Sports

Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing newsroom@merrittherald.com. Love To Dance students excel in RAD exams

LTD students successfully passed their Royal Academy of Dance exams.

Kate van Rensburg Kinley Stewart

Avery Warren Megan Voigt

Emma Doncaster, Olivia Boone, Priya Sandur

Mikayla Manke

Sofia McCulloch Zoe Andersen

“I am so proud every year when LTD students successfully pass their Royal Academy of Dance exams,” said Love To Dance Director Lizette Nel. “...Not easy, but a great achievement!”

The Royal Academy of Dance is one of the world’s most influential dance education and training organisations, with its global headquarters in London.

RAD Exam Credits can be used towards Fine Arts studies.

Royal Academy of Dance results

- Kate van Rensburg

- Grade 3: Distinction, Grade 3 Solo Performance: Distinction

- Emma Doncaster, Olivia Boone, Priya Sandur

- Primary Class Award with success

- Zoë

Andersen - Grade 4: Merit

- Megan

Voigt - Grade 7: Distinction, Repertoire 2: Distinction

- Kinley

Stewart - Grade 4: Distinction, Grade 4 Solo Performance: Distinction

- Avery

Warren - Intermediate: Distinction, Repertoire 2: Distinction

- Sofia

McCulloch - Grade 1: Merit

- Mikayla

Manke - Grade 4: Merit, Grade 4 Solo Performance: Merit

Merritt Centennials vs

WENATCHEE WILD DECEMBER 3 LOCATION TBA, 7:00 P.M. TRAIL SMOKE EATERS DECEMBER 4 LOCATION TBA, 7:00 P.M.

14 • THURSDAY, December 2. 2021 www.merrittherald.com NICOLA VALLEY NEWS Multi-player deal sends hometown favourite to Vernon

Merritt’s Talon Zakall (left) battles with a Prince George Spruce Kings player in front of the Centennials’ net in an Oct. 2021 BCHL matchup. Jake Courtepatte/Herald

Jake Courtepatte NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM

A key piece of the Merritt Centennials’ core for the past four seasons is moving on from his hometown squad.

Merritt born-and-raised defenseman Talon Zakall, who joined the junior A team in his rookie season in 2018, has been dealt to the Vernon Vipers in a multi-player swap.

The Cents announced on Nov. 30 that Zakall, along with forward Luke Lavery, had been traded to the Vernon Vipers for a pair of defenseman, a centreman, and future considerations.

A staple on the Merritt blue line, the six-foot, 185-lb. 18-year old has led the Cents in scoring this season, in what has been a lacklustre campaign for the team. Despite the Cents still searching for their first win on the year, Zakall managed eleven points in 14 games.

He will continue his BCHL career with the Vipers carrying over 61 points in 134 games.

Despite the change of scenery, it will be a difficult goodbye between the Cents, Cents fans, and Zakall - his father, Dave, also played with Merritt for two seasons between 1990-91.

Lavery, the other player heading to Vernon in the deal, was only acquired from the Nanaimo Clippers in early November, never having suited up in a Cents uniform.

Coming to Merritt is forward Nick Remissong, who in his second season in Vernon has managed a pair of goals and a pair of assists in 17 games.

Also included is defenseman Braden Smith, a veteran of 15 WHL games with the Victoria Royals, and fellow blue liner Desmond Johnson, who has put up five assists in 17 games with the Vipers this season.

The 0-13-1 Centennials are scheduled to return to the ice this weekend, though it is yet to be confirmed exactly where - games against the Wenatchee Wild and the Trail Smoke Eaters were originally scheduled to be played at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena on Friday and Saturday respectively, though due to the recent flooding and evacuations, nothing has been confirmed as of press time.

To keep updated with the schedule, visit www.merrittcentennials.com.