Small but mighty!
An elite, yet small track team from Manitoulin competed at the season warm-up Black Fly Relays last week.
Maren Kasunich finished second in the 800m and lead all the way from start to finish first in the women’s 3,000 metre with a time of 11:12!
Alan Wilkin smashed the 400m 60 second threshold to finish second in a time of 56.9! Alan, just 18, was only beat by a man seven years his senior in the open event. Alan was also fourth in the 800m and ninth in the 3000m.
Sixteen-year-old Xavier Mara, similarly, ran in the Open 800m men’s race and was tenth in 2:26, just ahead of a 27-year-old guy!
Finally Brodie Pennie, who has a great work ethic towards his training, is once again reaping the benefits. He ran to a bronze medal in the 800m and gold in the 3,000m in a blistering 9:25!
Interestingly, I was in a Sudbury sporting goods store on Saturday when I overheard two high school students talking about the meet. One inquires how the other did and he replies, “Brodie beat me!” Of course, my ears perked up as he continues, “…he got fast!” ‘Well, he was always fast,’ I thought to myself but I was curious that they were on a first-name basis with Brodie. After chatting them up it turns out that the runner was none other than Sam Rice, Brodie’s sometimes nemesis in cross country over the years. Keep on surprising them, Brodie!
Mountain Bike Racers triumphant
Spring is in the air and the scent of mud and chain oil permeates the trails. The Manitoulin Mountain Bike Racing sent a large team of nine riders to the Hardwood Single Track Classic in Barrie.
Eight of the team rode in the 21km race and Alex Anstice grinding out the 42km marathon.
Amazingly they had three youth on the podium! Tobi Brown finished 3rd in the 17- to 34-year-old men’s category. In the under 17 category, Bradley Slaght finished 1st; Nathan Quackenbush finished 2nd; Isaac Quackenbush finished 4th despite a crash and a broken wheel!
Alex Anstice finished fifth in the men’s 35-49, 42km race. The rest of the adults on the team only revealed there were no podium finishes but they had a great time racing on old, tired legs!
If anyone is interested in joining the mountain bike club, or the race team you should check them out on Facebook at Manitoulin Mountain Biking, or email them at ManitoulinMTB@gmail.com
3 on 3 Panthers
Here are some follow up details on the 3-on-3 tournament that was covered last week from Panther coach Scott Stephens.
A group of nine kids from the Manitoulin Panthers, along with a friend from Lively with Manitoulin roots, participated in the Sault Open Ice 3-on-3 hockey tournament. This was the first year that this popular tournament has run since the pandemic. They won the U13 championship out of a pool of eight teams.
Congratulations to the team, featuring: Liam Stephens, Bryden Romaniuk, Spencer Cortes, Memphis Shawanda, Ryan Carter, Cohen Rajotte, Lincoln Rancourt, Roen Deschenes, Alex Bourcier and Josh Ruppel. Way to go team!
Pike Masters, pick monsters!
The Wiikwemkoong Anglers first pike derby of the season was held over the weekend. A good omen for the season was that a couple of nice 40 inchers were caught and because their derbies are catch and release they are back out there!
Taking the top prize was Duke Peltier with a two fish total length of 72 inches. In second was Isaac Sloss with 70.5” and third place went to Jeff Bailey, hauling in 65.4”!
The next derby in their series is in two weeks on May 20. Tight lines!
A good sport is good is for sports!
chipstoquips@gmail.com
