Sports

 

Running on a cold, wet rainy day, on a slippery, wet, hilly course with a separated shoulder maybe isn’t the way Seaway High cross country runner Grant Wells planned to finish the 2014 season, but those were the condition and finish he did. 

Wells ran in the OFSAA Cross Country championship in Waterloo, Ontario on November 1st, where he placed 42nd in a race that included 251 runners from across Ontario. It was a huge accomplishment to end a hugely successful cross country season.

A grade nine student at Seaway District High School, Wells began cross country running last year when he was a grade 8 intermediate student at Seaway.

“Mr. [Robin] Gibbs needed someone for Seaway’s Grade 8 Intermediate boys team [last year], and he asked me. I never thought I would run cross-country, but I did and in my first meet in Brockville I got a seventh.”

Wells’ current high school midget coach, Lilace McIntyre explains that the Seaway’s Intermediate School team had only three boys for his age group last year. “So Mr. Gibbs dragged Grant out, and he finished better than the others who had been training.”

This past summer, Grant trained with Bob Tucker and the Brockville Legion Track and Field Club in Brockville. “They train half the season for track and half for cross-country. I went two days per week, and they really make you work. It gives you lots of exercise.”

McIntyre, who co-coaches Seaway’s X-Country team with Tracy Henderson and Sharon Last, says Grant by far led this year’s team. “We have about a dozen really committed runners, and we have some good talent. Grant was our most successful runner.”

The Seaway team did one meet per week during the Cross Country season, with Grant putting up some big finishes.

They included a win in midget boys at the St. Michael High School’s Turkey Trot in Kemptville on Thursday, October 9 and a win at the SD&G meet hosted by Holy Trinity in Cornwall on Wednesday, October 15th.

He ran to a second place finish in the Kingston Invitational, and placed sixth at EOSSAA  (October 23) to qualify for the  All-Ontario, 5 km OFSAA event in Waterloo, Ontario, last Saturday, November 1.

Just prior to heading to OFSAA, Wells separated his shoulder playing hockey. Despite the painful injury, he ran OFSAA and all was going really well until he slipped in some mud and fell on the injury.

“I finished it though. I figured it was better to finish than not to come in at all.”

Wells ran the difficult OFSAA course in Waterloo for a 42nd place finish with a time of 19:00.4. The course was very hilly and wet; the day was very wet and windy and it started with snow flurries in the morning.

Wells says he really enjoyed the cross country season. “It was really nice. I met runners from all areas in Eastern Ontario, and after awhile you get to know the competitors. OFSAA was a really good experience, and I hope to go there again.”

Grant runs daily and expects to continue training throughout the winter to prepare for the 2015 track and field season.

“If he continues to train, even just running on his own, we should be looking for a good track season and good results,” says MacIntyre.

[…]

 

The Morrisburg Lions continued to roar through their Eastern Ontario Junior B Hockey action this past weekend, this time with a 5-2 win over the Winchester Hawks, right in Hawk town on Saturday night.

The Lions were first on the scoreboard at 10:25 of the first period with a Justin Lefevbre goal assisted by Zack Renfrew and Cole Fowler. 

Their advantage held until 17:31, when Steve Ray Adams put one past Lions goaltender Keiran Weir to even it at a goal apiece.

The Hawks got their second (and final) goal on their power play from Mason Durant at 2:40 of the second period to take a 2-1 edge.

But then it was the Lions taking charge with two goals, both on their power play.

Cole Fowler tied the game 2-2 at 9:21 with help from Landon Veenstra and Michael Paquette, and Brodie Barkley made it 3-2, Lions at 10:01 with Michael Paquette and Fowler providing the assists.

The Lions held on to their one goal edge until 4:08 into the third period when Jacob Kendrick counted unassisted to stretch it to a more comfortable two-goal advantage.

Justin Rutley polished it off, with help from Eric Evans and Paquette at 17:24, and the Lions tightened it up to claim their first victory over the Hawks this season, 5-2.

The Hawks out shot the Lions 38-31. Brandon Lowry was in net for the Hawks loss and Weir collected the win for the Lions.

The Lions sat out 14 minutes on seven penalties, and the Hawks drew 22 minutes on seven infraction (one game misconduct). 

Coming up, the Lions will take on the Casselman Vikings in a home and home series. 

Thursday night, November 6 they are in Casselman to take on the Vikings and Saturday night, November 8, play resumes in Morrisburg. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

[…]

 

The South Dundas Lions held on to their share of first place in the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League’s Novice B House division here Saturday, with a 5-2 victory over the South Grenville Ranger 2s.

Five games into the season, the Lions are tied with North Dundas 1s for the East Division’s top spot with six points. 

The two have identical three win-two loss records as they head into this week’s action.

This week the two North Dundas teams will square off, and the Lions are on the road this Saturday, November 8 to play the west division Athens Aeros.

Saturday in Cardinal, the Lions went up 2-0 in the first period, and increased it to 3-0 in the second.

The Rangers regrouped and came out strong for a pair of early third period counters, but it wasn’t enough to catch up. The Lions collected another two for the 5-2 win.

Nick Connors started off a three-goal performance (and five-point game) with an unassisted counter early in the first period. 

Less than a minute later Ben Radley made it 2-0, with help from Connors.

Connors scored goal number two, unassisted, at the midway mark of the third period to give the Lions a 3-0 advantage.

Connor Poulin and Daniel Murphy made the Lions sit up and take notice early in the third period when they closed the gap to 3-2.

But that was it for the Rangers, and the Lions answered back with goals from Caleb Machan (from Connors) and Connors, assisted by Mason Hummel.

Aiden Hutt was in goal for the Lions win.

[…]

 

The bonspiel season is upon us again, and the best one we’ve had so far is the Lions’ bonspiel in aid of the Dundas County Hospice, held last Saturday. It was well-organized and a great success, thanks to Lion Keith Robinson, and his Morrisburg Lions’ committee. The Morrisburg Lions entered a team, as did the Iroquois club. Many local businesses donated items for a silent auction and bidding for those was intense. In deference to some infrequent curlers’ muscles, both games were six-end affairs, with a delicious luncheon prepared and served by the Lion ladies between games, to build up the curlers’ strength for the afternoon finale. Both local groups do a great deal for their communities, and we are lucky to have these small groups of individuals among us. They contribute financially and in other ways out of all proportion to their numbers. Thousands of dollars last Saturday and on other occasions were passed on to the Hospice by the Morrisburg Lions.

      Reporting on the curling results, the first draw was won by the Oddfellows foursome, skipped by John Toonders, and featuring Dave McIntosh, and Don and Laurie Lazenby. They pulled out a victory in the championship game, defeating the Iroquois Lions team of Betty Locke, Rick McKenzie, Jim Locke and Les Craig. In the second draw, Anjo Norg skipped his team to the title, with help from his wife Kathy, and Sam and Claire Locke. Anjo excelled under pressure, making several key shots to win the match, defeating Greta McGann, Penny Davidson, Mick Mabo and Linda Murphy in the championship match.

     On Wednesday, two of our ladies’ teams were at the R.A. Centre in Ottawa for their bonspiel. Alice Thompson, Betty Locke, Sharon Van Allen and Sandra Beckstead won their morning game against Granite, enjoyed an exceptional lunch, and had a good match against a Navy foursome, although they went down to defeat. Our ladies did finish fifth of twelve teams, however. Our other ladies, Susan McIntosh, Kathy Norg, Joanne Baker and Claire Locke won their morning match against City View but dropped their afternoon battle against a strong Russell team.

      On Friday Greta took a team to the Kemptville arena ice site for their one-game bonspiel. She and Penny Davidson, Yvonne Mabo and Linda Murphy won their contest against Perth, finishing third on the day.

     In other news, Susan McIntosh is holding the first of her two-person bonspiels on Sunday, November 16. Early sign-ups are recommended. Also, there will be a stick bonspiel here on November 19, with Glenn Cougler the contact. There will be entries from other clubs, so register early.

      On Saturday, November 5, the Gamble, (two men and two women) is being played in Winchester this year. Russell and Metcalfe will join us there, and we will have two teams entered. Sign up at the club lounge if interested. 

      Finally, the Thursday morning mixed curlers are hosting Russell here on November 26, and we will be allowed three teams for the match. Details are available at the club.

      That’s it for now. Good curling to all!

[…]

 

The score was the least of the concern for the Novice C Lions on Saturday, as they watched promising defenceman, Aeden Norris, be carried off the ice with a possible season-ending lower body injury.  

In what looked to be a routine play at centre ice, the gritty Norris, fell awkwardly, bringing a hush to the crowd in Kemptville.

The game would play out after the injury with a Lions loss to the hosting Kemptville 2s. 

The loss of the young defenceman was still felt the following day as the Lions’ dressing room was solemn prior to face-off.  Friend and teammate, Jordan Lowe, confirmed with coaching staff that he had spoke to Norris, and that he was told to score a goal for him.

The feisty Kemptville 1 team came out hard as the Lions seemed to be still reeling from the loss 24 hours earlier.  

Stand-out goalie, Brogan Kyle, fresh off a conditioning stint turned the opposition aside time and again as his team looked to find some motivation in a game that would end, tied 2-2. 

That motivation came from Lowe. During the first intermission he approached the coaches to move back to defence to honour and fill the void left by his friend’s injury.

That was just the spark the Lions needed.  

With Lowe anchoring the defensive quadrant, Callum Deavey broke free of a checker in his own end, only to skate the length of the ice and bury the shot behind the Panthers netminder for a 1-0 Lions lead. 

The action was intense from this point on as the home squad applied the pressure.

Unfortunately the Lions faltered for a few shifts in the third, allowing the Panthers to notch a pair and go up 2-1.

It was in the dying seconds of the final frame, down by one, that young Jordan Lowe, went to work.  Showing a combination of grittiness and desperation he fought off numerous Panthers as he drove to the net, sliding the puck between the goalie’s pads bringing the crowd to its feet and fulfilling his teammate’s request.    Lowe was the unanimous winner of the Lion of the Game. 

“He showed great leadership for us tonight,” Coach Dickson praised.

The Lions head out on the road next Saturday to face a tough squad from Westport.

[…]

 

The South Dundas Novice B Lions gave up a pair of second period goals to the North Dundas Demons which set the Demons on the course for victory here Monday night, October 27.

The Lions went up 1-0 in the first period of the game, but then fell behind 2-1 in the second period.

Goals were traded in the third period, which allowed the Demons to hang on for a 3-2 win.

It was midway into the first period that Ben Radley opened the scoring for the Lions with help from Devon Honders.

Two quick Demon goals, from the sticks of Gavin Eikelboom and Wyatt Rivet, in the last five minutes of the second period were the difference. 

Ryan Wilson put the Demons up 3-1 early in the third period, and the Lions got one back from Cooper McCooeye assisted by Noelle Hatherall to keep it close.

[…]

 

In the last week, the Morrisburg Junior B Lions have been giving their fans something to talk about as they went to work to win three in a row, one of which was against the undefeated St. Lawrence Division, first place Casselman Vikings.

The Lions kicked off their three-game streak, the first in many seasons, on home ice Saturday, October 18, when they disposed of the Westport Rideaus by a 13-6 score.

Then it was off to Casselman last Thursday, October 3, when the Lions did what no other team has managed so far this season…collect points from the Vikings in a 2-1 overtime, shoot-out victory.

They posted win number three on home ice Saturday night, when, with Keiran Weir unbeatable in net, they blanked the Brockville Tikis, 5-0.

They were stopped by a 4-3 loss from the Akwesasne Wolves Sunday, on Cornwall Island.

“It felt very exhilarating,” said coach Mark Evans of the win over Casselman last Thursday night. “The boys were ecstatic. They knew all their hard work had come down to that. They stuck to the game plan, blocked up the lanes, and when they got into trouble they played smart.”

“There was some really great goaltending at both ends of the ice (Gianmarco De Meis was in net for the Vikings), and it was a good game of hockey to watch. It was really good to see the kids rewarded for their hard work.”

All of the game scoring took place in the second period with Maxime Choquette putting the Vikings on the board just 3:25 in. At 5:09, Jacob Kendrick with help from Landon Veenstra, struck for the Lions to even it and that’s the way it stayed, tied 1-1 through regulation play.

After a scoreless overtime, the game went to a shootout for a decision. 

Dallas Blacksmith was first up for the Lions, and his success was cancelled by Grant Hebert. 

Michael Paquette then counted for the Lions and when Sebastien Plante was unsuccessful in his attempt against Keir, the Lions were in the driver’s seat.

However the goaltenders had it covered. Neither Jacob Kendrick for the Lions nor Taylor Widenmaier was successful, and the Lions picked up two points for the 2-1 shutout win.

Back home on Saturday night, with Weir again in net, the Lions pounced quickly on the visiting Westport Rideaus. They went up 2-0 in the first period, and led 4-0 after two as they worked their way to the 5-0 victory.

Michael Paquette (from Justin Rutley and Jordan Smail) and Cole Fowler (from Cole Beckstead) provided the Lions first period goals.

In the second period, it was Landon Veenstra (from Dallas Blacksmith) and Jacob Guillot (from Ryan Griffin and Dylan Nixon).

Their final goal was scored on their power play, by Dallas Blacksmith, with help from Cole Beckstead and Jacob Kendrick. 

“Keiran played two stellar games,” said Evans. “It was good to see, and it was great for him to get back-to-back wins.”

Sunday, the Lions winning streak was ended by the Akwesasne Wolves, 4-3. 

“We were asleep at the switch. We weren’t ready to go,” said Evans. “The effort and intensity wasn’t there, especially in the first period.” 

In the first period, the Wolves went up 3-0 on two goals by Zack Seguin and one from Derik Dionne.

The Lions got one back on their power play at 16:36 of the second period from Brodie Barkley, assisted by Cole Blanchard and Jacob Kendrick.

Then just 1:18 into the third period they cut the gap to 3-2 with a Dallas Blacksmith counter assisted by Jacob Kendrick and Tanner Hummel.

Six seconds later, Isaac Barr beat Lions goaltender John Bilmer to again give the Wolves a two-goal edge.

Some intense play followed, but the Lions ran up against a hot Cory Garrow and managed only one more from Zack Renfrew, assisted by Curtis Evans and Ryan Griffin.

“It’s all about being ready to start,” said Evans. “We almost did it (recovered) but we ran into their hot goalie. He’s solid, and they had only 36 goals against going into the game. When they get three or four goals against you, you are going to have your work cut out against him to get back into it.”

Despite the loss, Evans says the Lions are “happy with the progress, but we are not resting on our laurels. We need to keep working and to tighten up our defence. Your offense will win you games, but your defence will win you championships. We should be looking at two to three goals against per game.”

The three win run, helps to pull the Lions up in the St. Lawrence Division standings. They remain in fifth place in the six team division with 10 points, just two back of the Winchester Hawks and Akwesasne Wolves tied with 12.  Both the Hawks and Wolves have two games in hand over the Lions.

The Alexandria Glens are in the division’s second spot with 13 points, and the Casselman Vikings top the chart at 19 points with nine wins and the shoot out loss to the Lions.

Coming up the Lions are in Winchester against the Hawks  Saturday night, November 1.

[…]

 

Following an exceptionally good summer season, and several weeks to settle in to her school requirements at that University of Ottawa, local equestrian, Rayanna Marcellus will be back in the saddle on her horse “Keepsake” to prepare to ride at the prestigious Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and Horse Show in Toronto, November 7-16.

Marcellus has been riding competitively for about six years. This will be her second trip to the Royal, having experienced it in at the age of  13 years when she rode the pony, Skip the Frosty.

However, while Marcellus herself has experienced the thrill and excitement of riding at the Royal, this will be a whole new experience for Keepsake (stable name) Louis.

Keepsake is an off the track thoroughbred horse, explains, mom Sandi who operates the Sarabeau Stable on Pigeon Island Road east of Morrisburg, where Rayanna rides. Three years ago, he was enjoying success on the track. “Last year was his first year to show,” explains Sandi. “From race track to the Royal in three years is amazing, and he is only seven years old.” 

Keepsake ran six races during his race career and had one win, two seconds and three thirds when purchased by the Marcellus family. “He is actually a really lazy horse, but he is absolutely beautiful to watch,” says Sandi. “And he is like a sponge, he soaks everything up, and he is just going to keep getting better and better.”

During the summer riding season, Rayanna and Keepsake competed in both the AERSO A and B circuits which meant two schedules and a very busy season. It is the A circuit that has the opportunity to qualify for the Royal, and Rayanna and Keepsake finished the season fourth overall for a qualifying spot.

In the AERSO B Curcuit, Keepsake finished the season, second overall in Children’s Hunter, third overall in Sandridge Medal and third overall in A Equitation. 

At the AERSO B championship September 19-21, he and Rayanna won gold medals for firsts in Children’s Hunter and A Equitation.

“All summer Louis has done really well,” says Rayanna. “I have competed in Toronto before, so I think I should do well. But it is so scary up there for the horse. It’s indoors, and they have been riding outdoors all summer. There is so much going on, the noise and the music. I think he will be okay, and I am really looking forward to the trip.” 

Cheryl Levere, who has been coaching Rayanna since she began riding competitively, is extremely proud of her student and also impressed with Keepsake.

“This was Keepsake’s first real year of showing,” says Levere. “He showed last year, but he was still learning. He is much less experienced than the horses he shows against, but you would never know it by watching him in the ring.”

Levere explained that in trying to earn a spot at the Royal, Rayanna also rode Keepsake in some Ontario shows in the Toronto area this past summer. “Showing there is tough with the best of the best showing, and Rayanna proved she belonged by winning a class and always bringing home some ribbons. She also did all this while getting ready for her first year in University. Rayanna is a very talented and dedicated rider which shows in everything she did over the summer. She proved that hard work pays off.”

The Royal Agricultural Horse Fair is the number one ranked horse show in North America. Over 900 entries will compete in their respective divisions. 

In addition to preparing horse and rider, Sarabeau stables is lining up sponsorships to assist with the many cost which comes with being part of the show including horse transport costs, stabling, entry fee, etc.

“People are certainly welcome to sponsor,” says Sandi. “We have the McIntosh Inn and some friends. Any little bit helps as it’s very expensive. This is just such an amazing opportunity for a young rider. Just to get Keepsake there is absolutely amazing.”

[…]

 

The end to the summer equestrian season was bittersweet for Rayanna Marcellus and her “large” pony Piccolini. 

The two have been riding competitively for five years, and now with Rayanna about to turn 18, she must graduate to ride horses.

“It’s really amazing how far he has come over the years,” says Rayanna. “He has turned out to be a really great pony.”

Knowing it was her last season with Pico, Rayanna decided she would return him to the Quebec AERSO Circuit where they first showed in the 2010 season. It was his trial year, and he surprised everyone when he finished fourth overall for the season and won a bronze medal in the Quebec B Circuit Championship.

A rescue pony purchased two years earlier in the U.S., he was selected by the championship judges back in 2010 as “the pony they would most like to take home.”

“I wanted to take him back to Quebec where he started,” says Rayanna of her decision to return to the Quebec AERSO cirucit this summer. Her mission was a gold medal for Picco and together they accomplished their mission and then some.

Picco finished the regular season first overall in the Large Pony Division and first overall in Pony Medal.

That put him in the Quebec championship at Bromont which ran from September 19-21 and where he showed against (up to) 28 horses and riders representing the seven regions in Quebec.

“I had hopes for him, but I had been away at school and hadn’t been riding him, so he was kind of excited,” says Rayanna. “It was also a cold, windy, rainy day. He was excited and kind of funny, but he did really well.”

Together Rayanna and Picco finished their season, and their five years together, by winning gold medals in both Large Pony and Pony Medal.

Rayanna says it is definitely hard knowing she and Picco won’t be riding competitively anymore. “It’s been a long time with him.”

The Quebec Championship proved to be a big event for Rayanna, her pony Picco (two gold medals), her horse Keepsake (two gold medals), along with the local Sarabeau stables.

According to her coach, Cheryl Levere…to my knowledge it is unheard of for one rider to get so many gold medals.

 

[…]

 

For only the second time in the history of the Morrisburg Golf Club, a woman will be sitting in the president’s chair.

The membership-owned club held its annual general meeting this past Sunday, October 26, at which Morrisburg resident and long-time club member Carolyn Weegar was elected president. 

Weegar will take over the president’s duties in the next few weeks from outgoing president Jason Broad who moves to past-president.

The only other woman to hold the office of president was the late Nora Markell.

Lori-Ann Davies was re-elected vice-president in charge of the clubhouse, and Mick Mabo was elected vice-president in charge of the clubhouse property. 

Returned as secretary was Candace Jamieson, and Scott Robinson was re-elected greens chair. Linda Henderson remained as the senior representative to the board and Monique Patenaude is returning as ladies club captain.

One of two positions not filled was that of treasurer which was made vacant by the retirement of longtime club treasurer Sean Boulerice.

Boulerice, who has been handling the club’s finances for 13 years, has been instrumental in its success having carefully managed it through lean times and times of plenty.

Sunday, he presented the membership with the 2014, financial report that showed the club in a reasonably good position despite the current down turn in the golf industry.

Tops on the agenda at Sunday’s meeting was the repayment of $6,500 of interest free loans made by members during the 2013 golf season to pay for the rebuild of the third hole green and some reconstruction to the second green.

In 2013, the membership stepped in with loans in increments of $500 totalling $33,000 for the work. The payback plan was based over five years with a pre-determined number of draws for $500 to be carried out each year and one draw to be made for a free membership.

The membership draw was won by Nick Lee who was also one of the members whose name was drawn for a $500 repayment.

As a membership owned club, each fall the members approve the next year’s membership fees based on recommendations of the treasurer and board of directors.

Sunday, the members approved an increase of about five percent per membership category for memberships paid before April 1, 2015. Members who pay their membership fee by December 1 of this year, will pay the 2014 rate which was $563.87 per adult woman or man.

That individual rate for men and women goes to $592.12 until April 1, 2015.

Sunday’s meeting was attended by about 70 club members. It marks the final club event of the 2014 season, and the Morrisburg Golf Course will be closed to play at the end of October.

[…]