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The Citizen, 1998-09-09, Page 8With a swish An Ethel PeeWee girl takes a strong stroke at the ball pitched by Belgrave's Jenni Skinn, but was unable to make contact in the second contest in the best-of-three series. Ethel took the Aug. 31 game 16-15 to even the series. Belgrave, Ethel PeeWees tie series On the mat Crystal Semple of RR1, Ethel, turned her enthu- siasm for wrestling into gold at an American competition. By Janice Becker Citizen staff Championship style and a win- ning way all began after simply watching a demonstration. After wrestling at a Brock Uni- versity tournament, Crystal Semple, of RR 1, Ethel, a Grade 12 student at F. E. Madill Sec- ondary School in Wingham, and team- mate Jessica Lock- ridge, were asked to join the London Amateur Wrestling and Athletics Club. They learned from a London university team and others who had competed in the Olympics. It was through that connection to the London Club that Crystal, along with seven other club members, travelled to the Ohio State Fair in early August. In an extraordinari- ly short match, Crys- tal pinned her opponent in 20 sec onds to take the gold class. Unlike their counterparts south of the border, Canadian female wrestlers only challenge other females, though Crystal says she wouldn't mind wrestling against the boys. She adds though, that "girls are more interesting to watch because of their flexibility and ability to do different moves." "(In Canada) we stress more learning moves and strategy," she says, unlike the Americans who go for strength. Though female wrestling is not hugely popular, Crystal says interest is growing. There was even a young lady recruited by a high school in Quebec to move to the province to finish her secondary education and, of course, wrestle. Crystal's successful foray into wrestling began last year. She had observed a demonstration when she first entered Madill, in 1995, but did not participate. Crys- tal says, "It looked like fun, a lot of The Walton Squirt Girls are Tri- County B champs after defeating Brussels 15-7, Sept. 3. Playing at home, Walton shut down the visitors in the first inning, then scored four of their own. Sarah McDonald doubled to get on board, then was knocked home by a Krista Shortreed single. After steal- ing second and third she scored on a Michelle Cook single. When Mandy Mitchell was at the plate, the catcher dropped the ball on the third strike allowing her to reach first. She later scored the fourth run. It was turnabout fair play in the second as Brussels rallied for four then shutdown their hosts. A two run third for Brussels gave them the lead, but Walton respond- ed with four to jump ahead. Short- reed and Mitchell singled and scored, while Cook walked and scored and Jen McClure homered. fun." After spending Grade 10 abroad, she decided to give it a try upon returning home. Uninvolved in school sports prior to wrestling, Crystal says she likes it because it is an individual activity. "It is all up to you," she says. "Your devotion shows when you wrestle. I have a tendency to want to do the best and be the best." She does admit it took her parents, Calvin and Gail, some time to get used to the idea of her wrestling. "Some girls are just made for more physi- cal sports," she says. Madill's program, the only one in Huron Perth, now has approximately 60 wrestlers, says Crys- tal, with 15 to 18 females. However, most are the beginner level. Crystal practises three times a week after school then trav- els to London, among other locations, for weekly tournaments. She also works out with the London club as much as possible. Crystal and Jessica are not restricting their involvement to par- ticipation. They will soon be coach- ing a team consisting of Grade 6-8 students. She believes by offering them the opportunity to gain experience now it will help the sport grow when they reach high school. The location for the classes is expected to be at F. E. Madill Sec- ondary School until the North Huron Recreation Complex is com- pleted. Crystal says she hopes to take her students to the Brock tournament at the end of the season. As tor her long term lans, Crystal hopes to continue wrestling, possi- bly with an eye on a scholarship. "(Universities) are really looking for female wrestlers." Crystal will be completing next March in the Canadian National Championships to be held in this province. Stranded when the inning ended Jessica Lubbers who had singled and Melissa Beuermann, who stroked a double to get on board. The fourth inning was huge for Walton, as they allowed just one Brussels player to cross home plate, then tagged on seven to their own score. Cook homered, while Lub- bers slammed a triple. Shorteed got on with a walk. Singles went to Gibbons, McDonald, Mitchell, McClure and Beuermann. Gibbons was thrown out at second. After closing the door on Brus- sels in the fifth, Walton didn't need their at-bat for the win. Cook went the distance on the mound for Walton. The girls acknowledge the "fan- tastic" coaching of Jim and Linda McDonald, saying their time, patience and talent were very much appreciated. Steve Cook was an able assistant. It came down to the wire for the Belgrave PeeWee Girls when they tried to sweep Ethel in their best- two-of-three playoff series, Aug. 31. Ethel stepped to the plate first, pushing four home off pitcher Jenni Skinn. Summer isn't quite over but the time has come to think about skating. The Blyth Skating Club is excited to announce the New Canskate program to previous members as well as new skaters. The Blyth Skating Club belongs to the Canadian Figure Skating Association (CFSA) and it is through this affiliation that the new program is being implemented. One of the main objectives is to, keep the skaters moving at all times on the ice while participating in on- ice skills, drills and games. More incentives will be given to the skaters upon completion of certain elements. The skaters will progress more quickly thiough the various stages of the program which should keep the skaters' interest level higher. Skaters who have belonged to the Club previously will start at the stage level equivalent to the badge that they would have been working on within the previous program. The CFSA has changed the structure of the skating program in response to members and coaches feedback that skaters need to progress through the program at-a quicker rate and that the program needs to be delivered in a fun, easy to deliver and easy to understand manner. The Blyth Skating Club is looking for interested boys and girls to participate in this new improved program under the direction of professional coaches. Although the program itself has changed, it is important to note that the time schedule has not changed. Blyth's various programs will run on Fridays this season once again. Along with the new Canskatc program, the Blyth Skating Cltib is also offering the Can-Power skating program. As in previous years, this program is geared to skaters (boys and girls) who already have basic forward and backward skating skills and know how to stop. The program emphasizes fun, participation, challenge and achievement while developing better balance, power, With their at-bat, hometown Bel- grave inched ahead with five runs. Trading runs in the second, Ethel batted for five in the third to go up 10-6. Belgrave fell short on their attack, scoring only three. After allowing their opponent to tally six in the fourth, Belgrave agility, speed and endurance. Skaters who participate in hockey and ringette could greatly benefit from this program although it is not prerequisite. Equipment Continued on page 9 managed only an equal number to remain one run behind. Lisa Black pitched the third and fourth. JUNIOR HOCKEY FREE ADMISSION Compliments Hensel! District Co-op Exeter Hawks vs. Brussels Bulls at Seaforth Friday, Sept. 11 — 7:30 p.m. PACE 8. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1998. sports Wrestler gets the gold in her weight Walton Squirts win B championship Time to think skating EN Take extra care when working WATCH POWER WORKING UNDER OUT L N ES near overhead power lines. Never allow yourself or the equipment to come close to or contact the lines. Anyone touching that equipment will , be seriously injured. Or killed. And step- ' ' "ce\i;" A\ 1 e „ 6 -40,..,,, .... i W/4 .,:,.-.---A- - \ \ 4, OM \ , -.-_, ,--- •,,,, •, -0'w•Lio!!S%r"--- • . , — _MC ping out of a ._ if is - vehicle that lr - .. , .. touching the lines could be , ILL IIIIIIIIIIIIII0 fatal. 0 Ontario . , ' Hydro