MSS Mustangs shine in winter and varsity sports

M’CHIGEENG—Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) athletes and teams had a very successful week!
Four Mustang skiers took part in the Northern Ontario Secondary School Association (NOSSA) championships last Thursday. They included Jack Pennie and Allan Wilkin in the boys’ senior slalom skiing division, Patrick McCann in the junior boys’ division and Grace Pennie in the junior girls’ division.
Jack Pennie finished fourth overall in the senior boys’ division at the NOSSA championships which were held at the Adanac Ski Hill in Sudbury on Thursday of last week. Mr. Pennie would have qualified for the provincials, but the province had already cancelled all Ontario high school winter provincial championships. While none of the other Mustangs placed, no one was disqualified (missed gates) and had flawless runs.
Volunteer coach of the MSS team was Lara Pennie, who Jordan Smith (MSS sports coordinator) said “did an awesome job getting the team prepared for the slalom runs.”
The Mustangs snowboarding team also took part in the NOSSA championships at the Adanac Ski Hill in Sudbury, on Wednesday of last week.
Three boys competed, with junior boys’ team member Xavi Mara placing sixth. Tobi Madrigal Brown and David Gibbons, (both in the boys’ senior division) did not place but both displayed great commitment to the team, said Mr. Smith. “The really good news is that we (MSS) have a good group of skiiers and snowboarders who will be competing over the next two years.”
The Mustangs girls’ curling team, that had won the North Shore Secondary School Association championship the previous week, took part in the NOSSA championships held in Sudbury last week.
The team includes skip Bella Jefkins, vice Katelyn Shank, second Autumn Davy, and lead Sadie Bridgeman. The team is coached by Angela Johnston.
The Mustangs took part in NOSSA, March 2-3, and posted a one win two loss record. They also had the highest score overall in the draw to the button (for hammer in each game) shootout to the button.
“This was a very impressive showing for a new team. This was the first time this team worked together as a group,” said Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith told The Expositor that both Mustangs boys’ basketball teams played last week with the junior boys’ team defeating W.C. Eaket High School, and the senior boys dropping their game. Both teams will be taking part in NOSSA championships this week.
The Mustangs boys’ junior and senior volleyball teams played regular season games last week. Both teams played in Blind River and played W.C. Eaket high school. The junior team won their game, while the senior team showed determination and NOSSA pride, with both squads moving on to NOSSA this week in Sudbury.
The Mustangs girls’ volleyball teams played last week. The Mustangs girls’ junior volleyball team played against VFJ of Blind River and Espanola High School, defeating both their opponents in two straight games each, without losing a set in the process.
The Mustangs senior girls’ team played against both Espanola and Elliot Lake in games played in Espanola last week. MSS played each team twice and only lost one set during their four wins. In the last game they played against Elliot Lake, the Mustangs won in thrilling fashion, 31-29.
Both teams will be taking part in NOSSA this week, with MSS hosting the seniors’ tournament Thursday and the juniors playing in Espanola Wednesday.