This past summer was another successful one for teams representing the Nanaimo District Lacrosse Association. A number of young players earned the opportunity to compete at provincial playoffs and even at the national level.
Those earning medals included the Nanaimo peewee A1 team which had an excellent season and captured the Island title. Then it was on to provincials in Richmond. In the championship game Ridge Meadows claimed gold with a close 6-4 win, but Nanaimo was full measure for the silver medal. On the team were players Dante Paziuk, Maguire Sjogren, Jayden Thomas, Nathan Smith, Hayden Landa, Dylan Manson, Logan Dean, Brett Merner, Adam Jacklin, Garett Adshead, Patrick Seward, Luke Lavery, Logan Schmidt, Connor deWit, Ethan Stannard, Logan Bob, Jake McInnes, all-star Andrew Bowman and Fair Play award winner Matt Boas. Assistant coaches for the team were Brian Boas, Erick Merner and Billy Schmidt. Head coach was Brett Fleming, who was awarded Fair Play Coach by his fellow coaches at the provincial tournament.
Meanwhile, at provincials in Vancouver, the Nanaimo bantam A2 Timbermen came away with a bronze medal thanks to an 8-2 victory over Prince George. On the roster were Colby Bowman, Ashton Bryant, Brendan Carlson, West Cateaux, Aidan Collery, Wes DeGear, Darius Edwards, Carter Ekland, Mitchell Finner, Zachery Giszas, Kameron McDonald, Luke Ory, Tosh Paziuk, Nolan Ross, Nolen Tomiyama, Fair Play award winner Dylan Clark and tournament all-star Riley Gannon. Coach for the boys was Chris Bowman.
Local girls’ teams also advanced to provincials this past season. Among them, the peewee Timbermen competed at the B.C. Lacrosse championships in Victoria and edged Coquitlam Adanacs 3-2 in the bronze-medal game. Coaches for the team were Dean Thomas and Amy Cooke-Yarborough. Players were tournament all-star Elise Olson, Fair Play award winner Keira Martin, along with Veronica Jones, Sarah Cooper, Camryn Baglo, Elizabeth Rocha, Madelyn Thomas, Peyton Smith, Kaelee Zarkovic, Alexa Berg, Jocelyn Apperloo, Pyper Bekkers, Avery Winchell, Lauren Olson, Rhys Winchell, Tayah Sampson, Hailey Nohr and Teagan Reimer.
Just missing out on a bronze medal at provincials was the Nanaimo bantam girls’ squad which was edged 2-0 by New Westminster. Still, it was a very successful season for the local team. Chosen as an all-star was Olivia Ory. Head coach for the girls was Toni Angell, assisted by Jeff MacDonald and Shaelyn Ross.
Special congratulations go to local players who were selected to play at nationals this season. At the peewee level, Andrew Bowman, Matthew Boas, and Brett Merner were part of Team B.C. that won a national bronze medal in Whitby, Ont. Alternates were Luke Lavery, Dylan Manson, and Jake McInnes. Nanaimo’s Will Cookman also claimed a bronze medal in Whitby as a member of the Team B.C. midget squad.
The accomplishments of players and coaches from the past season will be recognized at the Nanaimo District Lacrosse Association’s annual general meeting Sunday (Oct. 30) at 6 p.m. at the Departure Bay Activity Centre.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.