who looked after over 70 people in the lounge.

Finally, a team of our ladies were in Ottawa last week at the Navy club for their bonspiel. Gretta McGann, Betty Locke, Sharon Van Allen and Linda Murphy did battle with an Ottawa club and then one from the R.A. after lunch, losing tight matches.

We hope to see you all back at the club in early October. Watch for the announcement of registration night in the Morrisburg Leader in September. 

 

[…]

 

The Seaway District High School senior girls volleyball team made school history last Thursday when they claimed the EOSSAA championship in a wildly exciting match with the Embrun Panthers.

“The championship game was the best I’ve seen the girls play together as a team all season,” said elated coach Lindsay Waddell. 

It was a tough battle from start to finish with seldom more than a handful of points separating the Spartans and the Panthers as they battled for the championship.

For Seaway, it was a huge team effort that saw them sweep the match with 25-20 and 24-21 wins.

“We were confident in our skills,” said Waddell. “But Embrun is a very strong team. They won gold at OFSAA in 2011 and 2012 and were the number one overall seed at OFSAA in 2013. “I think my girls were intimidated at first, but they had the drive and the confidence that they could beat them.”

“I give Embrun a lot of credit, they are a very strong team and gave us a real fight. But my girls just seemed to really want it.”

“We were very sound, defensively. The girls dug up everything that Embrun threw at them, and made some strong offensive plays when needed.”

Waddell credited her entire team for a great day of ball and a great team effort. Members of the team include Kaitlyn Geurkink, Tiffany Roskell, Casey McNairn, Shannon van Moorsel, Jessica Hartle, Katrina Geurkink, Sophia Currier, Ali VanHoof and Allison Lee.

She says she had some big efforts from several of her veterans, including Currier (setter and co-captain) “who really leads by example. We wouldn’t be the same team without Sophia. There is no ball that is out of her reach, and she always puts us in a position to have an attack.”

Kaitlyn Geurkink (middle) also had a very strong game. Kaitlyn had some big blocks against Embrun’s best players, and had some kills that put us in a position to win both sets.”

“Casey McNairn, our right side hitter and our co-captain also gave a very strong defensive performance. Casey was all over the court, and was willing to sacrifice her body at any given moment to dig up a ball.”

A big game was played by Jessica Hartle, who is “always a positive influence on the team”.

“Embrun is an extremely good team, and I am so proud of all of my girls. They pushed hard all day and gave it everything they had. They deserve to be EOSSAA champs. I’m excited to see what they can do at OFSAA.”

Playing in the B pool, Seaway had a strong round robin performance. 

The wiped out Athens 25-8 and 25-7, and then easily handled Renfrew 25-11 and 25-20. In the B pool’s third game Renfrew defeated Athens in three sets to finish in second spot.

In the A pool, Embrun also went undefeated with 25-10 and 25-8 wins against Almonte and 25-18 and 25-10  wins Granite Ridge. Granite took the other win over Almonte in three sets.

For the semi-finals Seaway (A pool) played second place Granite (B pool) and defeated them quite handily 25-14 and 25-6, while Embrun had a bit tougher time against Renfrew (2nd A pool) but ended up winning in two sets 25-8 and 28-26.

The Spartans will travel to Richmond Hill, March 3-5, to compete in the Ontario Championship.

In other action last week, coach Lilace McIntyre took her junior Spartans to EOSSAA in Deep River last week missing two of her starters due to academic commitments.

As a result the Junior Spartans did not get the results they had hoped for. They had a really rough time against Renfrew Collegiate losing both sets, and although they played better against Marie Rivier, Kingston, again they lost both sets.

Both the Junior and Senior girls teams won the SD&G championships two weeks ago.

[…]

 

Sunday afternoon the CanSkate skaters of the Morrisburg and District Skate Club wrapped up their season with a gala ice cream party and awards presentation ceremony.

As each of the young skaters now hang up their skates until next fall, along with their skates each will be hanging up a medal earned this past season.

The afternoon of fun and ice cream also provided the opportunity for the club to recognize some individual accomplishments.

The success of the CanSkate program hinges heavily on the volunteer work of the club’s intermediate and senior skaters.

The Morrisburg Club has a very talented and dedicated pool of PAs and each year, one is acknowledged as PA of the Year. After each of the PAs was recognized the winner of this year’s award, which recognizes the PA for the assistance provided to the young skaters and club coaches was announces.

The PA of the year is an excellent role model, is dependable, enthusiastic and is a team player who shows unwavering devotion to the skate, said Ellen Biemond in making the presentation to Kaitlyn Stewart.

The afternoon’s festivities were handled by Biemond who is the Morrisburg Club’s CanSkate chair. She thanked everyone for the wonderful effort put forward for the club’s ice show the night before. 

In particular she thanked Sandra Scott, who not only works with the very beginners in the CanSkate program each year, taking them from their sprawled positions on the ice to little skaters by year end skate show, but who is instrumental in putting together the show, in particular the costumes that are always so delightful.

Biemond also thanked the den dads and moms for their help at the show and all those who helped with costumes. Special mention was given to the Mickey and Minnie dads who entertained at the show.

Recognized as this year’s CanSkater of the Year was Emma Morrow. This Skate Canada Athletic Award is presented each year to a CanSkater skater, 8 years and under. 

As recipient of the award Emma was recognized for her self-confidence, determination and her positive attitude, as well as for demonstrating natural ability/talent coupled with a passion for skating. She skater is eager to learn new skills and to improve and participates fully in all activities.

The final awards for the CanSkate Year were the Skate Canada CanSkate Champion Awards which go to skaters who demonstrate the qualities that embody the “spirt of a champions”…determination, discipline, perseverance and a positive attitude.

This year’s Spirit Awards went to CanSkaters Abigail Smail and Lilly Napier. Both embody the quality considered to be the essence of skating, commitment, perseverance and dedication.

[…]