Jadyn Luna stands atop the podium, winning the U20 women's pentathlon at the Ontario Indoor Combined Events championships, January 29 in Toronto. (photo / courtesy Jadyn Luna)

Sunday, January 29, 2023
TORONTO, Ont. - Jadyn Luna is a provincial champion.
Luna won the U20 women's pentathlon at the Ontario Indoor Combined events championship, Sunday, at the Toronto track and field Centre, January 29.
The Thorndale resident, who trains with London-Western Club, amassed a personal best (PB) score of 2,800 points, in the five discipline event.
Pole valters Libby McCurdy and Matt Piekny, brought home silver medals, from the Ontario Prep indoor meet, at the Toronto track and field Centre, Jan. 28.

Sunday, January 29, 2023
ST. THOMAS - For a second consecutive night, the St. Thomas Stars lost in extra time.
Kaeden Johnston scored 51 seconds into overtime, lifting the Komoka Kings to a 4-3 win over the Stars, Saturday at Komoka.
That comes 24 hours after the Stars fell to the LaSalle Vipers, 2-1, in a shootout, at the Joe.
The Stars have lost six games in OT or a shootout this season, three this month.
St. Thomas led Komoka, 3-1, after two periods, before the Kings struck twice in the third.
Spencer Vandenberg, Brenden Cattrysse and Harrison Franssen, scored for the Stars. Defenceman Tristan Gerth picked up two assists.
Jackson Dobbin had the Stars' lone goal versus LaSalle.
The Stars finish the month of January with a 5-1-2-1 record and are 10-3-2-1 since December 1.
Entering February, St. Thomas is tied sixth (17-17-4-2) with Chatham, at 40 points each, two points back of fifth place Strathroy, in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Western Conference.
Will Nicholl has a team high 38 assists and 53 points, while Mike Levin leads the Stars with 32 goals.
Spencer Vandenberg, from Dorchester, is third in team scoring, reaching 30 points, on nine goals and 21 assists.
Gerth and Cole Jenken, leads the blueliners with 22 points each.

BAD Blazers Ella Lednicky, far right, battles in front of the Stratford Aces' net during the U18A final Sunday at the East Elgin Community Centre. The Blazers won 3-2. (photo / Rob J. Ross )

Tuesday, January 24, 2023
AYLMER, Ont. - It was fitting for the U18A Blazers to close the Belmont Aylmer Dorchester (BAD) Girls annual hockey tournament with a victory.
The U18A Blazers led the host club, winning gold, with a 3-2 win over Stratford, in the final game of the three day tournament.
Christine Annett, Paige Poland and Reece Laidlaw, with the game winner, scored for the Blazers.
Both the Blazers senior B and U11HL teams took silver, while the U13C team finished fifth, with a 2-2 record.
Over 70 teams from as far away as Kincardine, Burlington and Barrie, competed in 12 divisions, U11 to senior, over three days at rinks in Dorchester, Belmont and Aylmer.
St. Thomas Panthers won the U11 house league title and took home silver in the U15HL, U11BB and U11C divisions.

Elgin Imperials, Open C champions, at the London Blizzard sledge hockey Invitational held over the weeknd at Western Fair Sports Centre. Elgin went 6-0. (photo / courtesy Elgin Imperials )

Monday, January 23, 2023
LONDON, Ont. - Travis Topping scored 11 goals and goalie John Stevenson posted a .067 goals-against average, as the Elgin Imperials completed a 6-0 run, to win the Open C division, at the Blizzard Invitational sledge hockey tournament Sunday at Western Fair Sports Centre.
Topping, Wesley Shaw and Ryan Whittle, with the game winner, scored in a 3-1 victory over provincial rival Woolwich, in the final.
It is the first time the Imperials have won gold.

Friday, January 20, 2023
ST. THOMAS - Eve Buczkowski, of St. Thomas, won the B women tempo five-km race and elimination race and took home silver in the B women points race and scratch final, a 20-kilometer race, at Ontario Cycling's track series event two, at the Mattamy National cycling centre, Jan. 15 in Milton.
Buczkowski, a Grade nine student at Central Elgin C.I., who races with Attack Academy based out of London, also took gold in the B women 500-metre time trial final.
Attack teammate Brody Mann, also from St. Thomas, won bronze in the B men points race, finished fourth, in the B men temp 7.5-km race and was fifth, in the both B men scratch 7.5-km race final and elimination race.

EnergIce's juvenile team skate to Riverdance, during the EnergIce Gala, Saturday at the East Elgin Community Centre in Aylmer. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Tuesday, January 17, 2023
AYLMER, Ont. - Eight teams and four soloists many for the first time, performed at the EnergIce Synchronized Skating Gala.
Hosted by the St. Thomas Skating Cklub, 91 skaters from age four to 59, displayed their skills for a full house, Saturday at the East Elgin Community Centre.
Energice featured their Beginner, Star 3, Star 4, Juvenile, Adult 3, Adult 3 Edge and Adult 2 teams.
Madison Wright, Sadie Cummings, Emilee Aspden and Sutton Beattie, a day before her fifth birthday, made their debut solo skates.
The Dorchester Star 3 Dragonflies made a guest appearance.

Friday, January 13, 2023
ST. THOMAS - The St. Thomas Stars have returned to the 500 mark.
Mike Levin broke a 2-2 tie scoring on the power play, mid third period, with his team leading 29th goal of the season, as the Stars went on to defeat Sarnia, 5-2, at the Joe Sunday.
William Nichol picked up his team high 33rd assist on the goal.
The Stare led 2-0 on goals by Tyler Alexander and Callum Snedden, before Sarnia scored twice in a four minute span mid second period.
Andrew Seminara and Nick Houben, completed the Stars' scoring.
The Stars are back at the 500 mark, for the first time since early October, in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Western Conference.
An 8-1-1 run over their past 10 games, moves St. Thomas into a share of sixth place with the Chatham Maroons, both with 36 points, two behind Strathroy.
Nicholl leads the Stars with 47 points, followed by Levin, at 42 points, Spencer Vandenberg, 27 points, and defenceman Cole Jenken, 22 points.

Shelby Laidlaw holds the championship trophy, celebrating with her Canadian teammates an U18 women's world hockey championship, in Ostersund, Sweden.

Sunday, January 15, 2023
OSTERSUND, Sweden - Shelby Laidlaw is a world champion.
Laidlaw, who lives 10 minutes south of Aylmer, in Malahide township, won a gold medal with Canada, at the 2023 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 women's world championship, this afternoon.
Canada routed Sweden, 10-0, in the gold medal game, completing an undefeated run at the week long tournament and repeating as world champions.
Caitlin Kraemer led the way with four goals. Alexia Aubin, with two goals, Abby Lunney, Piper Grober, Mackenzie Alexander and Charlotte Pieckenhagen also scored for Canada.
Hannah Clark had a 21-save shutout for Canada, which repeated for the first time in nine years.
Laidlaw didn't register any points, but picked up a two minute penalty for roughing.

Friday, January 13, 2023
ST. THOMAS - The St Thomas Stars continue to ride a hot streak.
The Stars move to a game of the .500 mark, defeating the Komoka Kings, 8-1, tonight at the Joe.
Mike Levin scored twice, Will Nicholl had a goal and four assists and Tyler Alexander, three assists.
The Stars are 8-1-1 over their past 10 games and only three losses since Decemeber 1.
Their recent winning ways have brought the Stars closer to the top six teams, in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Western Conference.
St, Thomas is just two points behind Chatham and four back of Strathroy, with a 11 point cushion over eighth place Sarnia.
Levin leads the Stars with 28 goals, while Nicholl has a team best 32 assists and 47 points.
Spencer Vandenberg, from Dorchester, has 26 points, third in team scoring.

Emma Beggs, a grade 12 student at East Elgin Secondary school, will be attending Edinboro University, the home of the Fighting Scots, in the State of Pennsylvania, studying Exercise Science and swimming, starting this fall. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Tuesday, January 3, 2023
AYLMER, Ont. - Emma Beggs has chosen the pool to be swimming in for the next four years.
The Grade 12 student at East Elgin Secondary school, in Aylmer, has commited to attend PennWest Edinboro University, in Edinboro, Pennsylvania.
Beggs will be studying Exercise Science and continuing her competitive swimming career, with the Fighting Scots, NCAA Division II school, in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).

Wednesday, December 28, 2022
MALAHIDE, Ont. - Christmas came early for Shelby Laidlaw.
The 17-year old has been named to Team Canada for the 2023 U18 women's world hockey championship, January 8-15, in Sweden.
Team Canada contacted Laidlaw earlier this month, informing the Grade 12 student at East Elgin Secondary school, of her addition to the roster.
A member of the London Devilettes' junior team for three seasons, Laidlaw will join Devilette teammates Emmalee Pais and Jocelyn Amos, two returning Team Canada players.
Laidlaw, with dad Travis, mom Jody and sister, Reece, live south of Aylmer, in Malahide township.

Dorchester Dolphins' goalie Connor Nelles stops Exeter Hawks Jack Robinson, during Provnicial Junior Hockey League action at the Flight Exec Center, December 16. Exeter won 4-1. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Tuesday, December 20, 2022
DORCHESTER, Ont. - All the Dorchester Dolphins want for Christmas is a healthy lineup.
Following a fourth loss in six outings, to the Mt. Brydges Bulldogs, 5-1, Sunday, the Dolphins have slipped to sixth place in the Yeck Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League.
Heading into the Christmas break, the Dolphins are below .500, at 11-12-1-1, with 24 points, nine out of fourth place, and 14 points back of first place Thamesford.

Sunday, December 18, 2022
THAMESFORD, Ont. - The Port Stanley Sailors have surfaced above the water.
For the first time this season, the Sailors are sitting above the .500 mark, in the Provincial Junior Hockey League.
Aiden Shaw scored three minutes and 24 seconds in to overtime, lifting the Sailors to a 6-5 win over first place Thamesford Trojans.
The 10th win of the season moves the Sailors in to fifth place, in the Yeck Division, with 24 points.
Thamesford led 3-0 barely 11 minutes in to the first period, but the Sailors initiated their rally 16 seconds later.
Aiden Holder, Liam Kidder and Kam Korab, had the game tied by the 14 minute mark. The Trojans did take a 4-3 lead into the intermission.
Dylan Watson, with his 13th goal of the season and Trent Clinton, put the Sailors up 5-4.
Kalob Morgado, Will Lewis, Matt Pimentel, Alex MacLeod and Matson Micallef, scored for Thamesford.
Sailors' goalie Will Richardson made 53 saves.
Watson leads the Sailors with 13 goals and 22 points. Rickwood has a team best 11 assists. Shaw has nine goals and nine assists.

St. Thomas Energice coach Wendy Coombs instructs her juvenile skaters during a synchronized skating practice at the Joe. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Thursday, December 15, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Energice is back on the frozen pond skating to be in synch.
The St. Thomas Skating Club's synchronized skating program, has grown from one adult team a dozen years ago, to seven teams with over 80 skaters this season.
New this year with Energice, are Adult 3 Edge, Star 3 and Star 4, joining Beginner, Juvenile and Adult 2.

Wednesday, December 7, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Tristan Coles is heading to the land down under.
The 18-year old from St. Thomas has qualified for the 2023 World Athletics U20 cross country championships, in Bathurst, Australia, this coming February.
Coles qualified at the Canadian cross country championships, held in Ottawa in November, finishing 11th overall, but top six among runners born in 2004.
During the summer track season, Coles won the U20 men's 5000 metres, at the Canadian championships.
Coles, a graduate of St. Joe's high school this past June, is in his freshman year at Iona University, in New York State.

Dorchester Dolphins Lukas Geske battles in front of the Aylmer Spitfires net, with goalie Natan Farhi, defenceman Cole Hardie (4) and Graydon Graat, during PJHL action, Saturday at the Flight Exec Centre. The Dolphins won 4-2. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, December 4, 2022
DORCHESTER, Ont - The Dorchester Dolphins remain hovering over the .500 mark.
The Dolphins split a pair of home games this weekend, losing to the North Middlesex Stars, 4-3, Friday, before doubling up on the Aylmer Spitfires, 4-2, Saturday, in the Provincial Junior Hockey League.
Dorchester remains in fifth place in the Yeck Division, with a 10-9-1-1 record. Aylmer sits in the basement, winners of just two games in 22 outings.
Nicholas Shearer, with his 11th goal of the season, Dylan Bradburn, Josh Short and Austin Connors, scored against Aylmer, on Warm and Wooly Toss nighht. Defenceman Jordan Daer picked up three assists.
Noah Sabourin and Landen Den replied for the Spitfires.
Against North Middlesex, Short, Paterson MacNair, with his 11th goal of the campaign and Eugene Spanier, had the Dolphins leading 3-2 late in the third period.
Two power play goals in the final four and half minutes lifted the Stars to victory.

Owen Dale, of the Parkside Stampeders flips Liam Wilson, of the Medway Cowboys, on his head, during a male 64-kilogram match, at the Parkside Wrestling tournament, today at Parkside CI. Dale won gold for his weight class. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Saturday, December 3, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Wrestlers from 16 schools were back on the mats at the Parkside Wrestling tournament,today at the high school.
For many athletes it was their first matches since 2019, after the COVID pandemic wiped out much of the past two seasons.
The host school had seven individual division champions, led senior Julie Boyko and the Dale brothers, Tyler and Owen.
St. Joe's had Helen King, Diago Silva and Alex DiCristofero, win gold.
Clark Jackson and Bryson Ferguson were division champs for the Central Elgin Titans.
Fisher Ward led a team of five East Elgin Eagles, taking home silver.

Friday, December 2, 2022
ST. THOMAS - There needs to take a peak at the record books.
Micheal Levin scores five goals, carrying the St. Thomas Stars to a 6-2 win against Komoka Kings, in Greater Ontario Junior hockey (GOJHL) action, Friday at the Joe.
The 17-year old, a 2021 OHL draft pick of the London Knights, now has 17 goals for the season.
William Nichol netted his team leading 21st goal, along with three assists.
Cole Jenken, Spencer Vandenberg and Tristan Gerth, each picked up a pair of apples.
Nichol leads the Stars in scoring, with 33 points, while Levin has 25 points and Vandenberg, 17.
The Stars have 7-13-2-1 record, eighth in the GOJHL Western Conference.

St. Thomas Panthers Megan Landon leads the rush against the Tillsonburg Lightning during an U13C semifinal at the Panthers on the Prowl tournament, Sunday, at the Joe. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Monday, November 28, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Over 40 teams in eight divisions on three ice pads, were shooting pucks during the Panthers on the Prowl tournament, for three days over the weekend.
The host club made two finals, winning U11BB gold, defeating Haldimand Rivercats, 2-1 and losing the U13C final, to the Kitchener Rangers, 3-1.
Tillsonburg Lightning edged St. Thomas in the U18C semifinals, 2-1, before defeating Ilderton Jets, 3-1, in the final.

East Elgin Eagles Brooke Preszacator (15) reaches for the ball against the Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs, during OFSAA AA girls basketball quarterfinals, Friday at St. Mike's secondary school, in Stratford. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Saturday, November 25, 2022
STRATFORD, Ont. - The East Elgin Eagles run at OFSAA AA girls basketball ended in the quarterfinals.
Top seeded Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs defeated the Eagles, 76-27, Friday, at St. Mike's secondary school.
The Bulldogs dropped 12 three-pointers on the Eagles, led by top scorers, Brookelyn Keltas and Yemi Oladipo, who scored 20 and 18 points, respectively.
Jaimie Staulbaum had eight points for the Eagles, while Brooke Preszcator and seven.
Sir Winston Churchill dominated the 18-team tournament, going 5-0 to win the gold medal, defeating two-seeded Centennial secondary school, from Belleville, 46-34, in the final.

East Elgin Eagles Ellery Beilhartz (3) up against Shelis Rowe-Bunchan, of James Cardinal MCHS, during OFSAA AA girls basketball, today at St. Mike's secondary school, in Stratford. The Eagles won 62-33. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Thursday, November 24, 2022
STRATFORD, Ont. - The East Elgin Eagles were ready for OFSAA.
Led by a balanced offensive attack, the Eagles won their opening game at AA girls basketball championships today, defeating James Cardinal high school, from North York, 62-33.
The Eagles jumped out to a 13-6 lead and led 34-17 at recess.
Jaime Stahlbaum led with 16 points, Ainsley Preszcator had 13, Holly Van Gorp, eight and seven point for both Beilhartz and Brooke Preszcator.
East Elgin meets Our Lady of Lourdes, from Waterloo, Friday, at 9 a.m.

Sunday, November 20, 2022
STRATHROY, Ont. - Logan Van Den Akker has his first two goals of the season.
The defenceman scored twice as the St. Thomas Stars defeated the Strathroy Rockets, 8-1, in Greater Ontario Junior hockey (GOJHL) action, on the road, Saturday.
The win ends a three game losing skid, improving the Stars' record to 7-13-2-1, eighth in the GOJHL Western Conference. The Stars are 2-4 in the month of November.
Van Den Akker opened the scoring just under four minutes in to the game and netted the Stars' eighth goal.
Micheal Levin had a goal and two assist, while Spencer Vanderberg, of Dorchester, and Cole Jenken, each had a goal and an assist.
Brenden Cattrysse, Jackson Dobbin and Will Nichol, completed the St. Thomas goal scoring. Holden Clark had two assists.
At the Joe Friday, the Stars led the London Nationals, 4-2, early third period, after a goal from Tyler Alexander.
However, London scored four times in final 11 minutes, twice on the power play, to leave with a 6-4 win.
Levin, Vandenberg and Dobbin scored for the home side. Nichol picked up three apples.
Bradyn Santavy led the Nationals, with two goals and an assist.

East Elgin Eagles Lily Allen drives towards the hoop against London John Paul II Jaguars, during WOSSAA AA senior girls basketball action, at St. Mike's secondary school, in Stratford. The Eagles won 55-29, advancing to the WOSSAA final and qualifying for OFSAA. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Wednesday, November 16, 2022
STRATFORD, Ont. - Jaimie Stahlbaum has been waiting for this moment since Grade nine.
The East Elgin Eagles' co-captain and all-star scored 16 points, in a 55-29 defeat of the London John Paul II Jaguars, at WOSSAA AA senior girls basketball, Wednesday, at St. Mike's secondary school.
East Elgin advances to the final against the St. Mike's Warriors, scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, and qualifies for OFSAA, here, November 24-26.
A two point game after one quarter and 28-19 at half-time, the Eagles took command in the third quarter, with a 17-3 run.
Ainsley Preszcator had 12 points for the Eagle and Ellery Beilhartz, who missed the entire second half, due to injury, had nine points.
East Elgin returns to OFSAA girls basketball, for the first time since 2008, when current assistant coaches Katie Knight and Maggie Doan were on the court.

St. Joseph's Rams Haily Titchner, holding the championship plaque, smiles at Emily Chapman (24), while celebrating a WOSSAA AA junior girls basketball championship, at St. Mike's secondary school, in Stratford. The Rams beat Woodstock College Avenue Knights, 42-21. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Wednesday, November 16, 2022
STRATFORD, Ont. - The St. Joseph's Rams finish the junior girls basketball season as champions.
Led by offensive and defensive contributions, the Rams defeated Woodstock College Avenue Knights, 42-21, in the WOSSAA AA gold medal game, at St. Mike's high school.
Promise Atkinson had 12 points for the Rams, while Rylee Wilkinson chipped in with eight points and Emily Chapman and Hailey Titchner, both had six.
Earlier in the day, the Rams disappointed the home team's fans, downing host St. Mike's Warriors, 59-27.

East Elgin Eagles Landon Upton busts through a pair of Ingersoll Bombers, during the TVRA B division junior football final, November 10, at 1Password Park. The Eagles won 42-7. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Thursday, November 10, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Last season's final was still on the minds of the East Elgin Eagles.
This time around however, the Eagles aimed for a different outcome.
Landon Upton found the end zone three times, as the Eagles dismantled the Ingersoll Blue Blombers, 42-7, in the Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) junior football B division final, November 10, at 1Password Park.
The Eagles scored a pair of touchdowns in the opening five minutes and led 23-7, at half-time.
Gavin Russell and Joey Kasza-Smith, had a TD each. Kasza-Smith kicked a field goal, all the point after touchdowns (PATs) and a rouge.

East Elgin Eagles, Thames Valley Regional Athletics South-East AA senior girls basketball champions. The Eagles complete the TVRA season undefeated at 9-0 and advance to the WOSSAA tournment. (photo / courtesy Kathleen Knight)

Thursday, November 10, 2022
AYLMER, Ont. - The East Elgin Eagles completed their domination of the South-East division.
Jaimie Stahlbaum led with a game high 17 points and Holly Van Gorp had nine points, as the Eagles defeated Woodstock College Avenue Knights, 53-24, in the Thames Valley Regional Athletics AA senior girls basketball final, at East Elgin secondary school.
The Eagles went 7-0 throughout the South-East regular season and defeated Central Elgin, in the semifinals.
Up next is the Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WOSSAA) tournament, at St. Mike's high school, in Stratford, Wednesday, November 16.
St. Mike's is also the host for the OFSAA AA championship, November 24-26.

St. Thomas Hawks Quinton Herbert (55) and Brody Penhale (88) close in on Bulldogs Ethan Martin (21), during the London Minor Football U12 final, Sunday, at City Wide Sports Fields. The Bulldogs won 25-13. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, November 6, 2022
LONDON, Ont - The Bulldogs showed their bite in the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs scored three touchdowns in the final quarter, to defeat the St. Thomas Hawks, 25-13, in the London Minor Football Association U12 final, at City Wide Sports Fields.
St. Thomas led 7-6, at half-time and held the lead into the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs took a 12-7 lead, before a strip sack, turned into a TD, extending their advantage to 18-7.
It was 25-7, before the Hawks scored a late TD.

Tegan Ceccanese (2506), of Lord Dorchester secondary school, during the senior girls race, at the OFSAA cross country championships, Saturday, at Dagmar Ski Resort. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Saturday, November 5, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Kirk Hallman is a top 10 runner in the province.
Hallman finished ninth, in the novice boys race, at the OFSAA cross country championships, Saturday, at Dagmar Ski Resort, south of Uxbridge.
The Lord Dorchester secondary school (LDSS) runner was one of several strong performances from local athletes along the ski hill trails.
Ryan Johnson, of LDSS, placed 28th, in a junior boys race, with 245 runners
Dorchester's Tegan Ceccanese was 34th, for senior women, featuring 240 runners.
The St. Joseph's Rams novice girls team was fourth, out of 37 teams, led by Alex Fangeant and Abi Faris, who finished 53rd and 55th respectively.
St. Joe's Mohanad Kuhail, finished fourth overall in the para race and was the Ambulatory division winner.

Parkside Stampeders Merrick Rollins catches the ball between Lucas Vikings Daniel Wojnowski, left, and Darius Brodt, during the TVRA junior football semifinal, at Parkside CI, November 3. Lucas won 15-6. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Friday, November 4, 2022
ST. THOMAS - The Parkside Stampeders needed a few more offensive plays.
The Lucas Vikings snuck off with a 15-6 win, against Parkside, in the Thames Valley Regional Athletic Association (TVRA) junior football semifinals, at Parkside C.I., Thursday.
Scoreless at half-time, Merrick Rollins gave the host Stampeders, a 6-0 lead, on a 46-yard touchdown run, mid third quarter.
Lucas took a 7-6 lead, hitting their point after TD convert, late third quarter. Then the Vikings extended their advantage to 14-6, on the opening play of the fourth quarter.
Cameron Bourdeau scored both Vikings touchdowns, on pass plays of 45 and 52 yards.
The Vikings added a single late.
Parkside finishes the season at 5-2, both losses to Lucas.

St. Thomas Hawks Quinn Humphreys (4) leaves a pair of Red Storm tacklers behind him, during a London Minor Football U12 semifinal, Sunday, at City Wide Sports Fields. The Hawks won 19-13 in overtime. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, October 30, 2022
LONDON, Ont. - The St. Thomas Hawks saved their best for overtime.
Jaden Hinde scored the winning touchdown, to lift the Hawks over the Red Storm, 19-13, in a U12 semfinal in the London Minor Football Associaton, at City Wide Sports Fields
The Red Storm had the ball first in OT, but the St. Thomas defence prevented few yards to be gained.
The Hawks' offence picked up on the momentum and quickly moved the ball to the Red Storm's six yard line on a run by Quinn Humphreys.
St. Thomas led 6-0 and 13-6 on TDs by Humphreys and Brody Penhale.
Donavan Lambert and Connor Daigenault scored TDs for the Red Storm.
In U10 semifinal action, the Hawks fell to the Red Storm, with Mason Killough having the lone Hawks' TD.
The Red Storm dominated the U10 division going 7-0 in the regular season, outscoring opponents, 273-35.
The U14 Hawks lost their semifinal to the Rams, 33-12.

Dorchester Beavers Chloe Bozik, left and Megan McLachlin, during the novice girls race, at the Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WOSSAA) cross country championships, Springbank Park. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Friday, October 27, 2022
LONDON, Ont. - Four Lord Dorchester Beavers and two St. Joseph's Rams' teams are heading to OFSAA cross-country.
Tegan Ceccaese is returning to the high school provincial cross country championships, after placing fifth, in the senior girls race at the Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association WOSSAA meet, held at Springbank Park.
Three years ago, Ceccanese was a member of Dorchester's novice girls team that ran at OFSAA.
This year, three male runners will join Ceccanese at OFSAA. Kirk Hallman finished second in the novice boys race, while Ryan Johnson and Fernando Medina, were fourth and sixth, respectively, in the junior boys race.
The top two teams from each division and the top five individual runners, not with those top two teams, qualify for OFSAA, November 5, at Dagmar Ski Resort, near Uxbridge.
The Rams' novice girls won their team title, while the junior boys placed second, behind London Bessette.
St. Joe's Jackson Tomassen and Alban Diego, both qualified in the para division.

Ronan Davidson (88) of the St. Thomas Jr. Stars, scores tying the game at two with the Dundas Blues, early in the third period of the U13 final, at the St. Thomas Jr. Stars major tournament, Sunday, at the Joe. St. Thomas exploded for five third period goals, carrying the team to a 6-3 win. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, October 23, 2022
ST. THOMAS - The St. Thomas Jr. Stars found themselves in the third period.
The Jr. Stars scored six consecutive goals, rallying from down 2-0, to defeat the Dundas Blues, 6-3, in the U13 final, at the St. Thomas Minor Hockey Association Major tournament, at the Joe.
Ryder Doxtator, with two goals, Ronan Davidson, Leonardo Circelli, Nash Adams and Jackson Benoit, scored for the home team, who went 6-0-0 in the tournament.
The three day tournament featured 40 teams in four divisions, U11, U13, U15 and U18.
St. Thomas had teams advance to three finals.

Ryan Johnson, of the Lord Dorchester Beavers, leads teammate Fernando Medina, during the junior boys race, at the Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) Tri-County cross country championships, at the Gemini Sports Park, in Strathroy. The teammates finished the five kilometre race one-two, in rainy, windy and very cool weather. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Thursday, October 20, 2022
STRATHROY, Ont. - Beavers and Rams dominated the trails.
The Lord Dorchester Beavers and St. Joseph's Rams, are the overall boys and girls team champions, at Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) Tri-County cross country championships, at the Gemini Sports Park.
In rainy, windy and very cool conditions, runners strived to qualify for the WOSSAA championships, next Thursday, at Springbank park, in London.
Dorchester took the novice and senior boys team titles and placed second in junior. The Beavers had three individual race champions - Kirk Hallman, novice boys, Ryan Johnson, junior boys and Tegan Ceccanese, senior girls.
St. Joe's captured the novice girls, senior girls and junior boys team titles. Rams' Jackson Tomassen won the para race.
Noah Derganc, from the Parkside Stampeders, won the senior boys race, edging Dorchester's Jeremy Hardeman.
Ella Neil, of Woodstock Huron Park, won the novice girls race and Charlotte Piscione, of Woodstock C.I. is the junior girls champion.
The top 20 runners from each race and the top three teams in each division, advance to WOSSAA.

Brooke Gustavson, of Southwold school, with her gold medal for winning the bantam girls race, at the Valley cross country championships, Tuesday, at Fanshawe Conservation Area. (photo / courtesy Brenda Racher)

Tuesday, October 18, 2022
LONDON, Ont. - Brooke Gustavson is a Valley champion.
The Southwold student won the bantam girls race, at the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) elementary cross country finals, Tuesday, at Fanshawe Conservation Area.
Gustavsen was one of six athletes from Elgin County and Dorchester-Thames Centre, to finish in the top five.
Brooke Masse, of Northdale Central in Dorchester, finished second, in the junior girls race.
Quinn Wilson, of Mitchell Hepburn in St. Thomas, crossed the finished line, third, in senior boys.
Elliott Hudson, intermediate boys, and Makayla Varalle, intermediate girls, both from West Nissouri school in Thorndale, also both finished fourth, in their respective races.
Jack Rice, of John Wise school in St. Thomas, was fourth, in senior boys.

Dale Sinclair, left, wears her team Ireland jacket and Jim Lyle stands beside the lifetime membership plaque, during the St. Thomas Curling Club member celebration night, October 15. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Monday, October 17, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Two of the best curlers St. Thomas has known, along with a provincial championship team, were honoured during the member celebration night, Saturday, at the St. Thomas Curling Club.
It was night to celebrate the curling accomplishments of Jim Lyle, Dale Sinclair and the 2022 mixed provincial winning team, of Scott MacDonald, Lori Eddy, Laura Neil and Matt Hall.
More to follow.

Parkside Stampeders Connor Ward makes the catch for a touchdown against the South Lions, during Thames Valley Regionals Athletics (TVRA) junior football, October 14, at Parkside C.I. The Stampeders won 33-17. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Friday, October 14, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Merrick Rollins and the Parkside Stampeders keep rolling.
Rollins scored five touchdowns, bringing his season total to 13, as the Stampeders galloped over the South Lions, 33-17, in Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) junior football, under the lights, at Parkside CI.
Cole Surmacz and Connor Ward, with a superb catch, also had TDs for the home side. Rollins also kicked three point after touchdowns.
South led 7-0 early, but Parkside responded 75 seconds later, tying the game, on Rollins' first rumble in to the end zone.
The Lions took a 10-7 lead on a Deaglan McNamara second quarter field goal, before the Stampeders scored four consecutive TDs.
Jacob Rowley and Ali Self, had TDs for South, converted by McNamara.
Parkside remains undefeated at 4-0, first in Central Darnell junior division.

St. Joseph's Rams Will O'Brien escapes the sand bunker on hole 16, during day two of OFSAA boys golf, Thursday, at FireRock Golf Club. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Thursday, October 12, 2022
KOMOKA, Ont. - Jack Zylstra is an OFSAA champion.
The St. Joseph's Rams student won the high school division, at OFSAA boys golf, today, at FireRock Golf Club.
Zylstra carded a two day score of 152, two strokes lower than Cole Thompson, of Grimsby Blessed Trinity HS.
Matthew Javier, led North York Crescent school to the team title, by dominating the open division and tournament overall.
Javier fired an impressive five-under 67, on day two, to finish the tournament with a 137, seven strokes better than Matthew Lyons, from St. Andrew's College.
Crescent won the team championship by 11 strokes, with St. Andrew's, from Aurora, placing second and Stratford St. Mike's, third.
At OFSAA girls golf, at Flamborough golf club, St. Joseph's Rams Jadelina Tep-Chhun, placed 27th, in the open division.
Mia Truong, of Newmarket Huron Heights, won the open division, with a two day score of 148
Celina Yeo, the WOSSAA champion, from London Aquinas, finished sixth (152).

St. Joseph's Rams Jack Zylstra chips the ball on to the green, during day one of OFSAA boys golf, at FireRock Golf Club Wednesday. Zylstra is tied for third, going into the second and final day. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Wednesday, October 12, 2022
KOMOKA, Ont. - Jack Zylstra is within striking range of provincial gold.
The St. Joseph's Ram sits tied for third place overall, after carding a 74, on day one of the OFSAA boys golf championship, at FireRock Golf Club.
Matthew Javier, of Crescent school, in North York, leads the field, after firing a two-under 70.
Eric Zhao, also from Cresecent school, is two strokes back, even at 72, over 18 holes.
There are two divisions at OFSAA, open and high school. Zylstra is tied for the individual lead in the high school division.
Crescent leads the team standings with a four person total score of 221.
St. Andrew's College is second, at 229, followed by Guelph JF Ross, 238, and the Zylstra led Rams, at 239.
Medway, the host school, is ninth, at 246.
At OFSAA girls golf, at Flamborough golf club, near Ancaster, St. Joseph's Rams Jadelina Tep-Chhun, carded a day one score of 84.
Celina Yeo, the WOSSAA champion, from London Aquinas, has a share of first place, with a day one score of 71.

St. Thomas Hawks Bennett McIntyre races towards the end zone against the Cobras, during London Minor football U10 action, October 10, at 1Password Park. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Monday, October 10, 2022
ST. THOMAS - The St. Thomas Hawks spent Thanksgiving Monday feasting on Cobras.
The Hawks swept a London Minor Football triple-header at 1Password Park, winning each of the U10, U12 and U14 games.
Bennett McIntyre had five touchdowns as the Hawks devoured the Cobras, 42-14, in the U10 encounter.
In U14 action, the Hawks stomped on the Cobras, 47-15. Brendan McCausland and Nate Guest, both had two TDs, while Hudson Glover and Brady Congdon, each had one.
Over the U12 division, the Hawks silenced the Cobras, 28-0, to improve to 3-2.

Celina Yeo, the WOSSAA girls golf champion, with St. Jospeh's Rams Jade Tep-Chhun, at right, the silver medalist and Kassandra Rombouts, bronze medalist, Monday, at The Fox Golf Club. They are also holding their medals from the TVRA tournament. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Monday, October 3, 2022
GRANTON, Ont. - Jade Tep-Chhun will be taking her clubs to OFSAA.
The St. Joseph's Grade 10 student placed second at WOSSAA girls golf, today, at The Fox Golf Club.
Tep-Chhun carded an 81, including two birdies over 18 holes.
Celina Yeo, of London Aquinas, ran away with the gold medal, with a round of 72.
Kassandra Rombouts, from Strathroy Holy Cross, finished third, with an 84.
The trio will be in the Open division at OFSAA.
Goderich District, led by Audrey Cook, won the team title.
Katie Amos (Medway), Katie Shand (Banting) and Leah Cornochan (Clinton St. Anne's), were the top three OFSAA qualifiers, in the high school division.
Abbey Wright, of London Central, won B flight (nine holes), with a 44.
Dorchester's Portia Metcalf and Central Elgin Titan Rebecca Nurton, tied for sixth, each carding a 52.

OFSAA, the high school provincial championships, is at Flamborough Hills golf club, north of Ancaster, October 12-13.

Dorchester Beavers Ryker Daniel escapes the sand bunker, during WOSSAA boys' golf, Thursday, at the St. Thomas Golf and Country Club, in Union. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Thursday, September 29, 2022
UNION, Ont. - The St. Joseph's Rams boys golf team will be teeing off at OFSAA.
The Rams won the team title, at the WOSSAA championship, today, at the St. Thomas Golf and Country Club.
Jack Zylstra, Will O'Brien, Gryffin Gold and Ethan Slaats, combined for a winning score of 261, edging the Medway Cowboys and Stratford St. Mike's.
St. Mike's Rylan Hall, won the individual title in a playoff over London Oakridge's Liam McKeiver. Both carded a 78 over 18 holes.
Zylstra finished third, firing a 79.
Central Elgin Titans Kallan Gillard, had a round of 80, good for a share of fourth place.
The Rams' team, Hall and McKeiver, advance to OFSAA, at Firerock golf club, in Komoka, October 12-13.

Erica Dreyer (2019) and Melissa Stein (2084) enjoy conversation during the half marathon at the Railway City Road Races, September 25, in St. Thomas. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Monday, September 26, 2022
ST. THOMAS - The Railway City road races were back on track for the first time this decade.
The event featured races of five and 10 kilometres, a half marathon and a one kilometre Choo Choo Challenge for children age 10 and under.

Jacob Zerko, of Cambridge, won the 10K, in 33 minutes and 47 seconds (33:47). Andrew Monteith, a 16-year old student at Parkside Collegiate, finished third, in 38:26.
Sylvia Courtis, of St. Thomas, was the top female, placing eighth overall, in a time of 43:38.
Sean Pynaert, from Thorndale, took the 5K, in 20:30, followed by Belmont's Reid Lester (21:02).
Matt Straatman, of Lucan, was the half marathon champ, with Janet Tufts, the top female.

Parkside Stampeders Hudson Andrews (33) leaps to make a catch against the Banting Broncos, during Thames Valley Regional Athletics senior football, Friday, at Parkside C.I. Banting won 15-3. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Saturday, September 22, 2022
ST. THOMAS - There are so many new faces on the Parkside Stampeders senior football team, even head coach Jason Congdon may need a roster.
Only four starters from last year's team were on the field, when the Stampeders kicked off their 2022 Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) season, hosting the London Banting Broncos, under the lights, Friday.
A pair of touchdowns led Banting to a 15-3 win.
In junior action, Parkside defeated Banting, 26-22.
Stampeders' tailback Merrick Rollins scored three touchdowns, while slotback Connor Ward had a TD and ran in a two-point covert.

Dorchester Beavers Megan McLachlin (201) attacks the hill, during the Novice girls race, at the Dorchester X-Country Festival, Thursday, behind the Flight Exec Centre. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Thursday, September 22, 2022
DORCHESTER, Ont. - Abi Faris had an impressive debut in high school cross country (X-C).
The Grade nine student finished second in the Novice girls' race and led the St. Joseph's Rams to the team title, at the Dorchester X-Country Festival, behind the Flight Exec Centre.
The Rams won the team title, by more than 30 points.
Noah Bakker and Fowler Little, placed eighth and ninth, respectively, to lead the Rams' junior boys to first place.
Winners - Paige Marchant, London CCH, senior girls, Ian McAllister, London Central, senior boys; Kevin Chen; London Central, junior boys; Haley Haskett, Arva Medway, junior girls; Jacob Jansen, London Aquinas, novice boys; Jelani Oyomo, London South, para.
Dorchester Festival begins the XC season, that includes a meet at the Springwater Conservation Area, October 13. The TVRA championships are at Strathroy, October 20, followed by WOSSAA, at Springbank Park, in London, Oct. 27.

St. Marys Lincolns Jacob Chantler, far left, and Matt Prendergast (18) squeeze out St. Thomas Stars Spencer Vandenberg from pursuing the puck, during Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League action, at the Joe, Sunday. The Stars won in overtime, 5-4. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, September 18, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Spencer Vandenberg's move worked.
Vandenberg broke in alone and beat goalie Carter George, for the overtime winning goal, lifting the St. Thomas Stars to a 5-4 win, over the St. Marys Lincolns, in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League action, at the Joe.
The Stars trailed 4-2, midway through the third period, before their special teams stepped up.
Andrew Seminara scored on the power play and Connor Snedden potted a shorthanded goal, with just over two minutes remaining in the period.
St. Thomas led 1-0 and 2-1, on goals from Brenden Cattrysse and Callum Snedden.
Stars' keeper Wyatt Sloetjes made 38 saves, as the Lincolns outshot the home team, 42-23.
The Stars lead the Western Conference with a 3-0-0-1 record, for seven points.

Dorchester Dolphins Paterson MacNair (21) watches the puck he shot elude Petrolia Flyers' goalie Elijah Grant for a goal, during the Dolphins' Provincial Junior Hockey League season opener, at the Flight Exec Centre, Friday. Dorchester blanked Petrolia, 7-0. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Saturday, September 17, 2022
DORCHESTER, Ont. - It is the annual preseason goal every year in Dorchester.
Since it was missed the past two seasons, the Dorchester Dolphins are hungrier, perhaps more than ever in the club's 10 year existence, to return to the Provincial Junior Hockey League Yeck Division final.
Last season, one greatly affected by the COVID pandemic, the Dolphins were eliminated by the Thamesford Trojans for the second consecutive season (2021 was cancelled) in the playoffs. Dorchester had been to eight consecutive finals, winning three times, the last title in 2017.
The Dolphins opened the 2022-23 season at home, shutting out the Petrolia Flyers, 7-0, Friday.
Patterson MacNair and Curtis Nogueira both scored twice, with Logan Corbeil, Jakob Marche and Austin Connors, netting singles.

Glencoe Astros pitcher Greg Moore (5) watches his second baseman tag St. Thomas Storm's Jay Schnarr out attempting to steal second base, during game three of the South Middlesex Men's Fastball League semifinal, Wednesday, at Fingal. Glencoe won 5-3. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Thursday, September 15, 2022
FINGAL, Ont. - The St. Thomas Storm are looking for a few clutch hits.
On three occasions the Storm stranded runners in scoring position, during a 5-3 loss to the Glencoe Astros, in game three of the South Middlesex Men's Fastball League semifinal, under the lights Wednesday.
Glencoe now leads the best of five series, two games to one, heading back to Glencoe Friday, for game four.
The Storm left five runners on second or third base, hit in to double plays twice and three times, had their lead-off batter reach base, but fail to score.
Bryan Johnson had the highlight of the game, a three-run homer in the fifth inning, to give Glencoe a 5-3 lead.

St. Thomas Hawks offensive line and quarterback Quinn Humphreys (white helmet), start a play against the Wolverines, during minor football action, at City Wide Fields, in London. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, September 11, 2022
LONDON, Ont. - The St. Thomas Hawks were victorious at all three levels on opening day of minor football.
The Hawks U10, U12 and U14 teams all won their first games of the season for the London Minor Football Association, today, at City Wide Fields.
Quinn Humphreys scored on the last play of the fourth quarter, lifting the U12 Hawks, to a 18-13 victory over the Wolverines.
Hudson Glover scored two TDs, as the U14 Hawks blanked the Wolverines, 20-0.
In U10 action, the Hawks won 43-28.

St. Thomas Stars goalie Wyatt Sloetjes and Jackson Phillips follow the puck, after Sloetjes made a save against the Komoka Kings, Friday, at the Joe. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Saturday, September 10, 2022
ST. THOMAS - The St. Thomas Stars grabbed three of a possible four points on the opening weekend, of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
Wyatt Sloetjes made 38 saves as the Stars blanked the Leamington Flyers, 2-0, on the road Thursday.
Nick Houben and Callum Snedden scored about five minutes apart in the first period.
At the Joe Friday, the Komoka Kings won in a shootout, 4-3.
The Stars led 3-2 until Adam Zuckerman tied the game with four minutes and 15 seconds remaining in the third period.
Camden Pellerine, Josh Cini and Jackson Dobbin, scored for the Stars.
Justin Skirten opened the game's scoring 37 seconds in to the second period and had the shootout winner. Tyler Renneboog also scored for Komoka.

Cassidy Broderick in her Team Ontario jersey prior to attending the Canadian 16U girls baseball championship, in P.E.I., August 25-28. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Tuesday, September 6, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Five years ago Cassidy Broderick was active in basketball, soccer and dance.
One evening at a friend's home, Broderick started hitting baseballs off of a tee.
From never touching a baseball, a love for the game suddenly consumed her and Broderick joined the St. Thomas Cardinals for the 2018 season.
This summer, just four years into her career, the 14-year old was named to Team Ontario, for the Canadian 16U girls baseball championship, in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, August 25-28.

The St. Thomas Cardinals join the St. Marys Rockies, following the Ontario Baseball 13U 'C' championship final, Sunday at the Tarry Complex. St. Marys won the provincial title. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, September 4, 2022
ST. THOMAS - The St. Thomas Cardinals had to settle for silver at three provincial championships.
The Cardinals were silver medalists at the Ontario Baseball 13U 'C', 14U 'B' and 9U tournaments, this past weekend.
Leamington completed an undefeated run of six wins, downing St. Thomas, 11-5, in the 14U 'B' final, at Emslie Field.
St. Marys defeated St. Thomas twice Sunday, including 18-7, in the final, at the Tarry Complex.
St. Thomas blanked the Aylmer Pirates, 7-0, in an all Elgin County 13U semifinal.
The 9U Cardinals lost their final to Woodstock, in the bottom of the seventh inning.

St. Thomas Cardinals Kole Barned disagrees with the umpire's call at second base, against the St. Marys Rockies, during the 13U 'C' Ontario Baseball championship, Saturday at the Tarry Complex. St. Thomas won 9-3, to remain undefeated at 3-0. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Saturday, September 3, 2022
ST. THOMAS - The St. Thomas Cardinals are in a good spot heading in to the final day of the Ontario Baseball 13U championship.
St. Thomas is the lone undefeated team, at 3-0, following a 9-3 win over St. Marys, Saturday at the Tarry Complex.
The Cardinals scored three runs in each of the third, fifth and sixth innings
At the 14U provincial 'B' tournament, held at Emslie and Cardinal fields, St. Thomas is in the semifinals, with a 3-1 record.

St. Thomas Reds Kylie Todd (16) makes a move to shake a St. Columban player, during the Elgin Middlese District Soccer League U14 girls' Cup final, Sunday, at North London fields. St. Thomas won 2-1. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, August 28, 2022
LONDON, Ont. - It almost came to an end.
With under five minutes remaining the second half, the St. Thomas Reds trailed St. Columban, 1-0, in the Elgin Middlesex District Soccer League U14 girls Cup final.
The Reds, aiming to complete an undefeated season, needed Allie Rickwood and Ruby Steen, to strike minutes apart, and stun St. Columban, 2-1, Sunday, at North London Fields.
St. Thomas finishes with a record of 16 wins and one tie, in league action, regular season and Cup play combined.

St. Thomas Reds Cadence Hardwick (11) battles Oakridge Fury's Maya Ball, during the Elgin Middlese District Soccer League U17 girls' Cup final, Sunday, at North London fields. St. Thomas won 2-0. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, August 28, 2022
ST. THOMAS - The St. Thomas Reds stepped up to show their true capabilities on the final weekend of the season.
Rylan Watson, late in the first half and Imogen Salin scored, as St. Thomas blanked the first place Oakridge Fury, 2-0, to win the U17 girls' District Cup, in the Elgin Middlesex District Soccer League, Sunday, at North London Fields.
Keeper Jessy Rady had the shutout and also the clean sheet, in a 1-0 win over Strathroy, in the semifinals, on Saturday. Reece Coleman potted the match's lone goal.

St. Thomas Cardinals Wyatt Atchison sets for the catch, against Sarnia, in game two of their LDBA 14U playoffs, Saturday, at Emslie Field. The Cardinals won 14-2. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, August 21, 2022
ST. THOMAS - The St. Thomas Cardinals are a win away from playing for the London and District Baseball Association 14U title.
The Cardinals face London Talons in a semifinal, Wednesday, 8 p.m., at Emslie Field.
Originally scheduled for today, the game, along with the final, was postponed due to rain.
St. Thomas opened playoffs Friday night, with a 12-4 win against North London. The Cardinals improved to 2-0, thumping Sarnia, 14-2, Saturday morning.
The London Talons hooked their claws in to the Cardinals, for a 16-4 win, Saturday afternoon.
London West (2-1) got the bye directly to the final, leaving the semifinal to be another battle of the birds.

The Renovate-It dugout watches a teammate score a run, avoiding a tag by Maxwell's catcher, during the Squirt final, at the St. Thomas Optimist softball playoffs, August 14, at the Tarry Complex. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Monday, August 15, 2022
ST. THOMAS - GasTech had the fuel while Renovate-It built a winner.
Both teams were champions at the St. Thomas Optimist Softball playoffs, August 12-14, at the Tarry Complex.
GastTech doubled up on Lenny's, 10-5, for the Peewee Division title. Renovate0It defeated Maxwell's, in the Squirt final.

Kenzie Steele with her bronze medal, won at the U15 Canadian fast pitch championship, with UTM Southwest. (photo / courtesy Kenzie Steel)

Thursday, August 11, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Kenzie Steele had an experience of a lifetime out on the western prairie.
The 14-year old from Springfield, won a bronze medal, playing for UTM 2K7 Southwest, at the Canadian U15 girls fast pitch championship, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. August 3-7.
Lexie Sawyer helped D1 Nationals win the Provincial Women's Softball Association of Ontario U17 tier 1 title, in Windsor, August 5-7.
The St. Thomas native batted. 353, with a home run and had six RBI.

Libby McCurdy, left, with the silver medal in U16 women's pole vault, at the Legion Youth Nationals, at Sherbrooke University. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Friday, August 5, 2022
SHERBROOKE, Que. - Libby McCurdy is a National silver medalist.
The 15-year old from Sparta won silver in U16 women's pole vault at the Legion Youth National championships, this afternoon, at Sherbrooke University.
Mackenzie Hurtubise, of British Columbia, took gold, leaping 3.20 metres. McCurdy cleared 2.65 metres and bronze medalist, Jordyn French, of Ontario, 2.50 metres.
Earlier this year, McCurdy won gold at the Athletics Ontario and the Ontario Summer Games and took silver for novice women, at OFSAA, the high school championships.

St. Thomas Storm, Ontario provincial Masters champions. The Storm won the title with a 4-0 record, winning each game by a mercy. (photo / courtesy St. Thomas Storm)

Tuesday, August 2, 2022
KITCHENER, Ont. - A decade long wait is over.
The St. Thomas Storm are finally provincial Master champions, making up for lost time by mercying each of their opponents at the Ontario Amateur Softball Association tournament.
Led by MVP Mark Coleman, Top batter Matt Mclaren and top pitcher Fred Follings, the Storm outscored their opposition by a total of 39 runs to three.
St. Thomas beat Port Elgin, in six innings, in the final, to be the top Ontario team, for the Masters Canadians, Aug. 31-September 4, in St. John's Newfoundland.

Libby McCurdy gets over the bar at 2.90 metres, during U16 women's pole vault at Athletics Ontario outdoor championships, Sunday, at Western University. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Monday, August 1, 2022
LONDON, Ont. - Libby McCurdy keeps reaching new heights. The 15-year old from Sparta brought home her second provincial gold medal this within a week, winning the U16 women's pole vault, at Athletics Ontario outdoor championships, Sunday, at Western University.
McCurdy, with London-Western Club, set a personal best (PB) clearing three metres, a week after winning gold, at the Ontario Summer Games with a leap of 2.80 metres.
Matthew Piekny, of St. Thomas, won silver, in U18 men's pole vault, with a PB effort of 3.50 metres.
Evan Stevens, of Thorndale, took bronze, in U16 men's javelin, with a best throw of 41.20 metres.
Jadyn Luna, of Thorndale, set a PB placing fourth, in the U20 women's heptathlon, amassing 3,905 points.

Emma Westbrook sets to throw the javelin during the U18 women's heptathlon, at Athletics Ontario outdoor championships, Saturday, at Western University. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Monday, August 1, 2022
LONDON, Ont. - Emma Westbrook was getting tired of good but not great results.
Enter multi events, a contest where an athlete needs to good, perhaps not great, at several disciplines.
Westbrook captured the bronze medal, in the U18 women's heptathlon, a seven event contest, at Athletics Ontario (AO) outdoor championships, Saturday, at Western University.
It's the first provincial medal for the St. Thomas native, who trains with St. Thomas Legion track and field club.
Westbrook led a team of seven athletes, at the three day meet, that also was the AO U14/U16/U18 outdoor championships.
Savannah Vannoord won silver in the U14 women's 200 metre hurdles, finishing in 32.11 seconds. The West Lorne resident, who attends St. Mary's elementary school, just missed a medal, in the 80-metre hurdles, finishing fourth, in 14.28 seconds. Vannoord also placed eighth, in the 150-metre dash (21.29 sec.) and ninth, in the 80-metre dash (11.13 sec.)
Aiyana John, was eighth, in U16 women's high jump and ninth, in long jump.
David Anderson placed seventh in U18 men's discus and eighth, in shot put.

Libby McCurdy with her gold medal, won in U16 girls' pole vault, at the Ontario Summer Games. (photo / courtesy Sue McCurdy)

Sunday, July 24, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Libby McCurdy is an Ontario Summer Games champion.
The 15-year old from St. Thomas won U16 women's pole vault, with a personal best jump of 2.80 metres, during the Athletics competition, Saturday, in Mississauga.
McCurdy increased her PB by 15 centimetres, up from the 2.65 metres the St. Joseph's high school student cleared at OFSAA, where she won the novice women's silver medal.
Lexie Sawyer, of St. Thomas, won a gold medal with the D1 Nationals, in U17 girls' softball.
Connor Zavitz, Nolan Candy, Tyson Currah, all from Dorchester and Greyson Turner, of Thorndale, helped London defeat Clarington, 6-3, in the bronze medal game for box lacrosse.

Rebels Beckham Gallant, left, evades Bills Hudson McQuiggan, during the Game Time Intermediate final, Saturday, at Parkside Collegiate. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Saturday, July 23, 2022
ST. THOMAS - The Untouchables were just that.
Vance Glanville made four interceptions, two for touchdowns, leading the Untouchables to a 27-6 win, in the senior final, for Game Time flag football, at Parkside Collegiate.
Logan Hill and Logan Antolak, also found the end zone, while Antolak, Max Daniels and Brianna Vandersar, each caught a pass for a one-point covert.
The senior game was one of three division finals, to conclude the eighth season of the league.
In the intermediate final, Creed Green had both TDs, as the Rebels beat the Bills, 14-7. Led by three TDs from Drew Shaw, Mean Machine got by the Irish, 25-20, for the junior crown.

St. Thomas Reds Ruby Steen scored three times, in a 3-1 win, against Golden Feet, in Elgin Middlesex District U14 girls soccer, Thursday, at Athletic Park. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Friday, July 22, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Ruby Steen scored three times to lead the St. Thomas Reds to a division best ninth win of the season.
St. Thomas defeated Golden Feet, 3-1, in the top tier of U14 girls, in the Elgin Middlesex District Soccer League, to remain perfect at 9-0-0.

Visitors enjoyed street curling during a Track to the Future mural festival stop, at the St. Thomas Curling Club Saturday. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, July 17, 2022
ST. THOMAS - The St. Thomas Curling Club is taking the game to the streets.
Out to promote, not only the club on Parkside Drive, but the 2023 Brier, the National men's championship, March 3-12, in London, the club was showcasing the game, summer style, outside their building Saturday.
Visitors were able to curl outside thanks to a synthetic rink on a portable inflatable base, measuring eight metres in length and two metres wide.
The club was one of several locations for the city wide Track to the Future mural festival and along with curling, there was live music, food, beverages and ice cream.

Jayden McMullen, of St. Thomas, (red bike) won each of his three Grade A races, at a Youth Cup cycling event, July 9, in London. (photo / courtesy McMullen family)

Wednesday, July 13, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Jayden McMullen swept the gold medals in the top division, at the Youth Cup summer criterium cycling races.
The 16-year old from St. Thomas, riding with KW Cycling Academy, won three races - time trials, skills time trials and criterium, in the Grade A division, July 9, in London.
The event featured four grades, A to E, with the top grade having the longer distances.
Brody Mann, of St. Thomas, won the Grade B criterium race. Eve Buczkowski, also from St. Thomas, won the Grade C criterium race.

Jadyn Luna, of Thorndale, with London-Western club, throws the javelin, during the women's heptathlon, at the Canada Summer Games Trials, June 3, in Toronto. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Tuesday, July 5, 2022
ST. THOMAS - Not wanting to be stuck with just one event, Jadyn Luna decided on training for seven.
Jadyn Luna placed sixth in the heptathlon, with a personal best overall score of 3,808 points, at the Canada Summer Games Trials, July 2-3, in Toronto.
The 18-year old from Thorndale, who trains with London-Western club, used the meet as preparation for Athletics Ontario U18/U20/Open and Masters combined events championships, July 29-30, at Western University, in London. Luna increased her PB overall score by 200 points.
Michael Roth is going to the Canada Summer Games.
The St. Thomas native was officially named to Team Ontario, Tuesday, for the men's 400-metre dash.
Roth finished second in the 400, at Trials, with a season best time of 47.19 seconds.

St. Thomas Tomcats catcher Charlie Bowman can't come up with the ball up against the backstop, from a foul hit by Milton, during the Lakeside Senior tournament, at Emslie Field, June 25.

Saturday, July 2, 2022
ST. THOMAS - It has been five years since the St. Thomas Tomcats have been at the Canadian 22U men's baseball championship.
That season, in 2017, the Tomcats brought home a bronze medal, from the tournament played in Gatineau, Quebec and Ottawa.
A year later, the Tomcats hosted the National event, but were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Those years may seem a distant memory, thanks to the COVID pandemic wiping out the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
The Tomcats are back at Emslie field, competing in the Junior Intercounty League and preparing for the upcoming provincial Eliminations, with an eye on Canadians.
The Eliminations, a 24-team tournament, is July 21-25, in Windsor. Two teams will represent Ontario at this year's 22U Canadian men's championship, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 4-7.

Tristan Coles with his gold medal from the U20 men's 5000 metres, won at the Canadian track and field championships, in Langley B.C., June 26.

Sunday, June 26, 2022
LANGLEY B.C. - Tristan Coles had the race of his life and now is a Canadian champion.
Coles, from St. Thomas, won the U20 men's 5000 metre run, at the Canadian track and field championships, finishing in 14 minutes and 56.94 seconds.
His brother Aiden, placed eighth.
Hallee Knelsen, of Malahide, won a silver medal, in the U20 women's 800 metres.

Kylie Todd, of the St. Thomas Reds, seems to be urging the ball to follow her, during an U15 girls Ontario Cup match against Niagara, Sunday, at Athletic Park. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, June 26, 2022
ST. THOMAS - One of the hottest teams in local soccer are the St. Thomas Reds U15 girls.
Not only are the Reds undefeated in the tier one division of the Elgin Middlesex District League, they are heading to the second round of the Ontario Cup.
Kylie Todd scored twice and Jade Lawrence had the winner, as St. Thomas beat Niagara, 3-1, in Ontario Cup match, Sunday, at Athletic Park.

Saturday, June 25, 2022
LANGLEY, B.C. - Aiden Coles is a Canadian bronze medalist.
The 17-year old from St. Thomas finished third, in the U20 men's 1500 metre run, in a time of 4:00.86, at the Canadian track and field championships.
Aiden's brother, Tristan placed fifth, in 4:00.94. Oakville's Riley Flemington was fourth, in 4:00.97.
Micheal Roth, of St. Thomas, finished fifth, in the senior men's 400-metre final, with a season's best (SB) time of 47.21 seconds.
Hallee Knelsen advanced to the U20 women's 800-metre final, avoiding a fall by two runners early in the race, to win her heat.

Alexis Coombs, a coach with HSE Stables, watches Vonne Townsend riding her horse Lady, during the Prelude Circiut show, at the Andromeda Equestrian Centre, east of Mossley, June 19. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, June 19, 2022
MOSSLEY,Ont. - The Prelude Circuit horse shows made a stop at the Andromeda Equestrian Centre.
Alexis Coombs with HSE Stables, made her coaching debut at a show with two young riders, Vonne Townsend and Courtney Lang.
Nadia Underhill, a young rider from Port Stanley, also with HSE, made her first appearance showing, riding a horse named Toby.

Mitchell Hepburn Mustangs Allie Rickwood, right, basically puts the ball directly in to the glove of Gabby Henderson, for an out at second base, during the Elgin County girls' slo-pitch final against the Locke's Lions, at the Sauve Avenue diamonds. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Tuesday, June 14, 2022
ST. THOMAS - The Mitchell Hepburn Mustangs are Elgin County girls slo-pitch elementary school champions.
The Mustangs defeated the Locke's Lions, 11-3, in the final, Tuesday, at the Sauve Avenue diamonds.
Sadie Dowswell had a solo home run and a two run single, that put the 'Stangs up 4-3. Alexis Fish drove in two runs.
Locke's led 3-2, until Hepburn scored seven runs in one inning.
Miya Sutcliffe hit three home runs in the tournament, that the Mustangs went 5-0, including defeating the Kettle Creek Captains, in the semifinals.

AJ Stanat spins toward a throw in men's shot put, at Athletics Ontario's U20 and Open championships, Sunday, at York University. The St. Thomas Legion club member won silver. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Sunday, June 12, 2022
TORONTO, Ont. - Hallee Knelsen successfully defended her gold medal in both of her races.
The 19-year old from Malahide, won the women's 800 and 1500 metre races, at Athletics Ontario's U20 championships, June 8-10, at York University.
Knelsen was one of five athletes from St. Thomas Legion Club, who captured medals.
AJ Stanat, of St. Thomas, won silver in men's discus, shot put and hammer throw.
Tayah DeSousa won silver in women's long jump and placed fourth, in the 100-metre hurdles.
Dylen Belanger, took silver in the men's 400-metre hurdles and finished fifth, in the 110-metre hurdles.
Mason Basson brought home bronze, from the men's 1500 metres and placed fourth, in the 800 metres.
Brothers Aiden and Tristan Coles, of St. Thomas, finished one-two, in the men's 1500 metres.
The London-Western Club members, closed the meet, winning the men's 4x400-metre relay race, with Harrison Belanger and Vincent Moore.

Dorchester Beavers celebrate winning the OFSAA single-A girls soccer gold medal match, Saturday, at the Atlas Recreation Centre, in Belle River. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Saturday, June 4, 2022
BELLE RIVER, Ont. - The Dorchester Beavers are OFSAA champions.
Annika Nolte and Mya Steller, with the winner, scored as the Beavers edged Smithville Christian, 2-1, in the OFSAA single-A girls soccer gold medal game, at the Atlas Recreation Centre.
Dorchester goes undefeated over seven games in the provincial tournament, with six wins and a tie.
The champs complete an undefeated season, including winning the Gemini Cup, in Tillsonburg, against double-A and triple-A schools.

Dorchester Beavers Mya Steller leaves a Mackenzie player on the ground behind her, during an OFSAA single-A girls soccer semifinal, this morning at the Atlas Recreation Centre. Dorchester won 4-0. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Saturday, June 4, 2022
BELLE RIVER, Ont. - The Dorchester Beavers are playing for an OFSAA championship.
The Beavers go for the OFSAA single-A girls soccer title at 1:15 p.m today, against Smithville Christian.
Smithville Christian upended top seeded Glengarry, 3-1, in their semifinal.
Annika Nolte with two goals and Bella Nolte scored, as Dorchester blanked MacKenzie, from Deep River, 3-0, in a semifinal this morning.

St. Joseph's Rams Libby McCurdy won a silver medal in novice women's pole vault, at the OFSAA track and field championships, Friday, at York University. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Friday, June 3, 2022
TORONTO, Ont. - Four local athletes stood on the podium, on day two of the OFSAA track and field championships, at York University.
St. Joseph's Rams Aiden Coles, in the senior men's 1500-metres (three minutes and 49.07 seconds 3:49.07) and Libby McCurdy, in novice women's pole vault (2.65 metres), both won silver medals.
Dorchester Beavers Evan Stevens, won silver, in novice men's javelin (44.71m), just three centimetres short of winner Jack Brownlee, of Fonthill.
St. Joseph's Rams Tristan Coles, took bronze, in the senior men's 1500 metres (3:51.14).
Just missing the podium was Parkside Stampeders Merrick Rollins, placing fourth in novice men's javelin (42.13m).
St. Joe's open men's 4x400-metre relay team of, Aiden and Tristan Coles and Dylen and Harrison Belanger, easily qualified for Friday's final, cruising in at 3:30.07.

Dorchester Beavers Julia Ritchie (black jersey) races Lajeunesse Lions Payton Quenneville for the ball, during day one of the OFSAA single-A girls soccer championship, in Windsor. The Beavers won 4-0. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Thursday, June 2, 2022
WINDSOR, Ont. - It was a good start for the Dorchester Beavers at OFSAA.
The Beavers won both games on day one of the single-A girls soccer provincial championship, defeating Sudbury L'Horizon, 7-3, before blanking host Windsor Lajeunesse, 4-0.
The Beavers jumped out to a 3-0 lead, before L'Horizon's striker Kiara Levar scored two of her three goals, making it a 3-2 game. Then Dorchester took over, with Annika Nolte finishing with four goals and Madie Benjamin, three.
Annika Nolte had three more goals and Mya Stellar one, chipping in a cross from Nolte, as the Beavers did their best, at not only silencing the Lajeunesse team on home turf, but their fans as well.

Kendall Dettloff, of Dorchester, during her women's 53-kilogram gold medal match at the National Junior wrestling championships, in Edmonton, May 28. (photo Bill Bain / courtesy Kendall Dettloff)

Wednesday, June 1, 2022
DORCHESTER, Ont. - Kendall Dettloff is a Canadian wrestling champion.
Dettloff defeated Kelyn Young, of Guelph, with a pin, in the women's 53-kilogram gold medal match, at the 2022 National Junior Wrestling championships, May 27-28, in Edmonton, Alberta.
The comeback win earn Dettloff a spot on the Canadian team, for the Junior (U20) Pan-American championships, in Oaxtepec, Mexico, July 8 to 10.

Parkside Stampeders Logan Snyder finds space for a first half score, against Toronto Northern, in a consolation match, at OFSAA triple-A girls' rugby, at Eastwood Collegiate, in Kitchener. Snyders scored twice in a Stampeders' 10-7 win. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Tuesday, May 31, 2022
KITCHENER, Ont. - Logan Snyder will be the answer for a Parkside Stampeders' sports history question.
Who scored the winning try for Parkside's first ever win at OFSAA girls rugby?
Snyder had both scores as the Stampeders edged Toronto Northern, 10-7, in a consolation game, at OFSAA girls triple-A rugby, Tuesday, at Eastwood Collegiate.
Northern led 7-5 late in the second half, before Parkside had a lineout deep in the Northern end.
Parkside formed a maul around Snyders and helped push her in for a try, a five-point score.

Dorchester Beavers Evan Gillies clears the bar on his way to winning senior men's pole vault, on day two of OFSAA West regional track and field, at Sandwich secondary school in LaSalle. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Saturday, May 28, 2022
LASALLE, Ont. - Dylen Belanger added to his pile of gold while Evan Gillies accomplished a four year goal.
The two athletes were champions on day two of the OFSAA West regional track and field meet, at Sandwich secondary school.
Belanger, of St. Joe's high school, took the senior men's 400-metre hurdles in 55.30 seconds, adding to his gold from the 110-metre hurdles on day one.
Then at the end of the day, Belanger joined his twin Harrison Belanger and the Coles brothers, Aiden and Tristan, to win the open men's 4x400-metre relay race, in three minutes and 25.60 seconds (3:25.60).
It may have took Gillies in to his fifth year at Lord Dorchester secondary school, but the senior is heading to his first OFSAA, winning senior men's pole vault with a personal best (PB) 3.45 metre leap.
The top four in each event advance to OFSAA, June 2-4, at York University in Toronto.
Merrick Rollins placed second in novice men's discus (41.75 metres), adding to the Parkside Stampeder's gold in javelin and sixth place result from shot put.
Aiden and Tristan Coles finished two-three (8:36.87 and 8:38.72), in the senior men's 3000 metre run, behind a blazing meet record time, by London Central's Heath McAllister, of 8:18.71.
Parkside C.I.'s Alyssa Gordon placed second, in junior women's high jump (1.51m).
East Elgin Eagles Julie Nagelhout, landed second, in senior women's long jump, with a PB of 5.07 metres.
Parkside's Mason Basson finished fourth, in the senior men's 800-metre run, with a school record time of 1:55.04.
Dorchester's Sam Willsie, in the junior men's 800 metres (2:03.90) and Ryan Johnson, in the novice men's 3000 metres (9:57.88) and Julia Devine, in junior women's high jump (1.45m), each placed fourth.
Eagles' Taylor Kana, was fourth, in novice women's javelutin (28.97m).

Dorchester Beavers Brianna Rand, during senior women's triple jump, on day one of OFSAA West regional track and field, at Sandwich secondary school in LaSalle. Rand won with a best effort of 11.37 metres. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Friday, May 27, 2022
LASALLE, Ont. - Brianna Rand is a double gold medalist.
Rand, of the Dorchester Beavers, won the senior women's 110-metre hurdles and 30 minutes later, won triple jump, at the OFSAA West regional track and field championships, at Sandwich secondary school.
Rand hop, skipped and jump her way to a winning measurement of 11.37 metres, 25 centimetres more than second place Brianna Vamos, of Holy Trinity.
Prior to her win at the pit, Rand won hurdles in 15.49 seconds. In the heats, Rand set a personal best time (PB) of 15.11 seconds.
The top four in each event, advance to OFSAA, June 2-4, at York University, in Toronto.
Three other athletes from St. Thomas won gold. Another seven athletes from Elgin County and Dorchester placed in the top four, earning a spot at the provincial high school championships.
St. Joseph's Rams Dylen Belanger won the senior men's 110-metre hurdles in 14.74 seconds.
St. Joe's brothers Aiden and Tristen Coles, were one-two, in the the senior men's 1500 metres, with Aiden crossing the finish line in three minutes and 52.25 seconds (3:52.25).
Parkside Stampeders Merrick Rollins won novice men's javelin (43.45m) and placed sixth, in shot put (11.46 m).
Jayden Sargeant won silver in junior men's discus (37.60m) and was 13th in shot put (10.86m).
Parkside Stampeder Ethan Dolby sprinted to second place, in the senior mens' 100-metre final.
Dorchester Beavers Evan Stevens, placed third in novice men's javelin (43.06m).
St. Joe's Libby McCurdy, placed third, in novice women's pole vault (2.25m).
Parkside Stampeders Mason Basson finished fourth, in the senior men's 400-metre run (51.46 sec.), while teammate Andrew Monteith was fourth, in the junior men's 1500 metres.

The Dorchester Beavers celebrate winning a WOSSAA title and a berth at OFSAA, after blanking the Holy Cross Centurions, 5-0, in the single-A girls soccer gold medal match, at Van Dyk Park, in Strathroy. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Wednesday, May 25, 2022
STRATHROY, Ont. - The Dorchester Beavers are returning to OFSAA.
Annika Nolte scored four times as Dorchester shut out the Holy Cross Centurions, 5-0, in the WOSSAA single-A girls soccer gold medal match, at Van Dyk Park.
The Beavers had only edged London Christian, 2-1, in a semifinal, but had a dominate gold game.
McKenna Brown also scored for Dorchester, with keeper Kayle Smith posting the shutout.
Bella Nolte and Claudia Zavitz, with game winner, scored against London Christian.
OFSAA is June 2-4, at Belle River.
Dorchester placed fourth at OFSAA, 2019, the last time the high school provincial championship occurred.
Parkside's Alexis Gray finished 13th, in the novice women's 400 metre run.

Mason Basson leads Parkside Stampeders' teammate Vincent Moore and Lucas Viking Tom Boars during the final stretch of the senior men's 800 metre run, on day two of WOSSAA track and field, at Western University. Basson won in a minute and 58.53 seconds. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Thursday, May 19, 2022
LONDON, Ont. - The Parkside Stampeders senior boys are team champions.
Led by double gold medal winning runners, Mason Basson and Ethan Dolby, the Stampeders took home the team title, on day two of the WOSSAA track and field championships, today, at Western University.
However the team of Basson, Dolby, middle distance runner Vincent Moore, steeplechasers Justin Cole and Zachary Roberts-Neef and thrower Alistair Maciver, didn't get to celebrate as a group at the meet.
A miscount gave London Oakridge the award, until the error was later realized.
Basson won the 800-metre run today (1:58.53), to add to his 400 gold Thursday, while Dolby is the king of both the 100 and 200 metre (23.73 sec.) sprints.
Parkside's Merrick Rollins completed a sweep of the novice men's throwing events, by winning discus (41.77m).
St. Joe's Dylen Belanger won the senior men's 400-metre hurdles, by seven seconds in 56.19 seconds, to add to his 110-metre title. Rams' teammate Tristan Coles won the senior men's 3000 metres (8:52.28).
Belanger and Coles then joined their brothers, Harrison and Aiden, to form the winning men's 4x400-metre relay team (3:39.21).
Dorchester's Ryan Johnson took the novice men's 3000 metres (10:54.05), while Parkside's Andrew Monteith won the junior men's 800 metres (2:05.79).
Libby McCurdy, of St. Joe's, won novice women's pole vault (2.38m).
The top five in each event, advance to the OFSAA West regional, May 27-28, at Sandwich secondary school, in LaSalle.

St. Joseph's Rams Mara Kemmerling clears a hurdle on her way to winning the novice women's 80-metre hurdles final, in 13.74 seconds, on day one of WOSSAA track and field, at Western University. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Thursday, May 19, 2022
LONDON, Ont. - Brianna Rand and Merrick Rollins repeated their feats of a week earlier.
Both athletes were double gold medalists, on day one of the WOSSAA track and field championships, today, at Western University.
Rand, of Dorchester, won senior women's triple jump (11.22 metres) and the 100-metre hurdles (15.30 seconds). Rollins, of Parkside C.I., took gold in novice men's shot put (11.00m) and javelin (46.51m).
It was duplication of what Rand and Collins accomplished at the Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) meet.
Six additional athletes from Elgin County won gold on day one of the two day meet.
Mara Kemmerling, of St. Joe's high school, won novice the women's 80-metre hurdles (13.74 sec), placed third in the 100-metre dash (13.75 sec.) and fourth, in long jump (4.42m).
Parkside's Ethan Dolby, in the senior men's 100-metre dash (11.43 sec.) and Mason Basson, in the senior men's 400-metre dash (52.29 sec), both won gold.
Aiden Coles, of St. Joe's, won the senior men's 1500-metre run (3:51.04), while Dylen Belanger took the senior men's 110-metre hurdles title in 14.23 seconds.
Julie Nagelhout, of East Elgin Secondary, won senior women's javelin (31.81m).
The top five in each event, advance to the OFSAA West regional, May 27-28, at Sandwich secondary school, in LaSalle.

Parkside Stampeders Kian Mitchell eyes the ball above against Bessette Bulldogs, during a TVRA Central Division AAA boys soccer semifinal, Tuesday, at the North London Fields. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Tuesday, May 17, 2022
LONDON, Ont. - It was a tough outing for the Parkside Stampeders' boys soccer team.
The Bessette Bulldogs silenced the Stampeders, 7-0, in Thames Valley Regional Association (TVRA) Central Division AAA semifinal, at the North London Fields.
In girls' action, Maddy Dredge scored four times to carry the Medway Cowboys over Parkside, 6-1, in the girls' semifinals.
Lily Ryder had the Stampeders' lone goal.

St. Joe's Rams Rylan Watson fends off East Elgin Eagles Lexie Bertelsen battling for the ball, during TVRA girls soccer action, Monday, at East Elgin Secondary School. St. Joe's won 7-3. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Monday, May 16, 2022
AYLMER, Ont. - The St. Joseph's Rams will be the top AA team in the Thames Valley Regional Association (TVRA) South Division for girls' soccer.
The Rams dumped the East Elgin Eagles, 7-3, in the both teams final regular season game, to finish at 4-1. Averie Lindsay, Ashley Betancourt, Lily Wojtas, Georgia Macinnis, Imogen Salin, Emelia Marcinkiewicz and Sarah VanVelzer, scored for the Rams. The Eagles had Annelise Borm, Sarah Simpson and Hope Crossett, find the inside of the mesh.

Dylen Belanger, of St. Joe's high school, clears the last hurdle on his way to winning the senior boys' 110-metre hurdles, at the TVRA track and field championships, Thursday, at Western University. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Friday, May 12, 2022
LONDON, Ont. - It was the first Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) track and field championship in three years.
Along with the usual Grade nine novices, there were junior and first year senior athletes, making debuts at the two day event, at Western University.
Due to the COVID pandemic wiping out two years, there hasn't been a TVRA championship since 2019.
Parkside Stampeders Mason Basson and Ethan Dolby, St. Joseph's Rams Aiden Coles and Dylen Belanger and Dorchester's Brianna Rand, were among the local highlights, each winning gold in two individual senior events.
Coles and Belanger, joined their brothers, Tristan and Harrison, respectively, to win the open boys' 4x400-metre relay race.
Parkside's Merrick Rollins made the biggest debut, winning novice boys' shot put, discus and javelin.
St. Joe's Maya Kemmerling, won the novice girls' 100-metre dash and placed second in both long jump and the 80-metre hurdles.
Dorchester's Ryan Johnson won the novice boys 3000 metres and finshed second in the 1500 metres and fourth in the 800 metres.

Parkside Stampeder Cadence Hardwick returns a shot during the women's singles final, at the TVRA Tri-County tennis championships, Wednesday, at Pinafore Park. Hardwick won the final. (photo / Rob J. Ross)

Wednesday, May 11, 2022
ST. THOMAS - If this was the Kentucky Derby, tha Parkside Stampeders won by a nose.
In a tight battle for the team supremacy, Parkside edged both the East Elgin Eagles and Tillsonburg Glendale, by one point, at the Thames Valley Region Athletics (TVRA) Tri-County tennis championships, at Pinafore Park.
Cadence Hardwick, the women's singles winner, pushed the Stampeders over the top.
Eagles' Selecia Wall and Julie Nagelhout, won women's doubles gold.
Dorchester Beavers' Holly Brulotte and Sheldon Geerts, avenged a loss earlier in the draw, by beating the West Elgin Wildcats twice, in the mixed doubles final.
Ingersoll's Emmitt Robinson beat Dorchester's Luca Palajsa, in the men's singles final.
Glendale's Cole Toth and Evan Seaman edged the Central Elgin Titans' Logan Henderson and Tristan Wardle, in the men's doubles final.