Sports

“There were  63 teams taking part at the 2015 EOSSA track and field competition held at Thousand Islands Secondary School in Brockville May 21-22,” said track coach, Mark Lewis. “Seaway ended up 14th in the team standings. We sent just 13 participants. For that many athletes to go to EOSSA and do so well is really impressive.”

The Seaway team numbers may be small, but there is little doubt that they are ‘mighty’. The results of the two days of competition tell the story.

David Swerdfeger took first in the Men’s 300 Meter Hurdles Midget,  (43.78), first in Men’s Triple Jump Midget (12.05m) and fifth in Men’s Long Jump Midget.

“David had another great day. He won the hurdles Thursday night by 30 meters or 3 seconds, which is a lot,” said Lewis. 

“He won the triple jump very, very convincingly with a jump of 12.05 m. And he was one centimeter off his personal best in the long jump. He simply had a really big day out there.”

Maggie Wells had outstanding results in her events. She placed second in Shot Put Junior (11.22 m), and third in discus throw junior (30.55m). 

Grant Wells qualified in 1500 Meter Midget (4:36:68) and 3000 Meter Midget (10:00:39). “Grant ran his personal best in both those events,” said Lewis. 

One surprise for coaches Lewis and Lindsay Waddell (described as a “track coach extraordinaire” by Lewis) was Sid Sideratos’ showing in Men’s Shot Put Midget. He placed second with 12.61m. 

“Sid actually posted a personal best of a half meter,” said Mark Lewis.

Julenea Barnhartd placed fourth in Women’s Long Jump Midget (4.42m) while Jaycie Maville came 6th in Women’s Shot Put Midget (9.6m).

Kaitlyn Stewart was 5th in Women’s Long Jump Junior  (4.55m) and third in Women’s Triple Jump Junior (10.24m)

Cassie Hummel placed third in Women’s Javelin Throw Junior (25.48m).

“I was really impressed with how these kids competed,” said Lewis. “They had a competitive mind set, they focussed on technique and they went out there and did what they had to do. We had these great results up and down the board.”

Seaway is sending eight athletes to the eastern Regionals May 28-29, also at TISS. 

If they are successful, four could move on to OFSSA competition: the stakes for Seaway are high.

“We have some kids who I feel have a good shot,” said coach Lewis. “Our kids are young and they listen. They are focussed on technique and on race strategy, and they go out there and get the job done. They’ve ‘overcome’ a lot of coaching this year,” he added laughing.

[…]

If spring alone wasn’t enough of a reason for a bicycle tune-up, the Children’s Treatment Centre’s major annual fundraiser should provide some extra motivation.

The Bike-A-Thon Plus will be back for a sixth year in Dundas county on May 23, with activities in both townships that will raise money for the agency that depends solely on community donations to provide its essential services.

Though headquartered in Cornwall, the Children’s Treatment Centre provides counselling for abused children throughout the United Counties as well as Akwesasne. 

The Centre offers assessment and ongoing treatment to families who have been impacted by sexual, emotional or physical abuse, and also works to prevent these traumas in the first place.

Since its launch in 1996, nearly 2,300 children from over 1,900 families have been cared for by professional psychologist, psychiatrist and counsellors at the Children’s Treatment Centre.

Dundas county alone has made over 215 referrals to the Centre, and for the last few years has also made direct financial contributions to keep its doors open. 

“The Dundas chapter of the Bike-A-Thon Plus – which began in Cornwall three decades ago and has since become the second largest fundraiser for the Centre – has raised between $5,000 and $9,000 for the Centre each year” said Doug Grenkie, a Coordinator of the event.

Both North and South Dundas townships will have events on Saturday, May 23, including a bike and walk.

Participants can begin registering at 10 a.m. at the Lions Pavilion, Winchester Arena or North Dundas High School. Walkers will head out from the high school around noon, with both cyclists and walkers heading to the Chesterville Fairgrounds for a barbecue at 1 p.m.

Those participating in the southern township will start and finish at the Morrisburg Docksyde, which will also be the place for refreshments in the afternoon.

Pledge forms are available in Morrisburg at the law office of Gorrell, Grenkie & Remillard, in Chesterville at the law office of Cass, Grenkie & Remillard and at the Children’s Treatment Centre in Cornwall. Those who raise $30 or more will receive a t-shirt or magnet, as well as draw tickets for every $10 in donations to win various prizes including cash. 

For additional information, contact event coordinators Doug Grenkie in South Dundas at 613-543-2922, or Natasha Hodge in North Dundas at 613-774-3978.

[…]

If spring alone wasn’t enough of a reason for a bicycle tune-up, the Children’s Treatment Centre’s major annual fundraiser should provide some extra motivation.

The Bike-A-Thon Plus will be back for a sixth year in Dundas county on May 23, with activities in both townships that will raise money for the agency that depends solely on community donations to provide its essential services.

Though headquartered in Cornwall, the Children’s Treatment Centre provides counselling for abused children throughout the United Counties as well as Akwesasne. 

The Centre offers assessment and ongoing treatment to families who have been impacted by sexual, emotional or physical abuse, and also works to prevent these traumas in the first place.

Since its launch in 1996, nearly 2,300 children from over 1,900 families have been cared for by professional psychologist, psychiatrist and counsellors at the Children’s Treatment Centre.

Dundas county alone has made over 215 referrals to the Centre, and for the last few years has also made direct financial contributions to keep its doors open. 

“The Dundas chapter of the Bike-A-Thon Plus – which began in Cornwall three decades ago and has since become the second largest fundraiser for the Centre – has raised between $5,000 and $9,000 for the Centre each year” said Doug Grenkie, a Coordinator of the event.

Both North and South Dundas townships will have events on Saturday, May 23, including a bike and walk.

Participants can begin registering at 10 a.m. at the Lions Pavilion, Winchester Arena or North Dundas High School. Walkers will head out from the high school around noon, with both cyclists and walkers heading to the Chesterville Fairgrounds for a barbecue at 1 p.m.

Those participating in the southern township will start and finish at the Morrisburg Docksyde, which will also be the place for refreshments in the afternoon.

Pledge forms are available in Morrisburg at the law office of Gorrell, Grenkie & Remillard, in Chesterville at the law office of Cass, Grenkie & Remillard and at the Children’s Treatment Centre in Cornwall. Those who raise $30 or more will receive a t-shirt or magnet, as well as draw tickets for every $10 in donations to win various prizes including cash. 

For additional information, contact event coordinators Doug Grenkie in South Dundas at 613-543-2922, or Natasha Hodge in North Dundas at 613-774-3978.

[…]

 

Morrisburg and District figure skater, Alexis Engwerda added yet another award to a successful season on Sunday, May 3, when she was named the Eastern Ontario Section Program Assistant of the Year at the annual awards gala held in Kingston.

“Alexis has had an incredibly exciting and successful skating season,” says her professional skate coach, Allison Scott. “And her latest achievement of Program Assistant of the Year for the Eastern Ontario Section is the ‘icing on the cake’ so to speak.”

Since the spring of 2014, Engwerda has earned her Gold Skills, passed seven dances and a junior silver freeskate test and half of her senior silver freeskate. She was the silver medalist at the Eastern Ontario Championships and then Champion at the All-Ontario.

Still on the ice, but now giving back to her favourite sport and the young skaters in the Morrisburg and District Figure Skate program, Engwerda was chosen by her club for the Program Assistant Award for her “unwavering devotion and selfless commitment to teaching the younger skaters twice a week on the club Canskate program.”

She was also nominated by her club for the award at the Section level.

“This is a remarkable achievement and exciting for the club to have someone recognized at the Section level,” said Scott. 

The Eastern Ontario Section Achievement Awards pay tribute to athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers who make a significant impact to figure skating.

Engwerda and the award winners from throughout Eastern Ontario were piped into the Vimy Officer’s mess, CFB Kingston and served lunch before receiving their awards.

Alaine Chartrand, Canadian National Senior Women’s silver medallist, who has been training with some local skaters during the spring season in Cardinal, was also present and recognized for her successful season. She spoke of her adventures and challenges of the past year.

[…]

 

Shot put specialist Maggie Wells was back in form, and jumper Kaitlyn Stewart was on top of her game at the National Capital High School Track and Field Classic run over two days at the Terry Fox Athletic fields at Mooney Bay Park on Thursday and Friday, May 7-8.

Wells won the midget girls shot put Friday, with a throw of 11.92m, well up from her third place 10.88m throw at the Thousand Island Meet two weeks ago and Stewart won open triple jump with a 10.12m jump, just slightly under her winning jump of 10.45m at TISS. Well’s other specialty, discus, was not offered at the Classic due to renovations being made to the throwing area.

Due to the high volume of athletes (over 1,500 in the last few years), this year’s Classic was run over two days and offered identical competition.

Midget athlete David Swerdfeger had another successful meet with a first in the 300m hurdles (46.14 seconds) and a pair of seconds in long jump (5.35m) and triple jump open (11.75m).

Sid Sideratos took second in high jump with a 1.50m jump (winner jumped 1.55m), and third in shot put with an 11.29m throw (12,88m won it). This was down from his 12.14m throw at TISS.

Kaeghan Lowson picked up ribbons in midget boys javelin and 300m hurdles. 

Down just slightly from his fifth place 32.45m throw at Thousands Island, he placed second in javelin at 32.03m. A 39.54m throw won the event.

Lowson was third in the 300m hurdles (50.29 seconds) and ran the 400m ninth at 1:01.40 shaving just under two minutes off his TISS time.

Also at the midget level, Shawn Dowson was fourth in high jump (1.50m). He was ninth in shot put with a 9.83m throw.

Rounding out the boys team was junior athlete, Kyle Ault who ran the 200m in 27.38 seconds and the 400 in 1:00.96 to place 10th and 14th respectively.

On the girls team, Cassie Hummel improved her pb throw of 27.60m thrown at TISS two weeks ago with a 27.67m. This gave her third place in junior javelin. (Winning throw 29.54m).

The junior girls had six athletes competing including Wells and Hummel.

Kaitlyn Stewart, along with her triple jump win, had a fourth place long jump finish at 4.45m down. The win went in 4.64m.

Izzy Burrell jumped 8.71m for a seventh place triple jump finish in the open division and was 11th in long jump with a 3.97m jump.

Quinn Horne and Holly Connolly-MacDonald ran the junior girls 100 and 200m races. Horne was ninth in the 200 with a time of 30.21 seconds and 11th in the 100 at 14.43 seconds. Connolly-MacDonald finished well back with a time of 17.47 in the 100 and 38.67 in the 200m.

Midget high jumper, Taylor Sharpley was fourth at 1.30m. She ran the 200m at 30.47 time.

The lone senior athlete was Ashley Whitteker who ran the 100 (12th at 14.83) and 200m (13th at 32.66). 

The Seaway Track Team is in Cornwall today, Wednesday, May 13 for the SD&G Meet.

[…]

 

It appears the Seaway District High School Track and Field team is back on track, with a good number of athletes at the midget and junior ages out working hard for the last two to three weeks. 

And their work paid off at the annual TISS Track and Field Meet here Saturday, with two athletes, Kaitlyn Stewart and David Swerdfeger picking up first and seconds, Cassie Hummel winning one first, and Sid Sideratos and Shawn Dowson collecting second place finishes.

Several others were not far off the pace, and says Mark Lewis, who is co-coaching the Spartan team with Lindsay Waddell,  “They are all improving. It is good. Our team number is better than it’s been in the past, and I would say, looking at the weekend, they are the best results we have had in years.”

The team is heavily weighted at the midget and junior levels, a good sign for the future. There are no athletes competing at the senior level this year.

Top performers Saturday were Stewart and Swerdfeger. 

Stewart won the junior girls triple jump with a 10.45m jump, well ahead of the second place finisher at 9.72 m. She was just narrowly edged out of the long jump win with her jump of 4.67m. (The winner jumped just 4.68m). Stewart also ran the 100 meter dash, with a time of 14 seconds to qualify, but finished well back in the final.

David Swerdfeger had big results in the midget boys triple jump, with his winning jump of 12.12m. It was a new personal best, which shattered his previous PB of 11.81m. Swerdfeger, who has been competing since grade 7  and has been undefeated in all that time, said too that the extra pressure was that, “I scratched on my first two jumps.”  He backed up his triple jump win with a second place long jump (5.42m). The event was won in 5.48m. Swerdfeger also ran the 100m hurdles and finished fourth with a time of 17.13 seconds.

Cassie Hummel was back in action in junior girls javelin, and absolutely demolished her previous best throw of 22.00m with a first place throw of 27.60m.  She was clearly ahead of the pack with the second place competitor throwing 25.52 m. Hummel also threw discuss, but an 11.59m throw place her well back. She expects to concentrate on javelin this season.

Also at the midget age level, Sid Sideratos collected second place in shot put with a 12.14m throw, not far back of the 12.27 winning throw. He ran his 100m heat, in 13.71 seconds.

Shawn Dowson had solid performances in discus and high jump. He placed second in junior boys discus with a 31.30m throw and was fifth in high jump with a 1.50m jump. He finished well back in shot put at 9.30m.

Turning in a solid meet performance was Maggie Wells, who finished the 2014 season ranked sixth in Ontario in midget girls discus. Saturday, Wells threw a third place shot at 10.88m and was fourth in discus at 27.11m. “Maggie will get better as we go,” said Lewis of her early season start.

Finishing out the junior girl athletes are Quinn Horne and Holly Connolly-MacDonald, both of whom did not advance out of their 100m heats. Horne ran her heat at 14.72 and Connolly-MacDonald ran her’s in 18.33. She also ran the 200m in a time of 37.72.

Getting their feet wet at the midget are Kaeghan Lowson, Grant Wells, Jaycie Maville, Julenea Barnhartd, Kaileigh Vautour and Sydney Piquette.

Lowson, in his first time throwing Javelin, placed fifth with a throw of 32.45m. He ran the 400m, finishing well back in the pack at 1:03.27.

Distance runner, Grant Wells, who had some big results for the Spartans Cross-Country team last fall, was fifth in the 1500m (4:44.89) and sixth in the 3000 (10:16.56). He wasn’t far off in the winning mark of either race with the 1500m going in 4:30.95 and the 3000 in 10:00.13.

Maville and Vautour both ran the 100m but did not move out of their qualifiers with times of 15.25 and 15.30 respectively. Maville threw a seventh place finish in shot put with a 9.39m throw.

Barnhartd ran the 200m in 28.94 seconds and finished fourth in long jump with a jump of 4.39m.

Piquette ran the 800m with a time of 3:04.38

This Friday, the Spartans are in Ottawa and next Wednesday, May 13, they head to Cornwall for the SD&G championship. Qualifiers at the SD&G advance to the Eastern Ontario. 

[…]

 

The weather was just about perfect and the fish were definitely biting as 123 anglers took part in the 4th annual Garry Banford Memorial Fishing Derby. Fishing began just after midnight on May 3, with the final weigh-in at the Iroquois marina at 2 p.m.

The Pike and Pickerel Derby was organized by Bruce Mullin, with his wife Pam recording the vital stats. Fishermen had the opportunity to enjoy a hearty fish and chips, sausage and coleslaw dinner served up by Brian Dawley and Ronnie Baker and their helpers after a long day on the rivers and local creeks.

While a lot of fish stories were undoubtedly being exchanged at the dock, the fishermen, and this year, one fisherwoman, Heather Irvine, eagerly awaited final results as Bruce Mullin weighed each pike or walleye in.

Ernie Beckstead’s 13.95 pound pike came in first, with Tanner Hummel (9.10 lbs) second and Steve McMillan (8.97 lbs.) third.

Shawn Lapier took top honours with a 10.82 walleye, with Ron Baker’s 9.61 fish and Scott Cooke’s 9.39 walleye placing second and third. 

The two first place winners each took home $500, while second place finishers each won $100. (Ron Baker turned his win back to the SDHS bursary fund.)

Cory Casselman had the Hidden Weight win, closest to 7.12 lbs pike.

The funds raised at the annual fishing derby go to support a bursary, in memory of Garry, at Seaway District High School.

Beckstead and Lapier shared some fishing tips. 

“My secret?” Ernie said. “Live bait and Nash Creek in Morrisburg. My son Marc as my net man and wearing my lucky striped socks all day also contributed.”

“It’s all in the wrist action,” Shawn said. “You also have to have a good net man, and, for me, borrowed tackle works best.”

“I think this entire event is a wonderful tribute to Garry’s memory,” said Ann Banford, who took part in the derby along with several family members. “And I am proud that the money supports a bursary at the high school.”

She praised the hard work and dedication of Derby organizer, Bruce Mullin. “He did an outstanding job. And I also want to thank all the fishermen who supported us. We lucked out with the weather. Lots of friends came in to cook and help in any way: we didn’t have to ask anybody twice. 

It was just a great day for everyone.”

“Any day with Garry was a great day,” added Danny McLaughlin who was helping barbecue.

[…]

 

It has been confirmed that the Morrisburg Junior Lions will be back on the ice this fall, as they skate into their first season with the National Capital Junior Hockey League (NCJHL).

President/general manager Kevin Casselman has announced that the Lions have been accepted into the National Capital League for the upcoming season.

“We are excited to continue to offer junior hockey in Morrisburg,” says Casselman, who says he was notified of the Lions acceptance through an e-mail from league president Ian McRae, immediately following a Monday, April 20 league meeting.

The e-mail reads, “Morrisburg Lions were accepted with a vote of 9-0. Welcome aboard.”

Also in the e-mail it was announced the NCJHL will play in two divisions, a South Division which will include the Morrisburg Lions with teams from Embrun, North Dundas, St. Isidore and Vankleek Hill. 

The North Division will include La Peche, Papineauville, Cumberland and Rockland.

According to the e-mail, “each team will play three home and three away games in its division and one home and one away against the other division. Protected areas will be minor hockey base for Morrisburg.”

“As was mentioned it was a unanimous vote of 9-0 from the league teams for our acceptance, which is really encouraging,” says Casselman.

According to Casselman, the Lions management is in the process of finalizing everything from last season. “We will be sitting down over the next couple weeks to close up outstanding business within the Rideau-St. Lawrence conference and following that we will be closing up affairs and business with the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey league.”

Casselman expects team management to be busy over the next months with the plans for talks with eligible returning players, coaching staff, team volunteers and graduating midget players and local minor hockey associations.

“We will try our best to reach out to everyone with our plans,” says Casselman. “If anyone has questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly. We welcome the opportunity to discuss our visions and objectives.”

[…]

 

The 43rd season got underway at the Cedar Glen Golf Course last Thursday, April 16, when the first men’s night play got underway.

Although not a big field, the weather was nice for the first men’s night which was won by Kurtis Barkley with a 35 in A flight. Greg VanDellan got the nod for the A flight low net award. 

In B flight, it was Lawrence Larocque with the win with a 41, while Sandy Jonhston led C flight with a 45. Low net in C flight was won by Peter Elliott.

Ladies nights will start tonight, April 22 and the men will be back in action Thursday, April 23. Tee-offs begin for both at 3 p.m.

The course is drying up nicely and some warm rains forecast on and off for the rest of the week will help get things growing and greening. Work continues on the new tee on number two, which, when put in play is going to make for a much different drive for the men. The greens weathered the cold winter well and also are in need of some warm weather and rain.

The clubhouse is open daily to welcome all members back, so drop by for a game and/or visit. Memberships can be paid at the clubhouse.

Coming up in May, for those of you who are finding your game a bit rusty, there are three planned afternoon/evening golf clinics with CPGA pro Phil Rankin. 

The one-hour Clinics are scheduled for Wednesdays, May 6, 13, 20 with maximum groups of eight. Women can sign up at $20 per hour, from 4-5 or 5-6 p.m. and the junior clinics will run from 6 – 7 p.m. on each of the nights. Cost for the juniors is $10.

[…]

 

The Morrisburg Golf Course opened this past Friday, April 17, and is in great shape. The greens wintered well, and the whole course is benefitting from this week’s rain. 

The food operation at the club gets underway this Friday night, April 24 with the first Friday night wing night (and other food specials).

The ladies can get out their clubs and shine them up for the first ladies night scheduled for next Wednesday night, April 29. The first men’s night is set for April 30. There are no sponsors for the two nights and members and guests are invited to come out, get in some play and enjoy some camaraderie.

The clubhouse is now open and those wanting to sign up for their memberships can stop by.

The first major club event of the season is the Home Hardware sponsored mixed two-ball tournament on Saturday, June 6. Lots of time to get the game together.

[…]