SportsXpress Chatham/Kent Jan/Feb 2015

YOUR COMMUNITY SPORTS CONNECTION

Chatham-Kent & Area Edition

January/February 2015 Volume 2 Issue 1

South Kent Lightning Win International

Silver Stick

Qualifier Championship

s a full ride Sydnye Gagner accept d Michigan! scholarship to Oaklan

@CKSportsXpress

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See inside for interview with Gary Patterson...

The Voice of Sports! www.facebook.com/cksportsxpress

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Owner/Publisher Isaak Fehr 226.996.9100 isaakf@sportsxpress.ca

General Manager Bernice Leslie 226.996.9100 bernicel@sportsxpress.ca

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 Chatham-Kent & Area Edition

Community Coach Rebecca Reimer 226.996.9100 rebeccar@sportsxpress.ca

letterfromthepublisher Welcome to our 2015 Launch Edition! In this edition we strived to highlight teams and people from all over Chatham-Kent. We are a locally owned and operated magazine publishing and distributing 10,000 copies in over 150 locations six times a year.

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We are all about the community: sports, players, athletes, families, volunteers, coaches, schools and fans.

We publish real life stories about people in our Chatham-Kent communities including all ages and skill levels. We invite anyone to submit stories, ideas, comments, articles or photos to us, so we can better serve our community.

We look forward to providing you with interesting reading throughout the entire year.

Thank you, Isaak Fehr, Owner/Publisher and Your Chatham-Kent SportsXpress Team!

teamprofiles

fromthesidelines

Profiling community sports 08 | Blenheim Blast Swim Team 11 | South Kent Lightning Midget AE 12 | Dresden Junior Kings 13 | Wallaceburg Lakers 22 | CCHS Senior Boys

05 | Gary Patterson – “That’s Sports!”

16 | Ascending Life’s Mountains 18 | Jennifer Postma 19 | Community Billboard 21 | Chatham-Kent Skate Schedule 23 | Lambton-Kent Community Sports Field

sportsfiles

health&fitness

Entertaining, informative and engaging articles on local athletes, sports and teams 07 | Steve Parr 50th Birthday Run 09 | Wallaceburg Skating Celebrates 60 Years 10 | Sydnye Gagner

15 | Defiance Running Club 20 | Joe Perry – One Tough Mudder

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asktheexpert Informative articles on sports, health, fitness and nutrition 06 | Work Out Your Plantar Fasciitis

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

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Chatham-Kent

Your Community

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Sports Connection

Magazine • Web • Sports & Event Marketing

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

Follow us on facebook at www.facebook.com/cksportsxpress Read us online OWNER/PUBLISHER

Isaak Fehr 226.996.9100 isaakf@sportsxpress.ca

GENERAL MANAGER

Bernice Leslie 226-996-9100 bernicel@sportsxpress.ca

SPONSORS AND ADVERTISING

Bernice Leslie 226-996-9100 bernicel@sportsxpress.ca Rebecca Reimer 226.996.9100 rebeccar@sportsxpress.ca

EDITOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Evan Novak Debbie Dunmall

CONTRIBUTORS

SportsXpress Team, Dr. Sarah Ytsma, Peggy L. Johnson, Deb Dauws, Jason Ulch, Dave Cameron, Wallaceburg Lakers, Bill Namink, Mark Childs, Heather Geluk, Joe Perry, Alex Sluys and other sports enthusiasts

PHOTOGRAPHERS

SportsXpress Team, Jane Parr, Jennifer Black, Murray Melton, Bill Namink, Les Norris, MJ Perry, Patricia Sluys, Gillian King, members of various local sports organizations and community sports fans

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Contact SportsXpress at: 1.877.588.8856 or email Sales@SportsXpress.ca

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Walter Browning walter@sportsxpress.ca

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CORPORATE MANAGER OF MARKETING & PRODUCTION

Kelly Martin KellyM@SportsXpress.ca

Mailing Address 50 Ottawa St. South, Unit 110, Kitchener, ON, N2G 3S7 519–208–9302 or 1-877-588-8856 Editorial Contributions: Submissions are welcome from writers, photographers, athletes, coaches and individuals. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. Contributors are responsible for obtaining all approvals for the publication of photos and content prior to submission. All submissions may not be used. We may edit, publish, reproduce, distribute and archive submissions in any form or medium without any compensation. We are not responsible for lost or damaged submissions. Contents copyrighted. All rights reserved. Reproduction or transmission of any article, photograph or artwork in any form or by any means without permission from the publisher is prohibited. SportsXpress is published six times per year. For detailed circulation information, contact Sports Express Media Inc. Sports Express Media Inc. is committed to protecting your privacy as our customer. We may collect personal information only if it is required for the proper functioning of our business and only share this information with our business partners. The editors and contributors who write for Sports Express Media Inc. attempt to provide accurate and useful information and commentary.

However, the editors, contributors and Sports Express Media Inc. cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information. We assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any readers based on the information provided. view & upload Photos • Video • Articles TM

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Your Community Sports Report

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

fromthesidelines

Gary Patterson – “That’s Sports!”

Interview by SportsXpress

Getting started

For Gary Patterson, sports are so much more than entertainment – “Sport is Life.”

As a sports announcer, his job is to call games - essentially explaining the game in real time, as it happens. In order to do so, Gary attended Lambton College for Radio, Television and Journalism. But it was his countless hours of volunteering at games in the community that landed him a sportsrelated career.

Gary’s first sports position was with Beaver Communication in September of 1993. Excited to be doing what he loved for a living, Gary jumped right in, becoming the sports guy of 94.3 and 92.9. When local radio station CFCO changed directions, Gary, along with his partners, started their own station in Wallaceburg, CKXS 99.1.

In a place as small as Chatham-Kent, one wouldn’t think there is much to call in the way of sports. Not so, Gary says: “This community has a rich history of local sports.”

Gary’s world of sports

His portfolio includes Junior B & C hockey like the Chatham Maroons, as well as the OHL, calling games for the Sarnia Sting as well as the North Bay Battalion.

For Gary, the world of sports is so much more than a job. It has also become a lifelong hobby. Led into the world of baseball

by his father, he continues to play slow pitch to this day. “My father was coaching two baseball teams at once; he was president of minor ball in Thamesville at the same time, lining the diamond, giving one coach directions, and going on the road with the other team,” Gary said.

He continued, “It is such a giving community. What these people give back to community, the coaches – it’s amazing what they do for the kids – the time they give…”

His favorite teams cover almost every professional team sport: Toronto Maple Leafs, Miami Dolphins, New York Yankees, as well as college sports played by the University of Michigan.

There are many highlights for Gary in his sports fan life, highlights, such as seeing the Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup, and watching the last home opener at Tiger Stadium, but for him, it’s watching kids grow up to reach their potential that really inspires him.

“I’ve been so fortunate in these years.

You get to see many local kids do well like Derek Whitson, TJ Brodie, Seth Griffith. To do that, and to be part of so many local things, that is the highlight.” As far as his sportscaster personality goes, Gary got the idea for his tagline “That’s Sports” from Van Earl Wright, who used to say

Mr. Patterson smiles for the camera.

“I’mmmmmmmmmmmm Van Earl Wright, CNN Headline Sports!

Gary believes in going after your dreams, and his dream is to call play-by-play NHL hockey. In fact, he is currently working toward that. The first step is to find a sportscaster suite at an NHL game so that he can record himself and send the tape to an agent and he is in touch with people that are helping him do just that.

With more than 20 years of experience in the sports world, Gary has met many people in the sports world – Joe Bowen of the Leafs, Kenny Holland, General Manager for the Red Wings (whose son played for the Maroons) – yet he remains a humble, community-oriented person. This shows in 99.1’s selection of news, music, community promotion, and love for local sports.

Gary says that “The biggest challenge of calling sports games is the crazy hours. But in the end, sports are all about the kids.

Sports teach so much more than skills – they teach relationships, and life lessons – that’s what’s really important!”

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asktheexpert

Work out your plantar fasciitis Submitted by Dr. Sarah Ytsma Let’s discuss an easily preventable good, you need to start slow and wear to see if the Achilles tendon on the back condition that is prevalent all year supportive shoes. Therefore, the right of the heel is bowed instead of straight round. The condition is called plantar time to start is now. Build up your up and down and they should feel if they fasciitis and is most commonly routine over the winter to allow the body can get three or four fingertips under experienced by pain in the heels and to adjust to the workout by the time the middle arches of your feet. They can soles of the feet. It often begins as a summer comes. also look for a bulging toward the inside painful annoyance that can quickly of the heel. If any of this is observed, develop into sharper pain, preventing you should probably be checked by one from exercising - even walking - and a chiropractor or foot specialist for can become a more chronic condition. orthotic (arch) supports.

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the Chiropractic adjustments of the muscles and the plantar fascia ligament feet and ankles often help. There are 226-996-1712 along the bottom of the foot become numerous stretches, taping techniques, 467orSt.Clair Chatham inflamed torn. Most ofSt. the pain is therapies and exercises that should be feltwww.ckperformancehealth.com in the middle of the heel where performed to provide lasting relief. In these muscles and ligaments attach. dealing with plantar fasciitis, remember For this reason, if the condition goes that it starts as an annoyance, but can Chiropractic Acupuncture • Massage Therapy become • Movement Therapy unresolved, the tension on•the heel can a difficult and chronic condition remodel the bone into a heel spur which very fast. is much more painful and difficult to So, listen to your feet and take good deal with. care of them!

Dr. Sarah Ytsma and her husband Dr. Causes Brian Sides currently own and operate This condition seems to be more Chatham Kent Performance Heath.

Check yourself! prevalent among the female population.

The best way to avoid plantar fasciitis Why, you may ask? Shoes! High heels, is to maintain a healthy weight and boots and flip flops are a recipe wear properly fitting and supportive If you would like to for trouble. Improperly fitting and shoes, especially when exercising or contribute to our unsupportive shoes are the most working on hard surfaces such as tile common cause for any foot problem. or concrete. Most often, this condition “Ask The Expert” column, Another reason for the nature of this begins with fallen arches of the feet. problem is people jumping into an To check for fallen arches, stand up please contact Bernice or exercise or running routine that they straight while looking straight ahead, are not used to, especially come spring and have someone on the ground Rebecca at 226-996-9100 and summer. While the intention is looking at your feet. They will be looking

The best way to avoid plantar fasciitis is to maintain a healthy weight and wear properly fitting and supportive shoes

226-996-1712 467 St.Clair St. Chatham www.ckperformancehealth.com

Chiropractic • Acupuncture • Massage Therapy • Movement Therapy 6

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

sportsfiles

Steve Parr runs 50 kilometres for 50th birthday Interview by SportsXpress, Photo Courtesy of Jane Parr How long have you been running for fun? I have been running off and on since I was about 22, but I have been running longer distances since 2006.

What role does running play in your life? Running is primarily for fitness, but it is also social with my Saturday morning running group, and it’s a time to think, when I run alone. For me there is such a good feeling at the end of a run.

What gave you the idea to run 50 kilometres for your 50th birthday? Mostly “Why not?” Then it was the idea of doing something different when I turned 50.

I wanted to celebrate that I have been blessed with fitness. I did run 45 kilometres when I turned 45.

What kind of training went into running this marathon? I just did typical marathon training except for a longer period (three months) and greater mileage. My longest weekly run was 25 kilometres in August, 30 in September, 35 in October, and 42

the first week of November. In October I was up to 55 per week. Actually, any distance over marathon over 42.2 kilometres is considered an ultra-marathon.

Do you have any encouragement to those who would like to get a start at running? Just run. Start slow, walk a bit and listen to your body. Make sure you have good shoes that fit your feet and running gait. Join a group. Find a time of day that suits you. I prefer mornings.

What struggles have you run into (no pun intended) in your running career?

So far in my “career,” nothing major. I have strained my illiotibial band and my Achilles tendon. A couple of times I have stopped running for about a month and walked instead.

Is there anyone specifically you look up to as a runner? My first inspiration was Terry Fox. I have run with Ryan Van Praet on occasion as his eyes. I have great for respect for anyone who gets out there and

runs. We all wave at each other.

Any one you would like to thank? I want thank God for giving me the health and ability to run. I would like to thank my Saturday morning running group for their encouragement and camaraderie. I would like thank Mr. Parr finishes his 50 kilometre birthday the “OCD Boys” for challenge. getting me hooked on endurance running.

Anything else you’d like to mention?

I run because I enjoy running. I enjoy the challenge of running longer distances and pushing my body to its limit.

Steve Parr is a supply teacher, who volunteers much of his time to the youth of Chatham Kent.

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teamprofiles

Brendan Van Herk

The Blenheim Blast Swim Team splashes off to a new season Submitted by Peggy L. Johnson, Photos by Jennifer Black The Blenheim Blast Swim Team is an incredible group of swimmers, families and volunteer coaches who support every level of competitive swimming, from the entry level to nationally ranked swimmers.

Head Coach John Van Herk leads our team of coaches: Elliott Blackshaw, Kristen Pegg, Jenny Tsharke, Praveen Pradhan, Byron Richardson and Gerry Pfaff. Together they coach our four groups of swimmers: Entry, Pre-Novice, Novice and Advanced Swimmers.

Our team is part of the St. Clair Erie Aquatic League, and we regularly compete with other teams across this swim region.

When swimmers are ready, they can also attend invitational meets, or chose to extend the swim season by competing in the long course swim season.

Whether you are learning to dive off the blocks, perform your first flip turn, or finesse your strokes to achieve a Western Ontario Swimming Association (WOSA) festival or national time standard, our coaches will be there to support you.

Last year, two of our swimmers – Brendan and Shania Van Herk – qualified with national times for the Long Course Junior Age group Championships in Winnipeg.

Back row, left to right: Emma Pegg, Kristen Pegg (coach), Grace Hansen, Gracin Black. Front row: Linnea Mattsson

15 year old Brendan qualified for ten events at the Winnipeg meet last summer. Brendan’s highlight at nationals was a bronze medal performance in the 50 metre backstroke, with four other swims ranking him in the top ten 14 year old men in our nation. Leading up to this meet, Brendan also had an amazing eight top ten finishes at the Long Course Ontario Provincial Championships in July, winning silver in the 400 metre IM and bronze in the 200 metre IM. Brendan also brought home four gold and one silver medal from the WOSA Long Course Championships in St. Catharines.

He is looking forward to the 2015 season.

Shania Van Herk – aged 17 – qualified with a national time in the 50 metre, 100 metre and 200 metre backstroke

Linea Mattsson

events. Shania also qualified for three swims at provincials, and posted five top finishes at WOSA. One of our other swimmers to qualify at the Provincial Festival level was 13 year old Grace Hansen, who also had two top ten finishes at WOSA. Other WOSA qualifiers included Gracin Black, Jill Clendenning, Grace Hansen, Delainey Johnson, Riley Johnson, Rain Pfaff, River Pfaff, Holly Reynolds, Shania Van Herk, Abigael Johnston, and Emma Pegg. Rain Pfaff won silver in the 50 metre backstroke, and had seven other swims in the top ten. Her brother River Pfaff had two top ten finishes at the meet as well.

Blenheim Blast alumni continuing their swimming careers at the University level include Justine Van Herk with the Guelph Gryphons, and Riley Johnson with the Laurentian Voyageurs.

Swimming is a sport based on personal bests, and can benefit your child in every aspect of personal fitness and health.

Come join us and be part of the Blenheim Blast Family!

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sportsfiles

Wallaceburg Figure Skating Club celebrates 60 years Submitted by Deb Dauws, Photos by Gillian King

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The Wallaceburg Skating Club is celebrating 60 years this season. The club will celebrate with the year end carnival on March 28th, 2015. After the show, a reception will be held at the Wallaceburg Museum auditorium for some catching up and reminiscing with friends. There will be an alumni number at the carnival and all former skaters are invited to join in. We are hoping for skaters from every decade to participate.

The club has seen thousands of skaters learn to skate through the years. Some have gone on to join ice shows – others competed nationally, while many achieved their goals within the Skate Canada test stream, and the majority enjoyed the thrill of Aislyn King skating and socializing with their skating family and friends. The Skating Club is one of the longest standing sport venues in Wallaceburg. It is still going strong regardless of many other activities being offered.

With dedicated volunteers and coaches, the club hopes to continue for many more years to come.

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sportsfiles JY JY Global GlobalInc.Inc.

Sydnye Gagner accepts scholarship to Oakland

A BATTERY? EEDNEED A BATTERY? Interview by SportsXpress, Photos submitted by Sydnye Gagner

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

prove that size doesn’t matter when you give your all “I have always been really tiny but I have never let that stop me from continuing to pursue my dreams…

This always been my goal – to be able to prove to the people that I am capable of representing my Country as well as my home town”.

Sydnye realizes she wouldn’t have been able to get this far on her own, and she is incredibly thankful for all those who have helped along the way.“I would like to give a huge thank you to my coach Frank Amante, and my team manager Rob Palombo, as well as my trainer at Athlete’s Fuel Colin Roeszler… Most of all, I really appreciate all the time and encouragement my parents and my grandparents have given me over the years, helping with driving me to practices and tournaments. They are my number one fans when I hit the pitch”.

teamprofiles

South Kent Lightning Midget AE

Not pictured: Wade Kosik

Submitted by Head Coach Jason Ulch On November 28th, the South Kent Lightning Midget AE entered an International Silver Stick qualifier in South Huron. They played five games in a three day span, going 4-1! They started off beating the Lambton Shore Predators 3-0 in a hard fought battle, and then got nipped by the Ilderton Jets, 3-2. South Kent came out strong in game three against Goderich, beating them 7-2! Winning this game placed South Kent second in pool B! On Saturday, they played Strathroy, who were first in pool A. They are two evenly matched teams, but South Kent came out on top, beating them 3-1 to move on the finals.

Finals On Sunday in the finals, they faced a very strong Mount Brydges team. South Kent was up 5-2 after the second period but penalty problems gave Mount Brydges an opportunity to come back. They were pressing hard but only managed two more goals, giving South Kent the 5-4 victory.

With this, South Kent won The Silver Stick Qualifier Championship! We now move on to the international Silver Stick in Pelham, Ontario, January 8th-11th. This Is South Kent’s first year in operation so to bring this championship home would be big for South Kent Minor Hockey. We will be facing teams from all over North America!

As a coach, I am very proud of this group of young men. The South Kent Lighting team clicked right from the start of the season, and has only showed improvement from there. We are very excited for the chance to win and be rated number one in North America in our division. We have a lot of work to do to prepare for this, and we believe if the boys go out and play hockey like the coaching staff knows they can, South Kent has a great chance to bring home the Silver Stick Trophy! Many

thanks to our team sponsor, GDF Suez, for assisting us in coming so far!

The best kind of team From my past experience, a team doesn’t have to have all the best players to be successful; it is more about having players who play the best together, and that is what South Kent has this season.

We have a bunch of boys who have been rivals between Ridgetown and Blenheim for a many years, and now with South Kent they have to play side-by-side on the ice!

One consistent thought among the group is “We want to win!”

They have put all their differences

aside and play for the love of the game.

After winning that championship game (which, for some kids, was the first time they have ever won a championship), seeing them celebrate was all worth the hours driving back and forth to arenas in all weather conditions, and why I love the game of hockey! One of my coaches overheard one player say, “I have never won a championship before; this is awesome!”

For this player, this is probably his last year of minor hockey. So to give him to opportunity to go out on top – well, there just isn’t much better than that! That is all the thanks I need for volunteering to be a coach in hockey.

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teamprofiles

Dresden Junior Kings Submitted by Dave Cameron, President of Dresden Junior Kings, Photos by Murray Melton The Dresden Junior Kings are from a small community in Chatham-Kent, and they have been playing junior hockey since 1960. They began playing in the Border City Junior B League with teams from Southwest Ontario and Detroit. From there to the Bluewater Junior C League and since 1971, they have been playing in the Great Lakes Junior C League. They are supported by the community and are run by elected volunteers annually. Several of these are alumni of the Junior Kings are giving back to their community.

Every year starts the same: as soon as the post season finishes, the next season begins, with player and coach evaluations, and fundraising within the community and surrounding area.

A few things have changed over the years – the arena was replaced in 1983.

Another change from the early years is the cost for the team to run for the season.

Years ago a few thousand dollars would suffice; now it is upward of $100,000.

When rostering a team, things have changed as well. Only one player can be

Top row left to right: Graham Smyth, Austin Bentley, Justin Delgado, Derek Shaw, Derick VanEvery, Tyson Kulich, Derek Daly, Justin Melo, Taylor Sisson, Daniel Tonietto.

Bottom Row left to right: Scott Tricker, John Montgomery, Ross Krieger, Wade Esselment, David Vergeer, Steven Funk, Will Tetzlaff, Macks Holmes, Kevin Ritzer.

16 – no one younger. Four overages (21 years old) are also permitted. Players range from high school to college, university, and those in the workforce.

Over the years, the Kings have had many players play at the University, SemiPro, Pro and NHL level – always calling Dresden the starting point of their career.

More important, they have learned how to become young men who will fulfill whatever life has planned for them.

Dennis Brewer and the future The 2014-2015 season started in February and March, with new Head Coach Don Johnson, General Manager Dennis Brewer, and Assistant General Manager Jason Badder travelling from arena to arena looking at potential new players. They put in long hours, trying to revamp and replace graduating players.

With tryouts and exhibition games, they

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picked a team by September 1st, 2014.

Throughout this whole process, the leadership team noticed that GM Dennis Brewer was having difficulty finishing projects and forgetting things that he used to handle with ease. On October 7, 2014 we learned that Dennis was very sick and hockey became a small part of life. As we prepared for our October 10 Friday night home game vs Blenheim, we heard the news that he had passed away. With very heavy hearts we played an emotional game, losing in overtime – a point for Dennis! Dennis was an integral part of the Junior Kings team, and he will be missed!

As of December 5, 2014, we have a record of 11 and 14. From here, we move on, trying to improve our hockey skills, but more important, our life skills to carry us through the rest of this season and into the future – wherever it may take us.

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teamprofiles

Wallaceburg Lakers

Quality HOME

A collaboration of the Wallaceburg Lakers and SportsXpress, Photos by SportsXpress

“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” – Liane Cordes The Wallaceburg Lakers are currently in a season of rejuvenation and growth.

Their mixture of young local talent and veteran players makes for a strong team.

This year, the Lakers are working towards the playoffs - a goal they see as possible with the strong group of players on the roster. To further show their newly-found ambition, the Lakers have changed their jerseys to a retro style – showing they truly are a new team.

The work ethic of the Lakers team is noticeable from start to finish. “They all work very hard together during the game and never give up until that final buzzer goes,” says Lakers’ secretary Mike Gyuricza. Several injuries this year

haven’t stopped the team from putting up a good fight every time they get on the ice. While missing several integral players, they show their fans that hockey is a team sport - not a one man show.

With so much community support, the Lakers organization knows the importance of giving back to their community. Each year they hold an annual teddy bear toss to collect stuffed bears to support programs at such as the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul.

This year the Lakers have also partnered with the Breast Buddies, holding special games and auctioning off their pink jerseys.

For more details on the game schedule or any other events involving the Lakers, check out their website at www. pointstreaksites.com/view/jrclakers/ home-page For those unable to be there in person, tune in to 99.1 ckxsfm for a live, play-byplay broadcast.

The Lakers organization would not be what it is today if it were not for the support of the many volunteers, sponsors and fans who show up to every practice and game. Thank you!

The Lakers in action.

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teamprofiles

Chatham Attack

Submitted by Bill Namink, Photo by Bill Namink Chatham Attack under 16 Boys is the only indoor soccer team in Chatham-Kent that is registered with the London and District Indoor Soccer League. Our team is a member of the Chatham Youth Soccer Association.

Much appreciation goes to Rob Bernardi and Mike Szabo for their involvement in the regular summer 2014 season as the Chatham Attack under 15 boys, who placed 3rd in the League at the L5 competition level. Their skill level is a direct result of hard work and commitment and love of the game.

It was through the continued interest of the boys and support of their families that we were able to put a team together and continue to play all winter at the BMO Centre in London. As we are an away team, we play two games every other Sunday, which help save in travel costs to London, as local teams there play every Sunday.

We started practices in September and October at the mini fields in Chatham,

until the weather became too cold.

Because of the speed of indoor games, players dramatically improve their speed in decision making during the game, and this enhances a team effort. It helps improve their skills and keeps them in top form. As they can now play all year around, their camaraderie remains close throughout the entire year. As the popularity of the game continues to grow, I am hopeful that someday an indoor facility can be made locally, to play this great game all year in Chatham-Kent.

Today, there is more Canadian youth playing soccer in Canada than all other sports combined. The love of the game is really growing fast, and it’s difficult to keep up with the demand of facilities.

Many European teams are now trying to make connections with Ontario clubs to scout Ontario talent. It is rumoured the BMO Centre will be increased by 50% next year. Indoor at the BMO Centre soccer games can be found at: indoor.ldysl.com.

Back row, left to right: Dorian Namink (trainer), Dave Drewery (assistant coach), Austin McGuigan (defence), Gabe Namink (goalie/striker/midfielder), Justin Maynard-Dreywer(goalie/striker/defence), Darko Borovicanin (striker), Charlie Schepanowski ( defence ), Bill Namink (manager).

Front row, left to right: Jarod Vannieuwenhuyze (defence), Diego DaSilva (midfielder), Brandon Baggio (striker), Liam Miller (striker), Ashraf Zaman(striker), Dylan Buchanan (defence/striker). Missing is Mitchel Buchanan (mid fielder/striker).

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

health&fitness

Run for your life, it depends on it Submitted by Mark Childs That, in a nutshell, sums up what the Defiance Running Club is about, and that is running – lots and lots of running, walking, and jogging. Our executive consists of a group of 15 like-minded individuals from a variety of different backgrounds with one common goal, and that goal is better health. Our members are a diverse bunch, ranging from just-offthe-couch novices to Tough Mudders and Tri-athletes, all sharing a love for running and walking. The term “running club” intimidates some folks, but you need not worry. We do not judge. We are your support team and we encourage inactive people to make our club their first step toward better health. We have nearly as many walkers in our club as we do run­ners and everyone goes at their own pace.

Although our club is located in Wallaceburg, we encourage people from the surrounding areas to join us for our

social runs and walks. The Defiance Running Club hosts the WAMBO River Run every August, drawing hundreds of runners, and our Jingle All the Way Run in December is an annual event that provides non-perish­able food products for local Christmas baskets.

Our club is passionate about what we do, and one of our main focuses is our youth program, which enables youth to become active at a level that best suits them. Our current youth program has over 4,000 participants, up from 550 last year. The youth program is Chatham-Kentwide and currently involves 18 schools, serving as the DPA (daily physical activity) at most schools. Students run or walk as much as they are able for an eight-week period. Defiance diplomas are awarded to all participants, documenting their achievement. The top two students at each school receive a $50 cash prize

“It all begins with a single step... in the right direction.” as well as an outstanding achievement award. There are also prizes for the top two students in all participating schools and we award the top two schools based on the average distance per student.

The Defiance Active Initiative, sponsored by RBC, provides runners and walkers in Chatham-Kent an op­portunity to contribute to our youth program at no cost to them. By logging each run/walk, on our easy-to-use Facebook page, RBC is donating a penny for every kilo­metre logged. We are closing in on 50,000 kilometres! Thanks to Travis Hooper with the 50,000 kilometres to go toward our youth goal of 100,000 kilometres Young or old, fit or unfit, we welcome everyone. It all begins with a single step... in the right direction.

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

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fromthesidelines

Mount Everest sunset

Ascending life’s mountains Submitted by Heather Geluk

From Country Chic to Diva in Down – Chatham Kent’s Heather Geluk shares how rural roots have led to Himalayan heights…

I remember dragging my red plastic sled up the hill, breaking trail through kneedeep snow. Gasping, I took the final few staggered steps to the summit of Mount Ridgetown. My legs were burning with exhaustion and I could feel my heart pounding through my hand-me-down snowsuit. I remember how much it hurt and how much focus it took. But I also remember the exhilaration of reaching a goal that my little eight-year-old self had persevered to attain. And so began my passion for climbing.

Almost 30 years later, perched on a ledge at 26,000 feet on the sheer icy face of Mount Everest in the Nepal Himalaya, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey that took me from my rural roots to the slopes of some of the highest mountains in the world. It’s hard to pinpoint one specific event or person that prompted this culmination of events. Rather, I think that what growing up in small-town Ontario instilled in me was an interest in people and a respect and passion for the outdoors.

My first job was at a local flower shop

on Ridgetown’s vibrant Main Street. It was there that I was taught firsthand the importance of community and of relationships, shared emotion, empathy and those little ‘extra’ touches that make all the difference.

This “small town” interest in people has inspired me throughout my climbing career on expeditions to Argentina, Peru, Nepal, Tibet, Tanzania, Iran, India and the Far East. Whilst the objective of each expedition is to reach the summit of a mountain, the journey to reach this objective is made richer by the people met along the way. Actions as simple as sharing a hot cup of tea, a hug at the end of a long day of climbing, a “high five” on the summit: these are the moments that have inspired me every step of the way from that hill in Ridgetown to my first job at the local florist, to the summits of some of the highest mountains in the world.

I’ve always found it fascinating to see how people carve a life out of the earth – maize farms in the rolling foothills of the Himalaya, fields of potatoes in Peru, cattle ranches in Argentina, acres of vineyards

in France. One of my most memorable expeditions was to climb Alpamayo in Peru. At the end of our expedition, we returned to the city of Huaraz where our expedition cook, Alfredo, a farmer by trade, introduced us to his family and we feasted on an elaborate dinner of potato, lamb and vegetables. Thinking back to our own vegetable garden growing up on our family farm, I could relate to the pride that Alfredo and his wife had in sharing their home-cooked meal. Even though I was in a foreign country, trying to communicate in a language so distant from my own with people I’d met only days before, I felt so close to home.

I remember studying the photographs taken by early explorers of mountains like Everest in geog-raphy classes at Ridgetown District High School. I never thought I’d see these places firsthand – they seemed part of another world, the realm of those who write textbooks.

Before I knew it I found myself saying yes to opportunity after opportunity and travelling to some of these far-flung places. Standing on the summit of Mount

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

Not your typical “foot selfie”

Lhotse in the spring of 2013, in the shadow of Mount Everest at nearly 28,000 feet, I couldn’t help but think back to those faded geography textbooks and wonder how life had come full circle. That faded photograph in a text book was now in living colour.

Many people ask, ‘What’s next?’ I spent this past year focusing on sharing my passion for the mountains with others. I led a team to climb the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro, raising nearly $50,000 for the charity Wellbeing of Women, which funds research into the health of women and babies. I traveled to Peru to climb Alpamayo and then to the Islamic Republic of Iran to climb Mount Damavand. In 2015 I hope to raise even more money for charity and return to the Himalayas.

Even though the memory of The Ridgetown Hill is a distant one, the lessons learned through my upbringing – the importance of community, of people, of respect for each other and the environment – shape my perspective of the world, and make me who I am today.

Heather Geluk – proudly Canadian!

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

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fromthesidelines

Jennifer Postma Interview by SportsXpress, Photo by Les Norris

How old are you? 32.

What is your hometown?

Morpeth.

What is your horse’s name?

Sexy Superstar, a.k.a. Harley, seven year old AQHA gelding.

How long have you been involved in Western Dressage?

I started taking lessons from Elaine Ward, Kirkridge Farm located near Brantford, Ontario in January of 2013, while I was primarily involved in Extreme Cowboy Racing. I wanted to improve my riding and I could see that a background in dressage could be very beneficial in that sport. I found Elaine when I was looking for dressage trainers who would be open to working with a western rider.

I called her up and discussed what my riding goals were and she agreed to work with me.

I actually never intended to compete in Western Dressage when I first started working with Elaine.

However, the more I learned about this discipline the more interested I became in showing dressage.

Harley and I competed in our first western dressage schooling show in

August 2014 hosted by Stellar Mount Stables in Port Lambton, Ontario followed by two more in September and October.

We then set out on a road trip to attend the Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) World Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma Nov. 1-2, 2014.

What is your favorite part?

Jennifer and Harley

the Amateur division at Level 2. We also won the All-Around Belt Buckles for Level 2 and Level 1!

My favourite part about Western Dressage is that there is a class for everyone. Beginners can start showing in the introductory classes which are walk/ trot, and then move up as they improve.

What are your goals for the next year?

What is the biggest challenge?

Anyone you would like to thank?

My biggest challenge is remembering to take my time and not rush things both while training and showing.

If you could spend a day training with anyone, who would it be?

I would love to spend a day with Lynn Palm. I was fortunate to meet her at the WDAA World Show in Tulsa and I hope that in the next couple years I can make a trip down to Ocala, Florida, to her facility.

What has been the highlight of your career?

At the 2014 WDAA World Show Harley and I won two World Championships in

To attend the 2015 WDAA World Show.

My coach Elaine Ward and my parents and friends for their support.

Anything else you’d like to say?

The discipline of Western Dressage is really starting to grow here in Ontario. I have been involved with setting up St. Clair Western Style Dressage Association of Ontario (SCWSDAO ) which is an official chapter of Western Style Dressage Association of Canada (WSDAC). We have held one club show in 2014 and have four more show dates set for 2015. Contact scwsdao@gmail.com or visit the website at www.stclairwesterndressage.com for more information. Come and see what Western Dressage is all about!

The W.I.S.H. Centre 519.354.5248 • Summer Activity Camps • Volleyball

• March Break Activity Camp • Birthday Parties (Themed)

• Banquet and Room Rentals • Ball Hockey 18

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

• Basketball • P.A. Day Programs

Dresden BIA ~ dresden.ca • Jan. 24th Dresden Kinsmen Club Annual Fish Fry & Dance with Toast & Jam • Feb 14th Kinsmen Valentine’s Dance

FRIDAY NIGHTS: • Lite Bite at the Dresden Legion $5 • Jr Kings Home Games 7pm

To add events to the calendar please contact: 519-683-4368

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

19

health&fitness

One tough mudder

The event is grueling.

Joe comes prepared for the event.

Submitted by Joe Perry, Photos by MJ Perry

The bonds formed out there in the mud will never be broken.

I survived another World’s Toughest Mudder (WTM) 24 hour competition. It wasn’t pretty but I got through it.

Unlike the previous two, this event was held in the Nevada desert at Lake Las Vegas. As expected, we started the race in shorts and some guys even went shirtless. However, no one expected a crazy sandstorm to hit in the middle of the night. Nearly 80% of the competitors dropped out when that wind picked up. Many suffered from hypothermia.

Visibility was poor. One obstacle got destroyed from the wind. The few of us still running were well bundled in full wetsuits, windbreakers, neoprene hoods, and gloves.

If the elements weren’t bad enough, the terrain was rough. We had 800 feet of elevation change per lap to deal with and the loose footing made it hard to keep a steady pace. One wrong step and we could have tumbled down a cliff.

New challenges As promised, the obstacles this year were harder as well. The course designers came up with new and difficult tasks to really challenge us. Penalties for failing obstacles included extra runs,

Joe hangs from the bars.

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

climbing walls, carrying cinder blocks, and a couple of long swims. This course punished us in many ways.

Unlike past WTMs, this venue had more water obstacles than normal. The obstacle that freaked out the most people was the insane 38 foot cliff jump followed by a long swim to the Joe comes prepared for the event.

other shore. One of my friends landed wrong and suffered a collapsed lung at this obstacle. Being the beast that he is, he refused to quit and finished the race.

Over the past three years, I’ve met a lot of amazing people at Tough Mudders. At this year’s final event, I had over 80 of my friends competing, including local pals Dave McCaughrin, Matt Richie, and Alex Richie. Although it’s an individual race, teamwork and camaraderie is as strong as ever and I was fortunate to spend time with a lot of my friends throughout the day. The bonds formed out there in the mud will never be broken.

Even though my swimming skills are nearly non-existent, I’m far too stubborn to quit. I brought the proper gear to survive the elements and I refused to stop. Somehow I managed to get in

60 miles (12 laps of the course) in 25 hours and 16 minutes. That was good enough for 55th place overall out of 1077 participants and first in my division. Of the 54 who finished ahead of me, none of them are older than me so I’m quite satisfied with that achievement. I was also the sixth Canadian. Over the past three WTM competitions I’ve covered 175 cumulative miles. I believe this puts me in the top 10 of those who attended all three events.

Future plans I made a few strategic mistakes this year that cost me some extra miles, but I’ll learn from that and use this to fuel my training for next year. I have no plans to slow down. Over the winter I’ll be training for the Boston Marathon and then I’ll conquer as many Tough Mudder courses as I can. On November 14, 2015, I will be back at WTM once again.

Everything else between now and then is just a stepping stone.

I want to thank all the people who have supported me on my muddy journey. Even though they often question my sanity, I get plenty of encouraging words from friends and family. My wife has been a real trooper and has taken thousands of pictures of me and my crazy friends.

If anything I’ve said inspires you, feel free to contact me. Tough Mudder has changed many lives including mine. It doesn’t matter if you have an athletic background. All you need is the desire to improve yourself and overcome your fears. The rest is easy – and oh so fun!

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Sunday 2:00 - 3:00 pm

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Friday 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Dresden

Sunday 1:30 - 3:00 pm

Ridgetown

Sunday 1:30 - 3:00 pm Thursday 3:30 - 5:00 pm

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Sunday 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Wheatley

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teamprofiles

CCHS Senior Boys Submitted by Alex Sluys, Photos by Patricia Sluys 2014 proved to be a great year of Chatham Christian High School (CCHS) Senior Boys volleyball team. The team finished second in the annual Red Feather Volleyball tournament after losing to Chatham-Kent Secondary School (CKSS) in the final, first in the LambtonKent Composite School (LKCS) tournament, and in Chatham Christian’s very own home tournament. The team made

playoffs with an 18-6 record, placing them first in the Lambton Kent Secondary School Athletic Association (LKSSAA) league.

The team The team shows solida rity. played LKCS in the semifinals, winning three District High School, the previous oppogames straight. The boys nents of last year’s SWOSSAA qualifying then played Blenheim District High School team. The Senior Boys went on to sweep in the first ever LKSSAA championship for Harrow 3-0, senior boys A something the team was very happy to volleyball. The have done in front of the home crowd, team swept advancing them to CCHS’s first ever Blenheim 3-0 Ontario Federation of School Athletic and advanced Association (OFSAA) Volleyball berth! to the SouthThe team spent four days in Welland, Western Ontario, competing against teams from all Ontario over the province, with multiple extra point Secondary games happening over the course of the School Athletic tournament. All in all, the Senior Boys team Association finished tied for 11th place in the province.

(SWOSSAA) Coaches Dale Lahey and Richard Koomans Finals. did a fantastic job in getting the boys The ready for this tournament. Though only one SWOSSAA player is over six feet tall, the entire team game was was able to compete against some of the played at home best teams in the province. It was a year against Harrow to remember.

It was a year to remember

The team celebrates.

The team in action.

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

fromthesidelines

The completion of the LambtonKent Community Sports Field will serve over five hundred kids in the area currently registered in minor sports (between soccer, baseball and Legion track) as well as the elementary feeder schools from Thamesville, Bothwell, DawnEuphemia and Dresden.

Thanks to all the donors we have reached 80% of our $540 000 goal!

1. Install backstop and sideline fencing Install player benches Install home plate Excavate and sub-grade infield Install sport sand base + compact Install Washington Ball Mix infield clay Fine grade 2. Mulch, re-grade amend topsoil, level and seed 3. Trillium Trail extension 4. Washroom & storage building 5. Item Area ‘A’ • new railing 6. Item Area ‘B’ • new railing 7. Asphalt running track 8. FIELD ‘A’ – Levelled, Seeded, Irrigated Soccer Pitch 9. FIELD ‘B’ – Levelled, Seeded, Irrigated Soccer Pitch

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress

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