Loading...
The Times Advocate, 2004-06-30, Page 19Wednesday,June 30, 2004 Exeter Times–Advocate n. 19 Grand Bend's Devon Webb, 10, is racing in his third season at the Grand Bend Speedway this year. He started in the 'C' class and has now worked his way up to 'A' class, often racing against drivers a few years older.As of last Saturday,Webb was in sixth place in points at the Speedway for the season. Below,Webb leads the pack and eventually wins in the 'A' class heat race on the weekend. (photos/Scott Nixon) Hurricanes swim meet results GUELPH — The Huron Hurricanes attended the 2004 Western Region Novice Meet June 5. Nine novice swimmers spent an action packed day at the Guelph Aquatic Club competing with 15 other clubs from Southwestern Ontario. In the 9 and 10 -year-old girls 50 metre freestyle event Ashley Johnson made a personal best time of 54.11 seconds. Valerie Robinson -Kyle finished earned a personal best time of 1:20.30. Courtney Hymers earned another personal best time of 1:40.88. In the 25 metre butterfly, Hymers shaved milliseconds off her seed time to finish with a 39.36. Kyle finished with a personal best time of 32.79. Ashley Johnson swam a fast 26. 52. In the 100 metre individual medley which combines the butterfly, back- stroke, breaststroke and finishes with a freestyle stroke, Johnson earned a per- sonal best time of 2:21.39. The group of 11 and 12- year-old swim- mers had excellent results. In the 50 metre freestyle, Emily Clarke made a personal best time of 45.43. Shelby Moore cut four seconds off her seed time to finish with a 45.93. In the eight and under girls 25 metre freestyle Mikayla Pettapiece shaved four seconds off to fmish with a time of 29.97. Rachel Peet cut five seconds off her seed time to finish with a 24.53. Congratulations to all of the novice swimmers. For several swimmers it was their first big competitive meet and an exciting day of swimming and fun. Long Course meet The Hurricanes sent 13 swimmers to the Long Course Meet at the University of Guelph Aquatic Centre on May 28. Huron County was well represented with swimmers from Goderich, Clinton, Vanastra and Hensall. The Acton Aqua Ducks hosted the meet which included 15 teams from around Southwestern Ontario. The swimmers proved again that fast is fun. Many of the swimmers earned qualify- ing times earning them a spot at the Western Ontario Regional Meet in St. Catharines. In the boys 13 and 14 year old 200 metre freestyle, Nickolas Vaessen cut 15 seconds off his seed time to finish with a 3:21.06. In the girls 15 and over 50 metre freestyle Christy Hartman of Hensall, cut seconds off her seed time to finish with a 34.00. Sarah Vaessen, of Hensall, swam the 100 metre freestyle in 1:26.80. She earned a personal best time in the 400 metre freestyle with a time of 6:32.99. Mariposa Skating School Several Exeter skaters had an opportunity for the first time to attend the `Seminar' offered by Mariposa School of Skating June 12-14 in Barrie. This program is open to skaters of all ages and lev- els and includes five days of concentrated on -ice and office training. Kelsey and Mackenzie Holtzmann, Sarah Kwajafa and coach Kathy McLlwain were among those attending. The major on ice compo- nents of the seminar included freestyle, spins, footwork, edges, stroking and skills. Off -ice included condi- tioning, improvisation and informative lectures deal- ing with many different issues pertaining to figure skating. All classes were conduct- ed by nationally and inter- nationally renowned coaches under the direc- tion of Douglas Leigh. Mariposa is the home of over 100 Canadian medal- ists and World Champions Brian Orser and Elvis Stojko The skaters and McLwain had the opportu- nity to work with and skate with Jennifer Robinson, Ben Ferreira, Steven Consins, Takeshi Honda, Jeff Buttle, Jeff Langdon and many more. The skaters started at 8:30 a.m and ended at 5 p.m. It went from skating technique to freestyle, footwork and edges to spins, artistic, lectures on nutrition, sports therapy, setting goals, competition preparation, dance class and fitness. The coaches began everyday at 8:30 a.m. with a lecture from Leigh. McLwain said, "he was excellent and highly moti- vating. He is so good. What an opportunity and learning experience for my skaters. It gave them the chance to work with other coaches and meet skaters coming from California, Florida, New Jersey, Budapest, Ireland. I think there were around 200 skaters and 25 coaches." "Everyday I left his lec- tures with lots to think about in coaching and life. Too many of us just go through the motions of everyday life. You need to decide to be that better person at the end of the day." McLwain said her favourite was, "don't talk about the wrong, focus on the right and the wrong will disappear." "I was very proud of my skaters that attended the seminar for their discipline and attentiveness. Their want to learn, hard work and positive attitude, the combination of strong work habits and compan- ionship with their fellow skaters will maintain the skating spirit." "I highly recommend the seminar for skaters and coaches and will look for- ward to attending every year. You have to want to be better, there is always something to learn." "My skaters have had a few weeks of rest from skating and summer school begins July 5 for six weeks and then fall school and winter. As coaches, we usually have June off to upgrade our education and attend seminars while preparing for the upcom- ing year." Lucan pigeon racing news LUCAN — Oh, the way- ward wind! Where on a recent Saturday a strong east wind blew the pigeons home in record time, a week later it was a differ- ent story. And it couldn't have hap- pened at a worse time. Every year the Lucan Homing Pigeon Club spon- sors the Hardy Memorial Race from Grand Mere, Quebec. It's an open race, which means any member in good standing whose lofts are located at least 720 kilometres from Grand Mere, can participate in this race. This year 30 flyers entered 181 pigeons in this Super Race. These pigeons were released at 6 a.m. From the start they flew into the teeth of a very strong north-west wind. The helpful breeze from the week before had turned into a hostile adversary. But just like the other carriers whom neither rain nor sleet nor wind shall keep from their appointed rounds, these pigeons delivered! Mr. H. McIntyre from Drumbo had the pleasure of clocking his first pigeon at 7:15 p.m. that same day. Thrilled he was when he learned his bird had won the number one spot. Only three other pigeons made it "home on the day." They were birds belong- ing to L. and R. Richardson, B. and C. Popp, and B. Swance, all members of clubs in the Tillsonburg area. Early the next day clock- ing started again. Lucan's Jack Hardy was " up with the birds." He clocked his first pigeon at 8:15 a.m., good for position eight. Norm Hardy timed in a bird at 8:58 a.m. and took position 13. Excellent per- formances, considering the fmal tally sheet listed 44 positions. On that same windy day, a "regular" Lucan Club race was flown from Cornwall, Ont. Five mem- bers shipped 73 pigeons. These birds were released at 9:15 a.m. Exeter's Al de Haan clocked the winning pigeon at 6:47 p.m. that same day. Jim Whitworth placed second and fifth. And then there is Norman Hardy! Because of electronic timing, he clocked some pigeons as closely as 0.1 second apart. His posi- tions: 3,4,6,11-18!! Norm, we know you have good birds, but isn't this a little much? Brian Cunningham's birds checked into a motel; they showed up the next morning after breakfast. Smart birds. (article sub- mitted) OFFICE CLOSURE H.E.L.P. The Huron Employment Liason Program 60 Mary Street, Clinton Service to the public at the Clinton H.E.L.P./H.E.R.C. site will cease on July 21, 2004. All past and present clients are encouraged to come into the office and have their resumes and cover letters copied to their own disc by Friday, July 16, 2004. For continued service please visit your nearest H.E.R.C. location Exeter H.E.R.C. Goderich H.E.R.C. 281 Main Street S 52 East Street Exeter, ON Goderich, ON 519-235-0471 519-524-8342 Seaforth H.E.R.C. 130 Main Street Seaforth, ON 519-527-0305 Wingham H.E.R.C. 108 Scott Street Wingham, ON 519-357-4995 The H.E.L.P. Staff and Board of Directors wish to take this opportunity to thank you for the years of loyalty to the "heart" of H.E.L.P.