The local lacrosse season is now well underway and teams representing the Nanaimo District Lacrosse Association have already been busy and have enjoyed early-season successes…
Two weekends ago, Nanaimo Ice Centre was host venue for the 36th annual Tim White Memorial Bantam Lacrosse Tournament. Eighteen teams of 13-14 year-olds took part, including visiting squads from as far away as Penticton. Three NDLA teams also took part and all did extremely well to take home medals.
It was a very successful and well-organized three-day tournament and my thanks to tournament director Kim Sharpe for passing along results. The organizing committee consisted of parents from each local team and included Marci Ekland, Leah Paziuk, Brandy Lindskog, Sukh Mehta, Joanna Bowman, Brent Edwards, Kaz Tomiyama, Lorraine Carlson, Laurie Edwards, Cori Keay and tourmanent commissioner Brande Terris. A tip of the cap also goes to the many local sponsors.
Teams were divided into three divisions – A2, B and C. In the A2 division final, Saanich took the gold medal with a 10-2 victory over Peninsula. Nanaimo earned the bronze medal, downing Penticton 6-3. Chris Bowman and Rod Ekland were coaches for the local boys and Joanna Bowman was team manager. Players were Colby Bowman, Dylan Clark, Luke Ory, Nolan Tomiyama, Aidan Collery, Mitchell Finner, Ashton Bryant, Riley Gannon, Brendan Carlson, Zak Giszas, Nolan Ross, West Cateaux, Carter Ekland, Wes Degear, Tosh Paziuk, Kameron McDonald and Darius Edwards.
The B division final went to overtime, where Oceanside edged Nanaimo 5-4 in a thriller. Proud winners of the silver medal were players Erik Forbes, Jordon Ernst, Cole Percevault, Kiera Arsenault, Titus Schwartz, Finnley Goodliffe, Kenny Sweet, Tyler Wingert, Aidan Willis, Owen Wellard, Taylor Lysne, Kennady Fisher, Caleb Banman, Eran Hamer, Peter Van Gemeren, Ty McNeilly, Jerome Lorenz, Zachary Watson, Bailey Demuth, Emily Forbes, Wyatt Surgenor, Cole Dumont and Kaden Jarratt. Head coach was Sean Harris, assisted by Brent Davidson, Tal James, Rob Weeks and team manager Sukh Mehta.
Victoria downed Cowichan 8-3 in the C division final, but the local Nanaimo squad claimed the bronze medal with a 3-2 victory over Delta. Coach was Martin Rheault, manager was Brandy Lindskog and players were Rowen Pow, Harry Wicks, Brenden Rheault, Maeson Sawden, Lynden Wellwood, Dante Bob, William Wyse-Morris, Bruno Sanderson, Colby Williamson, Dominic Bellwood, Hayden Christianson, Nolan Pritchard, Silas Wilson, Mason Nordli, Trystan Seward-Good, Carson Zarkovic, Hayden Hayes, Jamie Nash and Gina Bob.
Meanwhile, other NDLA teams were also earning medals at out-of-town tournaments. In Coquitlam, the female bantam Timbermen won the Adanac Challenge tournament, winning gold by edging a previously undefeated Semiahmoo team 6-5 in the final. On the player roster were Raquel McGrath-Hleck, Joscelin Martin, Jayde Wassell, Olivia Ory, Maddy Rypma, Lydia Zart, Katie Terry, Aylah Mrus, Amelia Usborne, Charlise MacDonald, Courtney Branchi, Shanice Kobzos, Jordana Ruff, Faryn Good, Meagan Sharpe, Abby Stewart, Kylynn Salmon, Amber Grais, Savannah Young and MVP goalie Haley Campbell. Coaching the team was Toni Angell and assisted by Jeff MacDonald and Shaelynn Ross.
Congratulations also the Nanaimo Timbermen peewee C boys’ team that played well and won a silver medal at the Captain Cook tournament in Juan de Fuca. The boys were coached by Larry Carter, assisted by Karel Carter, Erik Conroy and Jason Kristiansen, with Tammy Carter the team manager. Players were Tylin Chartrand, Kyle Boothby, Ryan Wakelam, Jamie Birch, Reggie Brooks, Damon Higgins, Jacob Lofstrom, Jordan Conroy, Cody Edwards-Reid, Trey Manson, Nathan Kirk, Carson Somerville, Reid Muise, David McIver, Marlon Harris Holota, Kyle Kristiansen, Tyson Hindson, Presley White and J.J. Bender.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.