Tracking elite athletes
While most elementary school athletes are barely into their soccer season with such a protracted winter, a couple of Island runners have not been waiting for ideal conditions. M’Chigeeng’s Maren Kasunich and Spring Bay’s Ava Assinewai have already been training, way back, when there was not even a visible track! This past weekend, the pair and their coach, Gerry Holliday, attended the Black Fly Relays Track and Field meet hosted at the Laurentian University tack. The two speedsters, just in Grade 7, raced against high school runners and definitely turned some heads.
In the 1500m distance, Maren finished in front just edging her training partner Ava as she did to Whitefish River’s Avery Sutherland, who runs for LoEllen Park Secondary School. Maren was clocked at 5:22 but the next two local runners crossed the line within a second and a half!
Avery and Maren then laced up for the open 3000m race and this time Avery was first and Maren close on her heels. Avery needed just 11:44 to cover the three kilometer distance and Maren 1.03 seconds behind! In the 800m, Ava ripped up the track finishing fourth in the very competitive distance. Congratulations to you three and good luck for the rest of your seasons.
Softball guru elected to hall of fame!
Congratulations to Don Prescott who has been elected to the Greater Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame. The official announcement was made last week and the induction ceremony is to take place in Sudbury on June 12. Mr. Prescott (along with his wife Naida, who passed away a year ago, and son Delroy) have been staples in the fastball community not only Manitoulin, but Ontario and Canada for many years. Don was also a standout hockey and fastball player in his younger years.
As an added bonus that night, Devin and Justin Lockeyer and their 2008 Telus Cup Champion teammates, the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the Team Category!
Paul Williams Memorial Men’s Fastball and
Ladies Slo-Pitch accepting teams!
Organizer Gerard Baibomcowai is ready to lock in your team for the July 26 to 28th tournament. In the men’s fastball division he is looking for six teams in the double knock-out format. The entry fee is $500 per team. The prize structure for the championship winners is $1,500 (an additional $1,000 will hopefully be added through fundraising, to bring the purse up top to $2,500). The runners up are to receive $1,000.
The ladies’ slo-pitch side is looking to register four teams and will also be a double knock-out arrangement with a $500 per team entry and a chance at the championship prize of $1,500 or $500 for the runners up. For more information or to register: search out Gerard Baibomcowai on Facebook.
Mindemoya youth ball
It is not too late to get your child registered for Mindemoya’s Children’s baseball program. Although the early registration price has passed, at $40, players all receive a t-shirt and six weeks of fun. The tentative start day is May 22 and slated to run until June 27. The ball-fields have been reserved for Wednesday and Thursdays from 6-8 pm. The exact schedule and times will be determined once the final numbers of children registered. For more information you can contact centralmbbc@outlook.com.
The Manitoulin Tennis Club to start their season
with the Blackfly!
The tennis courts at Manitoulin Secondary School are freshly painted and the MTC is going to celebrate with a spring, fun tournament. The Manitoulin Tennis Club is to host their annual ‘Blackfly Tournament’ starting at 9:30 am on Saturday, May 18. This unique format is a round robin doubles tournament but there is no need to secure partners, as they switch every game. Organizer Chris Theijsmeijer says the slogan for the event is “for fun and sun!”
The entry fee can’t be beat at a mere $5 per person. You are encouraged to call Chris at 705-968-0404 to register. Or if you’d like to just come and play a basic match to try out the newly refurbished courts – just stop by on the morning on the 18th to meet some other players and shake off some winter rust. Free refreshments and even tennis balls provided!
A good sport is good for sports. chipstoquips@gmail.com
