BY IAN THORPE
This week we continue our recognition of top Nanaimo District Lacrosse Association teams from the past season, along with individual players honoured at the recent minor lacrosse AGM…
The midget A Timbermen (ages 15-16) boys’ team qualified for provincials that were held in Langley after earlier earning a gold medal in a Vernon tournament. Players on the roster were Colby Bowman, Trey Boylan, Ashton Bryant, Parker Davie, Carter Ekland, Christian Harris, Wil Hawthornthwaite, Leino Lestage, Kam McDonald, Jake McGonigle, Andrew Mjoen, Luke Ory, Tosh Paziuk, Marshall Pike, Nolan Ross, Evan Soucy, Derian Thompson, Fisher Zawasky, Fair Play Award winner Jayden Tomiyama and provincial all-star Karson Gregory. Head coach for the team was Chris Bowman.
Local girls’ teams also enjoyed great success this past season. The Nanaimo bantam B girls (ages 13-14) competed at provincials in Port Coquitlam where they went undefeated in the round robin part of the tournament and went on to win gold in the final. Head coach was Toni Angell. Players on the squad included Alexa Berg, Aylah Mrus, Camryn Baglo, Charlise MacDonald, Courtney Branchi, Elise Olson, Hailey Nohr, Jocelyn Apperloo, Kaelee Zarkovic, Keira Martin, Lauren Olson, Pyper Bekkers, Raquel Hleck, Rhys Winchell, Teagan Reimer and Veronica Jones. Also Fair Play Award winner Jayde Wassell and tournament MVP and all-star Chantelle Lee.
Also at provincials were midget (ages 15-16) and junior (ages 17-21) Nanaimo girls’ teams. The midget team was coached by Andy Reynolds. Haley Campbell was chosen for both an all-star selection and the Fair Play award. Others on the squad were Brianna Smith, Jocelyn Martin, Lydia Zart, Katie Terry, Elle Kotapski, Alyssa MacDonald, Peyton Thompson-Wyse, Kylynn Salmon, Faryn Good, Meagan Sharpe, Sarah Dmytruk, Savannah Young, Amelia Usborne, Jordana Ruff, Jazmin Patenaude and Maddy Rypma.
Representing Nanaimo on the junior girls’ team were Jayne Nystrom, Sarah Ferguson, Claire Cook, Jessica Ory, Ainsley Allan, Biranna Cooper, Sophie Scobie, Addison Battie, Celine Therberge, Mackinna Borque, Nicole Briggs, Kaelyn Dorman, Taelor Zarkovic, Danielle Bordeleau, Hannah Boas, Jazzy Shafi, Shayla Frinton and Elise Angelucci. Taylor Olsen won the Fair Play award, while Ronnie Robinson was named a tournament all-star.
Congratulations also to head coach Darren Angell who received the Fair Play coaching award.
Of special note is that players Cooper, Allan, Scobie and Shafi were selected to play for Team B.C. in the North American Indigenous Games in Toronto this past summer where they earned bronze. Scobie was also selected as a recipient of the 2017 Premier’s Award for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in sport.
Individual awards presented at the minor lacrosse AGM saw Hayley Campbell chosen as Goalie of the Year, with Evan Soucy the Defensive Player of the Year. Darian Thompson was Most Sportsmanlike Player. Sarah Dmytruk won both Most Improved Player and Official of the Year, while Graduation Player of the Year was Jake McGonigle. Coach of the Year was Shane Terris and Manager of the Year was Jenny Bennett.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair and show good sportsmanship.