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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-02-09, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012. PAGE 9. Winter Sports Pages Blyth B u l l d o g s A t o m — B a c k r o w , f r o m l e f t : L o r e t t a T h o m p s o n , T r e v o r R a y n a r d , Aaron P o p p , T y l e r B l a c k , J o h n L e C o m t e , J e f f P l a e t z e r , M a t t h e w P o p p , F o u r t h r o w : Coaches K i r k S t e w a r t , C h a d H a g g i t t , C o l e S t e w a r t , K a r e n P e n n i n g t o n , D o r e e n Thomps o n , L i n d a P l a e t z e r , D o u g W a l k e r , L a r r y P l a e t z e r . T h i r d r o w : C o d y D u c h a r m e , Dana Te e d , J a m i e P l a e t z e r , K e l s e y S m i t h , M a t t h e w C l a r k e , E m m a B r o h m . S e c o n d row: Ry a n P a q u i n , A l i c i a M i d d e g a a l , C a r l y W h i t f i e l d , C o d y R i c h m o n d , K i r b y C o o k , Cody K e d d y , C a l e b B r o w n . F r o n t r o w : A d a m C r o n i n , K e v i n P e n n i n g t o n , J o n a t h o n Atkinso n , K a y l a B l a c k . A b s e n t : S t e v e n E l l i s . The Citizen Coaches and parents ~ we need your team’s picture and players’ names • Hockey • Broomball 1. Please submit team photo A.S.A.P. 2. Please include players’ and coaches’ names for under the photo. Please help us get ALL the Winter Sports teams published. 404 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 Londesborough-area’s Aitken wins national goldLondesborough-area student Lexi Aitken earned national track and field championship honours before she started high school and is continuing to impress after earning two first place wins this school year. The track and field star who just started her Grade 9 year at St.Anne’s Catholic Secondary School came in first at the Ontario Relay Indoor Championships over the weekend in the 60-metre hurdles with a time of 9.5 seconds, was part of a relay team that placed second overall and took ninth overall in a 300-metre open race against competitors from every age group. She also competed in The Royal Canadian Legion Indoor Meet two weeks ago where she took champion’s honours in the 60-metre hurdle event and the Athletics Ontario multi-event which consists of 60 metre hurdles, the high jump, shot put and the 200-metre race. Prior to that she wowed competitors last year at the National Track and Field meet in Ottawa over the summer. “I did very well last summer,” she said. “I finished fifth in the 300- metre race and finished first for my age group. My time was 41 seconds.”Aitken said she also participatedin the 200-metre race and high jump.While her athleticism plays a part in the wins, Aitken said that she does as well as she does because she trains constantly for the events. “I train a couple of times a week at the London Legion,” she said. “Sandy and Joe Cooper-Ryder, my coaches, really help me stay focused.” Aitken said that she has always loved track and field but didn’t really know what she could do until she stepped on the field to compete. “After seeing what I was capable of, I wanted to continue with training and competing,” she said. “I want to keep doing this for a long time.” Aitken said that her schedule is busy due to track and field and her love of sports. “I do every sport I can at school,” she said. “This year I’ve done cross country, volleyball and Nordic. I did well at cross country; I placed top 20 in several different places.” She said that if she were to have a secret that helped her get so far, it is to roll with the results. “You can’t pressure yourself too much,” she said. “You see what happens and let that take you where it can.” Aitken’s parents and family, teachers and coaches have all playeda strong part of her competing, but a lot of the inspiration comes fromwithin, she says.“I love it, I really love competing.” Champion Lexi Aitken, centre, of the Londesborough area is leaving no doubt as to her athletic ability. The St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School student competed well at the National Track and Field meet over the summer and continued her winning ways at the Ontario Indoor Relay meet over the weekend and at the Royal Canadian Legion Indoor Meet two weekends ago. Aitken is shown here atop the podium with two of her fellow competitors at the Royal Canadian Legion Match. (Photo submitted) By Denny ScottThe Citizen Ironman named Junior C league’s Most Valuable player Aaron Armstrong of the Wingham Ironmen was selected as the most valuable player of the Western Junior C Hockey League for the 2011-12 season. Eric Lekun of the first place Walkerton Hawks was the scoring champion as he collected 84 points on 42 goals and 42 assists. Armstrong was runner-up with 80 points on 26 goals and a league- leading 54 assists. Wade Stephenson of Brussels finished in sixth place in the individual scoring race with 52 points on 29 goals and 23 assists. Mitchell Hawks goaltender Drew Reinhardt was named the rookie of the year. Troy Hill of the Mount Forest Patriots was the most sportsmanlike player, finishing the regular season with just 10 minutes in penalties. Jordan Turcotte of the Walkerton Hawks was named the league’s best defenceman. The Mitchell Hawks netminding tandem of Reinhardt and Tyler Van Boekel were the best team goaltenders. The coach of the year award was presented to Chris Stewart of the Mitchell Hawks. The Walkerton Hawks were the regular season champions. PeeWee team celebrates 40 years The 1971-72 Blyth PeeWee hockey team had a lot to celebrate 40 years ago. Around February, the group ‘E’ team was gearing up for a play-off run that would lead to them being named the All-Ontario Minor Hockey Team for towns their size. Tom Pollard, a Blyth-area farmer and member of the team, has been in contact with most of the members of the 12-man team and decided to celebrate the event a little early on Hockey Day in Canada on Feb. 12. “We wanted to play to remember the event but people are having trouble getting here,” he said. Pollard decided to “leave the door open” after the game didn’t come to fruition, but change the venue. “We’re going to go to the [Blyth Legion] and reminisce and anyone’s welcome to come,” he said. Pollard said that a celebration may be held later in the year to recognize the milestone. A championship picture as well as the team’s banner can still be found at the Blyth and District Community Centre. MVP Wingham Ironman Aaron Armstrong was named the most valuable player in the Western Jr. C Hockey League for the 2011-2012 season. (Jim Brown photo)