Huron Expositor, 2004-02-18, Page 1212 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, FEBRUARY 11), 2004
Sports
Shepherd challenging herself in all sports
By Sara Campbell
Expositor Staff
Give Alina Shepherd a piece
of sporting equipment and a
brief lesson and she could end -
up with a championship medal.
"I just enjoy trying new
things. I like sports and I really
do have a unique balance,"
said Shepherd, the daughter of
Robert and Carolin, of
Seaforth.
The Grade 12 Central Huron
Secondary School student
recently competed with the
Huron Modern Pentathlon club
at the Canadian Winter
Nationals in Guelph on Jan. 29
and 30 and finished third in her
division.
"I went for the fun of it but it
was good experience too," said
Shepherd, who entered in the
pentathlon competition for first
time.
The Modern Pentathlon is
contested over five events
including pistol shooting, epee
fencing, swimming, horseback
riding and running. The riding
is not held during winter
events.
"Everyone there was fairly
serious but they were really
fun too," said Shepherd. "I'm
glad I went and I hope to go
back again."
Shepherd's first sporting
lessons began with horseback
riding when she was eight
years old.
"I love horses but now I just
ride at a friend's house," she
said. "I entered in some local
competitions when I was
young but I don't really like to
compete. I just like to have
ftm„
The 17 -year-old said when
she started high school she
found a passion for track and
field and was the Huron -Perth
fust place finalist in the three -
kilometre run two consecutive
years.
She said she began training
London
group
proposing
summer
hockey
school
By Sara Campbell
Expositor Staff
The same London group
that is proposing to create a
new Jr. 'D hockey team in
Seaforth is also proposing a
new summer hockey school.
"We heard that there was an
interest here and a need for a
school and we hope to help
out and get the local kids
involved,"said Rick Agar,
general manager of the
McGafka-Pro Group.
Agar said the group learned
of a need for a hockey school
while developing their
proposal for a Seaforth Jr. D
team. He said they also know
they will have arena time
available in the summer to run
the hockey school.
Derek Askew, president of
the McGafka-Pro Group, said
there is also the possibility of
players from the London
Knights helping to lead the
school.
"We have some friends on
the Knights team so we're just
waiting to hear the final word
from them," he said.
"Hopefully we'll see some
Knights fans in Seaforth."
Askew added that the six
week program will be held for
children and youth at three
different age levels.
"We'll definitely know by
March what all the details are
and begin taking registration
then," said Agar.
Although the group will not
know until June whether the
Ontario Hockey Association
has approved their application
to form the Jr. D team, Agar
said they will run the school
with or without approval.
The group will receive
unofficial word in March from
the OHA of whether their
application will be accepted.
"We plan to go ahead with
the school either way," said
Agar.
in running two years ago with
coach Baird Robinson, of the
pentathlon club.
"He's really dedicated to his
sport because he does so
much," she said. "His classes
are fun and he has been really
helpful."
But a horseback riding
accident last year left Shepherd
with a broken ankle and
prevented her from
participating in any track and
field events. That is when
Robinson suggested trying
other sports, she said.
After her ankle healed,
Shepherd said this past
September she began taking a
fencing classes with Robinson
at St. Joseph's School in
Clinton every Friday.
"This was something I
would have never thought
about doing before. It's not a
well known sport but I thought
I would give it a try," she said.
"It can be challenging to try
to remember all the different
moves. It's kind of like you're
dancing really, there's just so
many steps."
Shepherd said she only
recently learned pistol shooting
through one of her fencing
classmates.
"I felt like I really did not
know what I was doing going
into the pentathlon competition
but I thought I should give it
try. It was actually only my
second time shooting," she
said.
Although, Shepherd said the
Huron Modern Pentathlon club
is now training for the
summer's provincial and
Sara Campbell photo
Alina Shepherd could just be a `jack of all trades" when it
comes to sports. The Seaforth teen is having fun as she works
towards becoming a pentathlon champion.
national championships, she
said she does not know
whether she will attend.
"I hope to go and try it all
again but I hope to get hack in
into running again this year.
It's going to be hard to get
back into it after a year off but
I hope 1 can do better," said
Shepherd, adding that she
plans to beat her best overall
time of 11:06 in the three -
kilometre run.
When Shepherd is not taking
lessons or competing she said
she also enjoys canoeing,
skiing and now snowboarding.
She added that she owes her
enthusiasm towards sports to
her parents.
"My parents are very
supportive. They like me to
stay active and encourage me
in all my sports," she said.
SEAFORTH MINOR SOCCER ASSOCIATION
REGISTRATION
Soccer Registration March 1st
Joint registration Wed. Mar. 10th Thurs. Mar. llth
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
at Seaforth & District Community Centres
House League Soccer:
12 Week Program: Wednesday at the Optimist Park
Registration Fee:
Junior ages 3 & 4 -- $20.00
Intermediate ages 5,6,7 & 8 — $25.00
Senior ages 9,10,11 & 12 — $25.00
Travel League Socccr:
Includes teams from Blyth, Clinton, Goderich,
Lucknow & Wingham
Registration Fee: - $50.00 season begins week of May 7.
Absolutely NO registration for travel teams
AFTER March 12, 2004.
All teams for both House League and Travel
League will be mixed (boys and girls).
WANTED!!!
Referees, Volunteers to coach, and anyone
interested in helping.
Referee and Coaching Clinics to be
scheduled and announced.
Minor soccer will pay registration fee for
those wishing to attend.
vir
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