Legion Nationals
Joseph Maxwell must have felt he was barely barely off the plane from Columbia (where he finished 6th overall in the shot put at the World Youth Championships) when he had to head to the Legion National Track and Field Championships held in Montreal this past weekend. Currently the Legion record holder in shot put, Joseph was only entered in the discus this year and as he has done so often lately he easily won the event with his new personal best throw with 56.99m! Over in the shot put cage his record was hardly in danger with the current gold medalist throwing some 3m shy of his toss last year!
Congratulations as well to James Scott who was also east to run in the under-16, 800m race. Although he was disappointed that he was not able to equal or beat his PB it was an honour to even be at the race. Keep up the training, James!
Local signs with pro league!
Hats off to Wikwemikong’s Kelly Babstock who has just signed with the Connecticut Whale, playing out of Stamford of the professional National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). The inaugural season of the new NWHL will feature four teams in addition to the Whale. The Buffalo Beauts, Boston Pride and the New York Riveters.
Kelly just graduated from Quinnipiac University where she smashed every scoring record for her team the Bobcats. Babstock was a four year all-star in the ECAC, the first ever all-American for the Bobcats and finished with 95 goals, 108 assists and 203 points to her name in 147 games played.
Her new general manager Harry Rosenholtz of the Whale was quoted as saying, “Kelly is one of the most creative stickhandlers and natural scorers that will be playing in this league. She is as difficult to play against one-on-one as anybody in the league. Kelly has an amazing spirit and a great enthusiasm for hockey. She is a spectator’s dream.”
Junior signings!
Congratulations to some local players who have signed on to play junior hockey with a couple of different teams around the NOJHL (Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League). The slick moves of Mindemoya’s Tyler King will flow nicely with Noelville’s French River Rapids squad. The Rapids will feature former NHL player Moe Mantha Jr. as head coach.
M’Chigeeng’s Mitchal Payette will also suit his newly minted team’s moniker, the Espanola Express. For those skaters who have ever stood in Mitchal’s tracks as he barrels your way you will understand! The express will also be guided an ex-NHL player Tom McCarthy.
Both players are excited to play for two of the newest teams in the league. The NOJHL now boasts the highest number of teams in their schedule that ever has been: 12! The 2015 – 2016 teams will now hail from: Blind River, Cochrane, Elliot Lake, Espanola, Noelville, Iroquois Falls, Kirkland Lake, Powassan, Rayside-Balfour, Sault Michigan, Sault Ontario and Timmins.
Tyler and Mitchal will both be playing on the league opener on September 11 in their team’s home rinks Mitchal and the Express will take on the Rayside Balfour Canadians at the recreation complex in Espanola for a 7 pm start. Tyler and his Rapids’ side will hit the ice in Noelville at 7:30 pm as they host the Powasson Voodoos.
Espanola jumper at Pan Ams
Caroline Erhardt had an amazing culmination to her track season with a duplication of her personal best jump of 13.08 m to finish 14th at the Pan Am games last month against some of the best in the world. Caroline was very appreciative with all the amazing support from the local community at large. There was a large contingent that made it down to Toronto to cheer her on and many other supporters were at the Espanola complex watching her jumps on the big screen. On her three attempts, Caroline equaled her all-time best triple jump and then in pushing the margins to the limit she faulted on her last two leaps. Congratulations, Caroline!
Beating the Beaton
Congratulations to a few local, brave ones who competed in last weekend’s Beaton Classic in Sudbury. The cycle, paddle, swim and run quadrathlon that was founded in 1983. Way to go: Allison White, Todd Withers and Tamara Flannigan.
Half marathons coming up
The Sudbury Rocks website lists the Timmins Golden Trails half marathon coming up this coming Sunday, August 16. The run starts and finishes at their recreation complex and the course features a great road and trail combination course. The weekend also includes at 2km and 5km run or walk versions for those not needing to run quite as far as the 21km half marathon!
For the next half-marathon a little closer to home you will have to wait until September 19 for Sudbury’s Ramsey Tour. Visit the Sudbury Rock’s website for more information.
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