Ontario Athletics cross country championships
With Island athletes long since moving past cross country running and even flag football, a couple of elite runners have still been training to compete in the province’s best-of-the-best season-ending competition.
Maren Kasunich and Ava Assinewai have equally pushed each other in their training sessions with long-time coach Gerry Holliday. Their preparations have allowed the pair to be able to compete with the premier runners across Ontario.
Down in King City, running under the Sudbury Track North singlets, Maren broke the tape a measly seven seconds behind first place in fifth position out of 92 of the best-of-the-best under-14 runners. Ava fought her way to the line only mere seconds behind in their ultra-competitive field in eighth place.
Context needs to be established for this race for these two very young eighth graders, who have proven themselves against provincial competition. We will surely see this pair over the next few years as they move into secondary school!
North Shore volleyball victors
The Manitoulin Secondary School boys’ side went undefeated all season, and in fact managed to win their 15 games in 30 straight sets. The side, having earned the right to host the NSSSA finals on November 6 at MSS, did not disappoint on their home court and will move on to NOSSA.
Congrats to coach Mike Wesno and team members who include: Nathan Temple, Boston Thibault, Austin Purvis, Ben Marshall, Carter Abotossaway, Lukas Abotossaway, Mike Madahbee, Shannon Debassige and Carter Moggy. Keep it going through to OFSAA!
Canadian University Field Lacrosse championships
Bo and Kieren Peltier (Gerard and Maxine Peltier), a part of the Nipissing Lakers lacrosse team, had a strong but eliminating game against the Western University Mustangs. Kieran is always strong on team defence and little brother Bo provides offence.
In the disappointing 12-5 loss, Bo scored three goals and Kieren kept the Mustangs in check. Keep up the good work, guys!
Atom Panthers perform well at tournament
The Manitoulin Atom Panthers spent the weekend in Pembroke for the Atom ‘B’ Silverstick tournament. Going in ranked provincially at #122, the Panthers took games against the (#88) Brockville Braves 3-1, the (#44) Frontenac Flyers 3-0 and the (unranked) Nepean Raiders 2-1 to finish 3-0 for first in their pool and second only to eventual champion Kemptville of the sixteen participating teams.
This is quite an accomplishment, as the Panthers are comprised of players from the minor and major atom age groups, and were competing against bigger, exclusively major atom-aged sides.
This success set a quarter-final matchup against the (#16) Arnprior Packers. The Packers opened the scoring but the Panthers quickly answered back, tying it 1-1. Arnprior then surged ahead 3-1, only to have the resilient Manitoulin side claw their way back into it, with a J.C. Paquette rush and pass setting up a Liam Leclair marker that made it 3-3 to force OT. Jack Bridgeman notched the OT game winner to send the Panthers into the semi finals against the Mississippi Thunder Kings.
In the semis, the Island side held it to 2-2 before ultimately being worn down by Mississippi’s considerable size advantage, and the kids came up with a game shy of the finals, losing 5-2.
Congrats to Atom Panther team members Easton Assinewai, Jonah Balfe, Brynn Best, Jack Bridgeman, Ryan Carter, Spencer Cortes, Roen Deschenes (IR), Maximus King, Liam Leclair, J.C. Paquette, Koda Peltier, Cohen Rajotte, Lincoln Rancourt, Bryden Romaniuk, Liam Stephens and Chase Taylor. Great showing, team!
A good sport is good for sports.
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