Manitoulin’s Nickel City Sons
In a super test against the top, provincially ranked AAA minor bantam teams the N.C. Sons proved once again that they deserve to be in the mix. The northern squad won their first game at the London Ontario’s Wendy Dufton Memorial Tournament. The young team features Carson Shawana, Liam Bridgeman and Sam Assinewai. Started out with a convincing 6 – 2 win over the Markham Majors, the northern side was able to keep the games competitive but did not make it into the playoff round. Frustratingly, Markham did! Keep working hard, guys!
Off their rock hockey!
Congratulations to several Manitoulin girls who have made the commitment to play hockey off-Island and assume all of the long commutes on top of a busy and competitive schedule. Making the Sudbury Lady Wolves Peewee B squad are Danica Peltier, Destiny Migwans, Sierra McGregor and Kaylee Corbiere.
Best wishes
Best of luck to Billy Biederman as he recovers from major shoulder surgery this past week. Here’s to you getting back on the ice soon, Billy!
Bobcats’ Invitational
Last Wednesday the annual Bobcats’ Invitational was hosted by the Shawanosowe School in beautiful downtown Birch Island. This great event features divisions for Kindergarten kids and on up to the Grade 8 speedsters. There were students from nine different schools in attendance on a day that looked to be a nasty, wet day that turned out to be a mainly sunny and beautiful fall day.
Overall, Central Manitoulin brought a very large team and took the overall school title as a result of their sheer numbers. Individually, here are the top three finishers from each division. In the six and under boys’ class it was a 1-2-3 finish for CMPS with Easton Assinewai, David Joyce and Jesse Cooper taking the medals. In the 6 girls’ division, Videt Sutherland and Laila Taibossigai of Shawanosowe were the top-two and Laily Assiniwe of Wiikwemkoong was third.
In the 7/8 Boys’ race Jackson Noble of Espanola took gold while Jack Bridgeman and Benny Cooper of Mindemoya were silver and bronze. In the girls’ equivalent Samantha Mackenzie (CMPS) was first. Lily Stewart of Assiginack was second and Scarlet Mohr (CMPS) was third.
In the 9/10 boys’ event it was sprint to the finish up the tough Shawanosowe “mountain,” but Liam Lariviere (CMPS) edged Rylan Pennie (APS) and Xavi Mara (APS) who were second and third. The girls’ race was also a thriller at the finish with Biidaaban’s Janice Toulouse breaking the tape followed by the Wasse Abin pair of Natalia Pitawanakwat and Jenelle Akiwenzie.
The 11 – 12 boys’ division was won by APS’ Brodie Pennie with CMPS’ Bay Migwans in second then A.B. Ellis’ Ira Paibomsai in third. The girls’ race featured a 1-2 punch from CMPS athletes Ava Assinewai and Annie Balfe and third was won by Pontiac’s Mikaila Staruck.
The elder statespeople of the race belonged to the 13+ division. The boys’ race featured Liam Bridgeman (CMPS) with the gold and the Espanola pair of Carter Lacasse and Aidan Kallioinen garnering the other medals. Delaney Bridgeman (CMPS), running up a division, edged former Bobcat Avery Sutherland and Sagamok’s Jacinte Eshkawkogan in third.
Congratulations to organizers who made for a great day. Among many, hats off to Kevin Legrow and Greg Sutherland.
Wiky Invitational tomorrow!
The Manitoulin cross country season features its next meet, the Wiky Invitational tomorrow (October 12) hosted in Wiikwemkoong this year at Thunderbird Park (ballfield) and not the Rainbow Ridge Golf Course in Manitowaning. This venerable event features teams competing from across the Island as well as the north shore. The day starts off around 10:30 am with the youngest age division (8 and under) and completes each boys and girls’ race until the 13-plus divisions runs sometime around 1:00 and finally finishes the day with an awards ceremony about 1:30 pm.
Killarney keeners!
The picturesque Killarney Fall Classic highlights three classic distances: 5K, 10K and the 21.1K half-marathon. An energetic Manitoulin contingent made the trip for the second annual event. Tammy Rolston was second overall in the 10km with Terri Boyer and Leslie Marshall on her heels.
Marilee Wright, a perennial Manitoulin Mustang runner in her high school days, took on the half-marathon and ran an impressive 1:49 to finish in fourth position overall!
Wiky Road Race
The 45th annual Wikwemikong 10K Championships and 10K walk is set for Sunday, October 15. Once again the 10 km Slower Runner Division for beginner runners, walkers and even Nordic polers is sponsored by the Wikwemikong Health Centre Diabetes Program and it starts at 10 am in Kaboni.
The 10km championship run starts at 10:50 am, with registration going from 8:30 to 9:30 am at Wasse Abin Pontiac School. The entry fee is still just $20 for Adults and $10 for Students and it includes a t-shirt and a sure bet for some fabulous prizes. There is a shuttle service available to get runners up to the start line. A truly great event; why not give it a try. For more information call (705) 859-3164.
Thunder Run!
The annual, Mindemoya Thunder Fun Runs are also set for Sunday, October 15. The two runs (5K and 2K) distances all start from the J.H. Burt Memorial Arena in downtown Mindemoya. The 5K race begins at 9:30 a.m. and the 2K distance begins at 9:45 am. Registration for both events will start at 9 am. This year’s bonus includes medals for each participant. There will also be refreshments and treats for sale.
The only “cost” that a runner will incur is a minimum of $20 in pledges or they can pay the $20 entry fee at registration. For a family the minimum is $50 in pledges for up to four family members participating in either race. On top of all of this there is a prize for the top pledges earned so get out there and support your local hockey community.
Pledge forms and further information can be received by emailing lariviere@amtelecom.net.
A good sport is good for sports
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