Tag: Champs

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Lakehead squad gives reigning champs a scare at provincial event

Lakehead squad gives reigning champs a scare at provincial event

Thunderwolves varsity women’s soccer team reaches final four for first time in school’s history

NEWS RELEASE

LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY

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Thursday, March 31 was a historic day for the Lakehead University Orillia campus varsity women’s indoor soccer team.

For the first time in the program’s history, and after a season full of adaptation and unexpected challenges brought on by the pandemic, the Lakehead Orillia Thunderwolves secured a final-four finish in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Provincial Championships – a feat that some of the most sought-after programs in the province were unable to achieve.

Advancing to the final four alongside the Thunderwolves were the Humber Hawks, Seneca Sting and St. Clair Saints. The Thunderwolves were certainly up against some tough competition, but represented themselves as tough competitors. Their grit and determination, matched with a deep roster of exemplary skill, established their position in the provincial standings.

In their semifinal match the Thunderwolves were paired up against the highly favoured Humber Hawks – having won the provincial title the last three consecutive seasons. The women showed up ready to play and delivered a performance that astounded the Hawks and their fans.

The Thunderwolves united in what could possibly be the most impressive showing of the tournament, holding the Hawks off for the entire first half of the match. Threatening the reigning champions’ chances at advancing to the finals, the Lakehead Orillia women kept pressure on their opponents and gave their all to the game.

With a couple of strong shots for the Hawks in the second half, Humber pulled ahead and took the lead. Unfortunately, one of Lakehead Orillia’s top scorers this season, Brelyn Bannister, suffered a heel injury in the late stages of the game that left her sidelined for the remainder of the tournament. The Thunderwolves kept strong pressure on the Hawks through the second half, but ultimately fell 2-0 to Humber.

The bronze-medal game would be played against the St. Clair Saints, the same team the Thunderwolves met in their final game of day one.

Feeling positive about their strong showing against Humber, the Thunderwolves took to the pitch in what would be their concluding game of the season, eager at a chance to defeat their rivals and take the bronze. Strong scoring attempts were made by players Tanya Wroblewski and Grace Heywood; however, St. Clair’s defence did not let up to surrender a goal.

Capping off her rookie season, goalkeeper Mikaela Pludra continued to make huge saves that impressed players and spectators alike. Although the Saints managed to find the back of the net on one occasion, the Thunderwolves made sure that remained the lone goal through the match. Though they fought hard to the last second, the women were unable to answer the Saints’ goal and the final score of the match remained 1-0 in favour of St. Clair.

Despite not being able to defeat the Saints this season, the women improved their game with each showing. From 3-0 in Ancaster, to 2-0 on Day 1, and finally 1-0 in the bronze-medal game, the potential of the team continues to grow with each game they play.

While they just narrowly missed a medal position, the team left the Ontario Soccer Centre with all eyes on them as the underdogs that seemingly came out of nowhere to threaten an OCAA provincial medal.

Ranked fourth in the province, the Thunderwolves have officially wrapped up their 2021-22 season. Lakehead Orillia Athletics would like to congratulate the entire women’s indoor soccer team, including the coaching and support team of Marco Moras, Silvo Meridiani, Ian Beattie and Ashley McLetchie, on an incredible and historic season.

For full tournament results and standings can be found at https://ocaachampionships.com/championships/isoc/2021-22/index.

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IU Recruit Toby Barnett Wins Pair of Events with PBs on Saturday of PVS Champs

IU Recruit Toby Barnett Wins Pair of Events with PBs on Saturday of PVS Champs

2022 POTOMAC VALLEY SWIMMING SENIOR CHAMPS

  • March 3-6, 2022
  • Eppley Recreation Center, University of Maryland
  • Short Course Yards (25 yards), Prelims/Finals
  • Psych Sheets
  • Live Stream
  • Results on Meet Mobile: “2022 PV SC Senior Championships”

On Saturday, the seniors competed in the 200 breast, 50 free, 100 back, 500 free, and 400 medley relay.

One of the top performers of the day was Toby Barnett, a 17-year-old out of Rockford-Montgomery Swim Club, who won both the men’s 100 back and 500 free. In the 100 back, Barnett swam a 49.03, marking a new personal best by nearly a full second. Barnett, an Indiana recruit, downed a 3-month-old personal best with the swim.

He would then go on to take the men’s 500 free in 4:26.42, finishing first by 11 seconds. That swim also marks a personal best by 2 seconds.

Camille Spink (NCAP) won the women’s 500 free in 4:47.16, winning the event by nearly 11 seconds. Coming into the meet, Spink had a personal best of 4:49.51 in the 500, which she cracked in prelims with a 4:47.66, then lowered it again in finals. Primarily a 50-100-200 freestyler, Spink used her speed in the race, taking the first 100 out in 52.99.

Mason Makos 17-year-old Katherine Helms took the women’s 100 back in a decisive victory, swimming a 54.31. The swim marked Helms’ first time under 55 seconds in the event. Helms is an NC State recruit, set to start this fall.

Nation’s Capital 17-year-old Eleanor Sun won the women’s in a new personal best of 2:14.75. The swim chipped nearly a full second off the Princeton recruit’s previous best, which she had set in October of 2021. It was FISH’s Aiken Do who won the men’s 200 breast, nearly breaking 2:00 for the first time. Do, a Virginia Tech recruit, swam a 2:00.46, clipping his previous best of 2:00.80, which is from 2020.

Other Saturday Event Winners:

  • Men’s 50 Free – Christopher Stankiewicz (TANK) – 20.79
  • Women’s 50 Free – Lauren West (ASA) – 23.43
  • Women’s 400 medley relay – Jeffco Hurricanes – 4:03.81
  • Men’s 400 medley relay – Jeffco Hurricanes – 3:32.55

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2022 Women’s MAC Champs: Akron Sweeps Day 4 Events to Reclaim MAC Crown

2022 Women’s MAC Champs: Akron Sweeps Day 4 Events to Reclaim MAC Crown

2022 MAC WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

Team Scores
1. Akron – 896.5
2. Buffalo – 619.5
3. Miami – 429.5
4. Ohio – 367.5
5. Eastern Michigan – 354
6. Bowling Green – 339
7. Ball State – 243.5
8. Toledo – 233.5

The Akron Zips are officially back on top in the MAC, posting a decisive team victory at this year’s championships. Akron takes the title back from Buffalo, and has now won the MAC title 8 of the last 9 years.

The Zips had all but guaranteed victory heading into the final session of the meet, but they would go on to sweep Saturday night’s swimming events for good measure.

Things started in the 1650 free, where junior Gail Workman got into a tough battle with BGSU’s Kellie House and Toledo’s Jovana Duric. Workman would get her hand on the wall first by two seconds, however, swimming a 16:42.05.

We then moved into the 200 back, where Akron junior Weronika Gorecka pulled off an upset, beating 100 back champion Daisy Platts (BGSU). Platts used her superior speed, getting out to a 55.00 on the first 100, ahead of Gorecka (55.59). Gorecka was able to hold on to the pace better, and took over the lead on the 3rd 50, then grew it further through the final lap. She touched in 1:53.89, not far off the meet record of 1:53.12. Platts was 2nd with a 1:55.17.

The next race saw two of the top swimmers of the race, Akron’s Sarah Watson and Miami (OH)’s Nicole Maier, go head-to-head. In the 100 free, Watson was able able to get the better of Maier in a down-to-the-wire finish, clocking a 48.70 to Maier’s 48.71. The pair essentially swam stroke-for-stroke the whole way, making this one of the most exciting races of the meet.

Akron had an enormous team performance in the 200 breast, taking the top 4 spots. Senior Andrea Fischer led the way, swimming a 2:10.68, with Paula Garcia touching 2nd in 2:11.59. Madeline Dyer came in 3rd, swimming a 2:12.29, while Sara Bozso touched 4th with a 2:14.46. Buffalo’s Katie Pollock, the 100 breast champion from Friday, took 5th with a 2:15.09.

Individual racing concluded with the 200 fly, where Akron’s Paulina Nogaj, another top swimmer of the meet, emerged victorious in a time of 1:58.24. Nogaj led the race from the start, and managed to hold the lead through the finish.

In the final event of the meet, the 400 free relay, Nogaj led her team off with a 48.97, a time which would have been good for 3rd in the individual 100 free. Rachel Schiffli swam 2nd, splitting 49.26, then Abby Daniel went 3rd with a 49.28. Sofia Hennell anchored the team in 49.03, getting Akron into the finish for a 3:16.54. Notably, 100 free champion Sarah Watson wasn’t on the 400 free relay, as she had already competed on the other 4 relays this weekend.

Buffalo’s Tori Franz picked off another diving event, winning 3-meter with a score of 322.95.