Mustang minute and wait a minute!
Congratulations to the small but mighty Manitoulin Secondary School Cross Country team (the toughest of secondary school athletes) on their valiant effort at the annual North Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association’s championships in Sault Ste. Marie last week. Although only six runners made it out of the NSSSA meet to compete at NOSSA they ran their hearts out. Kudos to the only full team, the senior girls’ squad featuring: Karissa Merrylees, McKenzie Turner, Jessica Marshall and Camille Poitras. The quartet finished in a tight team race in eighth place out of twelve other sides.
William Scott turned in a solid run in the senior boys’ race but his efforts were essentially “wasted” as there were not, just three other runners that would have given William a counting team of four. His brother, James Scott also would have loved to have had a team in the Sault. Especially because he could very well have had some company for this weekend’s all-Ontario (OFSSA) meet this Saturday in Duntroon (near Collingwood)! If he had just some of the talented junior boys’ runners that haunt the MSS halls in the Sault, they would have had a great chance to run on the Provincial stage. James put in an amazing 4th place run, finishing the just shy of 6km in 21:47!
Manitoulin has long been known for competitive and at the very least for their very deep, cross country teams that can push smaller teams’ scores up (bad in cross-country!) Even a short, two years ago in North Bay at NOSSA, Manitoulin started six out of a possible six teams and none finished worse than 6th place out of sometimes, 16 other schools! This year: one team and six runners, total!?!
I see many talented and tough runners coming through the elementary school, x-country championships every year and know that Manitoulin can always return once again to northern Ontario prominence if not to the all-Ontario level. I issue a challenge to the Grade 8 – 11 runners of this year; don’t give it up. The sport offers many benefits and only the tiniest ones are winning championships…but why not have it all. Go Mustangs, GO!
Manitoulin Panther points
The Atom Panthers are on the prowl this season for their first win and they appear ready to pounce on any team that takes them lightly. Although still a relatively young squad the Atoms are playing above their average age and will be a surprising teams as the year progresses. At just two games in the, C at-oms have a win and a loss. Here’s to a great season: Macie Setterington, Saraya Eshkawkogan, Tryce Francis, Jared Toope, Cole Hughson, Owen Leblanc, Kordell Elijah, Joseph Shigwadja, Ava Assinewai, Brandon Visitor, Brodie Pennie, David Gibbons, Drake Jacko, Aiden Case and Carter McGregor. The Coaches include: Brent Assinewai, Bart Case, Jay Toope, Bruce Visitor, Charity Shigwadja and Manager Lyndsay Setterington.
Islander now wears a Shield
It was great to hear that Justin Lanktree from Mindemoya has been signed by the South Muskoka Shield of the 32-team GMHL (Greater Metro Hockey League). The over-ager has obviously found his niche on the team and has worked his way on to the first line after only four games, amassing five points in the process. Lanktree’s connection to the team was likely helped by another local Justin, Lockeyer that is. Lockeyer is the Shield’s strength and conditioning coach and when team management came to him looking to bolster the roster with an “aggressive forward” Lockeyer had no problem putting Lanktree’s name forward. Since the team is undefeated since Justin has joined the team, Justin, (the other one) is once again putting Manitoulin on the map as a hockey player producer. Good job, Justin-s! Keep working hard.
Run Fest-ivities!
Congratulations to Greg Bond, who hails from Gore Bay, after his great result in Niagara Fall’s Run Fest weekend’s half marathon. Greg, who is in training for the Canadian national master’s 5 km championships has always had an affinity to the longer races. Despite his focus on speed work and the less than place 10km runs, Greg obviously still has the endurance for the 21km half-marathon, clocking the half in 1:40. Way to go, Greg. Good luck with your training!
Haunted hustling
Hats off to Little Current’s Judy Proux who completed last weekend’s Haunted Hustle 10km up in Temiskaming Shores. Keep up the good work, Judy!
Little Current’s Callaghan feeling at “home”
Dylan Callaghan, a Sudbury Wolves draftee, never felt he had a fair chance to gain traction in Sudbury and eventually decided to play in the NOJHL last year with the Sudbury Nickel Barons. In his last year the power forward wanted to make another push for major junior again and has found himself in the QJMJL’s Gatineau Olympiques. The youngster is reveling in his new opportunity and his new role as a bit of an agitator, as an article in the Sudbury Star reveals. He is feeling comfortable and wanted to be on the 7-5-1 Olympiques squad and will gladly get in the opposition’s faces to “put them off their game.” Keep working hard, Dylan.
A good sport is good for sports.
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