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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-03-08, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012.Sports Registration: Thursday, March 8 ~ 6 pm - 8 pm Saturday, March 10 ~ 10 am - 1 pm at LONDESBOROUGH TOWNSHIP SHED (just east of school) LONDESBOROUGH MINOR BALL For more info call Jenn at 519-523-4869 or 519-523-4399 or Wilma at 519-482-3738 or Janet at 519-482-9915 www.londesboroughminorbaseball.shutterfly.com By Michele Studhalter Nordic Skiing – a sport that is commonly unknown – has recently captured the hearts of local athletes. Year by year, more athletes join and become enthralled with a sport that offers family time and health benefits to its participants. This year has by far been the most successful for Blyth skiers, which is ironic as it has also been the year with the least amount of consistent snowfall. The season started in Duntroon for the Banana Belt Invitational and Barrie for the Thames Valley Invitational. Honourable mentions go out Blyth residents Michele Studhalter and Matt Chalmers who placed 10th and 16th in their respective categories. The season continued with indoor training due to the lack of snow. As F.E. Madill Secondary School coach Julie Sawchuk puts it: “Training on spin bikes is not exactly the same as racing up the escarpment with skis. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” The “Ski for Life” fundraiser for leukemia was the next race held in Duntroon (virtually the only place that had snow). Top six finishers came from St.Anne’s students Kenny Huether, Andrew Avis and Jason Huber, F.E. Madill’s Marion and Michele Studhalter and from Central Huron Secondary School Matt Chalmers. After competing at two races and for many skiers their only time on snow, all local high school racers headed to Huron-Perth Championships. The races were originally scheduled in St. Mary’s but were moved to Duntroon because of the lack of snow. In novice girls the top five finishers all came from Central Huron and F.E. Madill with Belgrave’s Emily Meier finishing in fourth place. In novice boys St. Anne’s student Mac Smith won the race. In junior girls Marion Studhalter finished in fourth place. In junior boys the top local finisher was Luke Melady of St. Anne’s. In the senior girls race after completing 5.5 km in 17:38, Michele Studhalter was named Huron-Perth champion. St. Anne’s Shannen Murray rounded out the top five. In an exciting 8.5 km senior boys race St. Anne’s Andrew Avis beat Matt Chalmers by only eight seconds. Three St. Anne’s skiers, including Blyth’s Leendert Van Dorp, rounded out the top 10. The success continued the following week at WOSSA with Abby Pittock (Wingham) and Blyth’s Ashley Walden both finishing second in the novice races. In the junior girls race Marion Studhalter had a strong fourth place finish. Londesborough’s Lexi Aitken also managed to qualify with a 15th place finish. In junior boys, Jamie Huber finished eighth, Blyth’s Tyler Boven came 12th followed by Luke Melady and Adrian McTaggart. In the senior girls race Michele Studhalter placed second followed by Shannen Murray in sixth place. In the senior boys, both the St. Anne’s and Central Huron teams qualified to go on to OFSAA. The St. Anne’s team was led by Avis and included Blyth’s JanPaul and Leendert Van Dorp. The Central Huron team was led by Chalmers who placed second individually (7.7 seconds behind Avis) and included Blyth’s Adam Cronin. St. Anne’s won senior combined which meant they qualified both their senior teams. Many of the above mentioned athletes qualified for OFSAA, held in Huntsville Feb. 23 and 24. It included both individual and relay races. Individually Avis had the best local result finishing 11th followed by Chalmers in 20th. Top 50 finishes came from Marion and Michele Studhalter (39th, 36th), Murray (46th), Jordan Kadleci (47th). Team scores lead the St. Anne’s girls to an 18th place finish, Central Huron boys came 15th and St. Anne’s boys placed sixth. The following day, for the first time in North America, the main street in Huntsville was closed and 1,400 cubic metres of snow were trucked in to build a race course – bringing the racers to the spectators. St. Anne’s senior boys team fought hard to qualify for the final, in which they placed eighth. Congratulations to all racers for such a fantastic season. Well done Area skiers had another good Nordic skiing season, with students from three different area high schools doing well on the provincial level. Representing the area last month were, back row from left: JanPaul Van Dorp and Leendert Van Dorp, both from St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School, and Marion and Michele Studhalter from F.E. Madill Secondary School. Front row, from left: Tyler Boven, Matt Chalmers and Adam Cronin, all from Central Huron Secondary School. (Photo submitted) Studhalters, others compete at OFSAA Nordic skiing On Saturday, March 3 the Wingham Golf and Curling Club hosted the annual Belgrave mixed bonspiel. Winner of the first draw was the Forster family led by skip Kyle, his sister Ashley and parents Terri and Wayne. The second draw came down to a draw to the button with Linda and Fred Meier, joined by Joyce and John Thompson coming out on top. The curlers enjoyed a good day and shared many laughs along the way. Organizers Linda Meier and John Nixon did a terrific job putting the spiel together. Cheryl and Candace did a stellar job in the kitchen and Bruce had the ice in great shape. In regular club play on Monday, Feb. 27 the daytime curlers kicked off the week with 12 teams. Winning skips were Roy Aitcheson, Hugh Clugston, Bill Tolton, Lynn Hickey, Bruce Robertson and Stewart Leedham. Monday night the Bob Johnston and Rob Warwick teams curled their way to victory. The Tuesday ladies going home with wins were Jen and Emily Elston and Carol Horton. Niel Edgar and Earl Fitch came away winners in the Tuesday competitive league. Wednesday night mixed winners were Jill Eadie and Rob Middleton while Wayne Horton and Robert Grein settled for a tie. Thursday daytime saw Clayt Ruppel battle back from a five-point deficit to pick up the win. Other winners were Les Shaw, Bill Tolton, Lynn Hickey, Bruce Robertson and Mac Inglis. The Belgrave skips picking up wins were Murray Sheill, Fred Meier and Larry Johnston. Friday night Barry Simpson, Lynn Hickey, Wayne Horton and Bill McDonald finished the week on top. OUT OF THE HACK NEWS With March, the last month of the curling season underway, the Wingham Golf and Curling Club is gearing up for the golf season. The weatherman is talking warm temperatures for the next few weeks and it would be great to get an early start to spring golfing. The club is offering early bird membership rates and anyone interested should contact Bruce at the pro shop. Skips and Stones – By Bruce Skinn Doing their part Michele, left, and Marion Studhalter were two of the area’s top Nordic skiers this season. Both competed at the OFSAA championships, held in Huntsville in late February. (Photo submitted) Lightning advance to provincials The Saugeen Maitland Bantam AA Lightning finished a busy week, playing four games inside of seven days while qualifying both for the Provincial Championships and advancing to the Lower Lakes Division Finals. Tuesday the Lightning travelled to Stratford to take on the Aces in Provincial Playdown action. The Bolts came out flying, scoring early and often for the 6-0 shutout win. Scoring for the Lightning were Jamie Simpson, Lexi Smith, Neve VanPelt, Jessica Dales, Miranda Lantz and Ashlee Lawrence. Ciara Lark, Avery Reeves, Nikki Zabel and Cassidy Mason added assists. Rebecca Ropp earned the shutout. Thursday night the Aces made the return trip for a Lightning home game in Teeswater. Again the Bolts carried the play, advancing to the OWHA Provincial Championships in April with a 4-1 win. Reeves scored 2 while Zabel and Lantz added singles. Kaitlin Eckert, Hannah Herman and VanPelt contributed with helpers. Morgan Baker was solid between the pipes to earn the win in net. Saturday, Saugeen Maitland continued their second round Lower Lakes play-off series with the Bluewater Hawks. The Lightning started strong, scoring the first two goals, but could not hold on as the Hawks came back with four unanswered, including an empty- net, goals. Lantz scored first, assisted by Mason and Smith. Smith then scored one of her own with helpers from Lark and Mason. The Bluewater home ice win set up the series rubber match in Howick on Sunday. Both teams came ready and hungry for the chance to advance in the League playoffs. This time the Hawks started the game with more jump and scored the opening goal. However, the Lightning were not to be denied and came back strong, scoring three straight goals for the 3-1 lead. Lantz scored twice with assists awarded to Maddie Duncan, Herman and Eckert. Smith tucked one under the Bluewater tender on the wrap- around. The Hawks added another before VanPelt deflected in a Zabel point shot to make the score 4-2 at the end of the second frame. Bluewater scored one to make it 4-3 early in the third, but the Bolts showed resilience, holding the Hawks at bay for the remainder of the period for the victory. The Lightning now await their opponent for the Lower Lakes South-West Division final series. For current schedule and results go to www.saugeenmaitlandlightning.com