Mustang Volleyball wraps!
The Senior team were competitive at NOSSA but just ran into their arch Nemesis! The easily dispatched the Sault Ste Marie team from White Pines and the North Bay representative, Franco Cite to get into the finals against Lockerby bud sadly, lost. Coach Wesno summed it up, “They are a very strong team that I expect will do very well at OFSAA. The boys played some good ball in the final especially considering that we had three grade 11s in the starting lineup!” Way to go, Luke Heinen, Jack Pennie, Aidan McGraw, Davin Deschenes, Colin Linder, Eli Lock, Ian McGauley, Jaron Panamick, Noah Thorpe, Cody Campbell, Liam Lariviere and Cash Duchene.
The Junior squad was Coached by teacher, Andrew Argall and they had a strong season. They finished their last regular season day of games 3-0 to finish the season 6-6. They then played their best volleyball of the season during the NSSSA semifinal against Espanola but then didn’t bring the same energy to the final against CASS. Coach Argall quickly relayed their impressive NOSSA showing, “We showed really well at AA/AAA NOSSA – our last game we won the first set and then had 5 match points vs Chippewa but ultimately lost 29 – 27 before losing the third set. Not bad for a little old school in the sticks!”
Way to go team! Jonah Balfe, Greyson Brewer-Case, Jack Bridgeman, Jack Carter, Aaven Edralin, Ethan Ense, Rylan Lock, Kyle Nodecker, Chase Taylor, Anders Watson, Wyatt Williamson and Ethan Witty!
Hockey from away!
It is always so nice to see hockey players who age-out of minor hockey, still keep on playing for the love of the game. One of these guys is Liam Bridgeman, who is soon ageing out of his teens and still playing high level hockey. This season finds himself in Elliot Lake as a Viking! Before that he was in Espanola as a Paper King and the year before that he played there as an Express!
The Elliot Lake Vikings have stood the test of time in the NOJHL (Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League) and can use a good, 60.96 meter player. Liam’s contribution to his teams are not always on the scoresheet. Have a great season, Liam!
Another guy that keeps on, keeping on is Billy Biederman! He loves the game so much, he even moved to Texas to play! Billy Plays out of Corpus Christi for the Ice Rays in the NAHL. He is fourth in team scoring, just behind Sudbury teammate from the Cubs, Pierson Sobush!
Great results at Ontario XC Championships
I cannot remember so many local runners racing at the Ontario Cross Country Championships this year. Four, Manitoulin Mustangs were able to extend their season with one more trip south to Toronto! Maren Kasunich running in her Under – 18 race came in an impressive, 13th! Alan Wilkin ran against the Under 20 set and had a stellar performance, 27th overall! His younger brother, Matthew Wilkin and lone teammate, Xavi Mara put in gutsy efforts in their U18 race! Congratulations on a season of dedicated training and improved results. Hats off as well to their ageless coach Gerry Holliday who may have just coached his last ever, Cross Country team. Say it isn’t so, Mr. Holliday! Well, I have it on pretty good authority that he will put his fine efforts into this spring’s track team. If you will work hard, Gerry can help you achieve your potential. Come on Mustangs, let us put together a strong team for his last track season, now!
Hunters, be a sport!
As we enter the midway point of this year’s rifle hunt, I would like to wish everyone an enjoyable season. Deer or no deer! That deadline Sunday looms large for some of us, so please be careful and ethical.