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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-11-10, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011. PAGE 9. Madill Sr. Girls take OFSAA cross country goldThe F.E. Madill Secondary SchoolSenior Girls cross country team wasall smiles as they returned from theOntario Federation of School Athletics Association (OFSAA) Cross Country Championships with gold medals hanging from their necks. The girls team joined thousands of runners competing in Ottawa last weekend at the event, which is the highest level of high school competition in Ontario where the best runners in the province meet to compete. This year, Madill’s Senior Girls team won the honour of representing their school for the second consecutive year, at this provincial competition where they won gold as a team. The meet was held at the Green’s Creek Conservation Area in Ottawa. It was perfect cross country weather with clear sunny skies and temperatures hovering around 6ºC. It is rare in the life of a school of Madill’s location and size that a group of girls with the level of running talent coupled with dedication come together at one time. It wasn’t just one season of work but several years of practices, competitions and racing experience that culminated in the success the girls experienced at this year’s OFSAA. There were plenty of nerves and raw excitement on the starting line as the girls found their place among the multitude of senior girl runners. When the gun went off, the Madill girls ran hard off the line fighting for a place near the front of the pack. The pace was furious and emotions ran high. Elbows were flying, legs were kicking, girls were jostling for position. Over the next 20 minutes, they ran a grueling five-kilometre race over rolling hills, along wooded trails, up a steep toboggan hill, along muddy flat lands and then made thefinal kick over grassy fields to thefinish line. It was a total team effort, each runner doing their part for the team. Julie-Anne Staehli and Madeline Yungblut ran together at the front of the pack (15th and 16th) and were Madill’s first runners across the line. Then Brianna Bird, of Blyth, was the third Madill runner followed soon after by Erin Yungblut and Rachael Nivins. At race’s end, there was exhaustion and triumph and no regrets. Each girl had run the hardest race she could. When the team results were announced, a great cheer arose from the Madill contingency as they were announced the winners of the OFSAA gold. This is the only time in the history of the school that Madill has won OFSAA cross country team medals and to win gold is an exceptional accomplishment because they competed against every school in the province from A to AAAA. Madill’s OFSAA medalists are Julie-Anne Staehli, Madeline Yungblut, Brianna Bird, Erin Yungblut, Rachael Nivins, Michele Studhalter, and Kaitlin Bloemberg. This was an exceptional group of athletes. In this year alone, these girls have accumulated 18 OFSAA medals in the three sports in which they compete (nordic skiing, track and field, and cross country running). This is an incredible accomplishment not just as individuals but for the school they represent. History was made with this year’s win. It marks the first time in the history of Madill’s running program that a team has medaled at OFSAA. The gold medals made the accomplishment even better. Ontario Champs The F.E. Madill Secondary School Senior Girls Cross Country team took first place at the Ontario Federation of School Athletics Association Cross Country Championships in Ottawa on Nov. 5. The members of the team are, from left: Michele Studhalter, Madeline Yungblut, Julie-Anne Staehli, Erin Yungblut, Brianna Bird, Rachael Nivins and Kaitlin Bloemberg. (Photo submitted) Lightning make tourney finals The Saugeen Maitland Bantam AA Lightning girls travelled to Rochester, New York to participate in the Bauer International Invite tournament last weekend. The Lightning did more than proudly represent their region and each of their hometowns, they finished second out of 24 of the best Bantam AA teams in Ontario and all of the United States. The Bolts started the tournament Friday morning with a 5-2 win over the Gloucester Cumberland Stars. Friday afternoon the girls outplayed the Chicago Mission, outshooting them 29-5, but ended up on the short end of a 1-0 score. On Saturday the Lightning faced last year’s U.S. National Champion, the East Coast Wizards, in a must- win situation and downed them 3-1. This put the Bolts into the quarter- finals against the previously unbeaten Bluewater Hawks. The Lightning prevailed again downing the Hawks 3-1. The semi-finals brought a rematch against the Chicago Mission and this time the Lightning were not to be denied, sending the Mission home on the wrong end of a 2-0 score. In the finals the Lightning met their rivals the Oakville Hornets. The pesky Hornets edged the Lightning 2-1 in a game that showed both teams were tiring after six games in three days. Scoring the Lightning on the weekend were Avery Reeves (three), Nikki Zabel (two), Tori Terpstra (two), Miranda Lantz (two), Ashlee Lawrence, Kaitlin Eckert, Lexi Smith, Cassidy Mason and Ciara Lark. Assists were awarded to Lantz (three), Lark (two), Lawrence (two), Neve VanPelt (two), Jessica Dales (two), Lexi Smith, Hannah Herman and Eckert. This Saturday, Nov. 12 is Sponsor Appreciation Day at the Howick arena when the Bluewater Hawks make a return visit. The game begins at 3 p.m. and is one of six games scheduled for the event. We’ve got what you need for a real Country Christmas Fresh Hayter’s Turkey Orders will be taken until December 9th • Mom’s homemade pies and tarts ~ pre-order for Christmas • Gift boxes and gift certificates also available Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6:30 am - 7 pm, Sat. 8 am - 7 pm, Sun. 11 am - 5 pm WALTON 519-887-8429 Bantam girls remain undefeated with tie The Blyth Brussels Bantam Girls remain undefeated after beating the Upper Maitland Mustangs and the TCDMHA Rebels and tying the Mildmay Monarchs. The Rebels held the Bantam girls to a tight game on Nov. 6, but a goal scored by captain Lauren Bedard and assisted by Teresa Atkinson and Leanne Plunkett was all the girls needed to take the 1-0 win. Goaltender Lindsay Shiell picked up her second shutout of the year in this match, the first being over the Mustangs. The Mildmay Monarchs came back with a vengeance after the Blyth Brussels Bantam Girls had trounced them during their Blyth home opener 8-2. It took goals by Emily Mitchell, Taylor Higgins and Ashley Stevenson, with assists by Mackenzie Nesbitt (2), Teresa Aitkinson and Mitchell just to keep the game tied 3-3 at the final buzzer of the Nov. 5 game. The Upper Maitland Mustangs proved no match for the Bantams during their Nov. 2 game, as the girls were able to trump the visiting team 2-0. Goals were scored by Nesbitt and Mitchell with assists going to Kathryn Chalmers, Mitchell, Nesbitt and Plunkett. The Bantam girls hosted the Mitchell Meteors on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre, but a final score was unavailable at press time. The squad next plays on Nov. 15 when they again take on the Mustangs at the Wallace Township Community Centre. The puck drops at 6 p.m. TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HURON BLYTH WARD NOTICE ALL NIGHT STREET PARKING Due to municipal snow removal operations, the parking of cars on Blyth streets and municipal parking lots during the winter months (November 1 to May 1) will be strictly prohibited. All vehicles must be removed from Blyth streets and roadways of the municipality, between the hours of 2:00 am and 7:00 am. Violators will be prosecuted or will be required to bear the cost of having their vehicle towed away. The owner of any such parked vehicle will be liable for any damage to the said vehicle or to snowplow equipment. and Section 181 of the Highway Traffic Act states: “No person shall deposit snow or ice on a roadway without permission in writing so to do from the Ministry or the road authority responsible for the maintenance of the road.” The fine for violation of Section 181 is $110.00. Gary Long, CAO/Clerk HOW DOES ASTHMA AFFECT PEOPLE? • Sixty per cent of individuals with asthma have symptoms that are poorly controlled, which can often restrict their daily activities • Thirty-nine per cent of individuals report limitation in their physical activity due to asthma • Twenty per cent report absenteeism from school, work or social engagements due to asthma • In Canada, there are approximately 10 deaths from asthma per week; however, it is estimated that more than 80 per cent of asthma deaths can be prevented with proper asthma education and management