5 WOLFPACK ATHLETES NAMED BC CAA ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS March 25, 2009
Posted by lread in WolfPack.add a comment
Dannielle Fauteux
Marleah Oginski
Being a standout in the classroom and on the field or court takes a lot of dedication. Three members of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s soccer team and two players on the WolfPack badminton team have been honoured by the BC Colleges Athletic Association. The five have been given BC CAA Academic Excellence Awards.
Keeper Marleah Oginski (Kamloops, BC), defender Cari Sutcliffe (Kamloops, BC) and forward Danielle Fauteux (Kamloops,BC) along with Brennan Arduini (Kamloops, BC) and Venita Colton (Kamloops, BC) were recognized for taking 27 credits of classes in 2007-08 and the first semester of 2008-09. They had a grade point average of over 3.5.
For Sutcliffe and Arduini, it’s the second straight year that they have received this honor.
Arduini led the way with a G.P.A. of 4.175 with 47 credits in the last year and a half while playing badminton and golf at TRU. “It’s great that the BC CAA also recognizes academic excellence,” he said “It has been more difficult to keep up the good grades with my courses being third year. There are also a lot of Labs involved.”
Arduini is in the Science program. “I’m doing research this semester along with 6 courses so it is very busy. Third year biology courses require a lot of big written reports and I spend a lot of time researching the literature.”
Colton had a G.P.A. of 4.051 taking 39 credits over the last year and a half in the second year of the science program. “Many students manage getting to the gym regularly while working and going to school,” she says. “This isn’t much different from what I do, although I won’t deny it can get tough trying to balance a job, school and as a Girl Guide leader on the side.”
Oginski is into the fourth and final year of a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in accounting. She has a G.P.A. of 3.931 with 30 credits. “It’s an honor to receive this recognition,“ she says. “As a student athlete, it is nice to know that both areas, school and athletics are valued. I found it quite challenging juggling soccer and school. Both demanded a lot of time and effort as I wanted to give 100 % to both.”
Not only was Fauteux balancing soccer and school, but she has an interior design business on the go as well. “I’m very excited about finishing my(Science) degree. It has been a long journey.” She states. “It’s nice to be recognised and rewarded for my hard work. I am definitely not a natural straight-A student. I have to work really hard to keep up my GPA.“
As for how she did it, “Soccer definitely fills up the schedule which demands efficient time management. But it really helps relieve pressure and stress to be able to run around for a couple of hours after a long day at school. I say it’s a healthy distraction.”
Fauteux had a GPA of 3.835 with 36 credits taken over the last year and a half.
As for being role models, Oginski says “I think that its something to strive for. To not only be a part of the school’s athletic program, but to also excel in the classroom.”
“I don’t think I’m a role model to my team,” explains Arduini “But I hope that this shows younger people that you can achieve in school and still play sports.”
While Colton says “ A role model for my team mates? Never considered it. For the community? Sure but not for this. I prefer to think of myself as a role model to the five and six year old “Sparks” in the Girl Guide unit I help out with.”
For Fauteux, she looks at the honor as a big pat on the back. “You don’t always get rewarded for the good things that you do. So, it feels really great that the tail end of my degree was a success and my hard work paid off.”
The five athletes will be given certificates of recognition at the WolfPack Athletics Award Banquet, April 9 th at the Campus Activity Center.
Space Still Available For WolfPack Benefit Soccer Camp March 24, 2009
Posted by lread in Women's Soccer.add a comment
Excitement is starting to build for the Thompson Rivers University Women’s soccer teams benefit youth soccer clinic. The WolfPack will be holding a clinic for minor soccer players April 5 th at Hillside Stadium. The proceeds of which will go entirely to the Y Women’s Emergency Shelter.
“We have a number of our players committed to helping out,” says WolfPack co-captain Shantelle Cooper, who’s idea it was to help the Shelter.
“There are plenty of spots still available,” stated TRU Sports Information Officer Larry Read. “So far, we 43 players from U-5 to U-15 signed up. I think a few parents and coaches are going to wait a little longer to sign up. We hope not because we want to cap the numbers at a small level.”
The clinic is open to both house and Rep players. Boys and Girls from U-5 to U-10 will be going from 10 am to Noon on April 5th. U-11 to U-18 players will go in the second session. That session is from noon-2 pm.
“I’m sure that every one will get something out of the clinic,” says Cooper, who will have the likes of both Current head coach Tom McManus and former head coach Eric Schweizer on hand to help out. There will also be members of the Men’s team in attendance as well.
“We are so pleased that the WolfPack Women want to help us,” said Y Women’s Shelter Executive Director Sheila Loranger. “When women of any age group support other women change happens. Sometimes women are so competitive they forget about helping others. Obviously, your (TRU) soccer players are great examples of outstanding women of tomorrow.”
The Y shelter has been around since March of 1974 and operates a number of program for women and children who have been the victim of abuse. 100 per cent of all the money raised at the clinic will go to their organization.
The April 5 th clinic is by donation. But it is recommended that each child bring 10 dollars. You can register your child by calling Larry Read at (250) 377-6117 or email lread@tru.ca
The WolfPack would like to thank the City of Kamloops Parks and Recreation Department for their assistance in putting the clinic on.
Baseball Brings Out Brooms and Sweeps Cubs March 23, 2009
Posted by lread in Baseball.add a comment
Quick Riddle: what do the product of the South Okanagan and the play of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack baseball team this weekend have in common? Both the grapes and the WolfPack were ’sweet’.
The WolfPack went into Oliver and downed the Okanagan College Cubs in four exhibition games. After sweeping on Saturday (Mar 21), the ‘Pack downed the Cubs 6-1 and 8-2 to finish their spring pre season record at 10 and 8.
In the first game, TRU broke open a 1-1 tie scoring five runs in the top of the 11 th inning. The winning run was scored on an error while the others were scored on four solo home runs. Matt Walker (outfielder, Bowen Island, BC), Kyle Dhanani (shortstop, Blaine, Wash), Greg Cros (infielder/pitcher Montpellier, France) and Bryan Burston (catcher, Kelowna, BC) all had the round trippers.
Jordan Lane (rhp, Kamloops, BC) got the win coming on in relief of starter Bryan Mahon (rhp, Fruitvale, BC). Mahon went six innings giving up five hits. Lane went 5 innings with six strikeouts.
In the nightcap: Mike Tomlinson (rhp, Campbell River, BC) was the winner going four innings, surrendering two runs on three hits. he struck out five and gave up a single walk.
Offensively, Ryan McFadden (infielder, Oliver, BC) thrilled his hometown fans with a homer and two RBI going 2 for 4. Mark Isolato (3b/2b, Thunder Bay, Ont) also calls Oliver his hometown now. He was 2 fof 4 with a double and two RBI. Kyle Dhanani (shortstop, Blaine, Wash) continued his torrid pace at the plate going 2 for 2 with a double and a home run.
The WolfPack will open their Canadian College Baseball Conference regular season next weekend (Mar 28-29) against the defending league champion Prairie Baseball Academy Dawgs of Lethbridge Alberta. All four games will be played at the Canada Games Field at McCarthur Island. Saturdays double dip starts at 1 pm, Sunday’s twin bill has an 11 am start time.
TRU Athletes/Coaches/Teams Finalists for Kamloops Sports Council 2008 Awards March 22, 2009
Posted by lread in WolfPack.add a comment
Shantelle Cooper
Thompson Rivers University Athletics will be well represented when the Kamloops Sports Council hands out its awards next month (April 18). The awards go to athletic achievements in the year 2008.
The WolfPack have all three teams nominated in the “Team Of The Year” category: the men’s volleyball and men’s golf programs along with the women’s soccer team.. The Volleyball team, under the direction of Pat Hennelly were the first team from TRU to win both a Canada West and Canadian Interuniversity Sport medal. They captured bronze medals in both the Canada West final four playoffs and the CIS Finals in Laval, Quebec.
Playing for the first time in a decade, the men’s golf team captured not only the BC College Athletic Association silver medal, but also won the Canadian College Athletic Association gold medal in Prince Edward Island. Coach Bill Bilton Junior, along with Pat Hennelly, are finalists for the Coach of the Year award. The other is baseball’s Sean Wandler of the Kamloops RiverDogs.
The women’s soccer program is being recognized for their first place finish in the BC College Athletic Association regular season. They wound up with the silver medal not only in the BC CAA finals but at the Nationals (hosted by TRU). They lost to Langara College Falcons late in the match. WolfPack Head Coach Eric Schweizer says “I am happy for the girls as they had one of the best seasons in recent years. The hard work, leadership, talent and ‘never say die’ attitude brought tem within a hair of winning a national championship. It was fun to be part of that success.”
“It is great to be considered one of the top teams in Kamloops,” says Hennelly “We’ve had good attendance the last couple of years. I think people know we are proud to represent the city and TRU playing the highest level of Volleyball in the Country. Hopefully they’ll be cheering us on when we host the 2010 CIS Nationals next March.”
Gord Perrin of the WolfPack men’s volleyball team is a finalist for Male Athlete of The Year. Perrin was not only CIS rookie of the year, but he was also a CIS All rookie team selection. Perrin was also named to the CIS Finals All star team, named to Canada’s National Junior Men’s Volleyball team and was selected the Top Blocker at a NORCECA tournament in El Salvador. His competition are basketball player Kelly Olynyk (son of TRU Athletic Director Ken) and Olympic shot putter and defending male athlete of the year, Dylan Armstrong.
Soccer player Shantelle Cooper is a finalist for Female Athlete of the Year. Cooper was named to the BC CAA Allstar team, was an All-Canadian selection and the BC CAA Player of the Year. She is up against SFU wrestler and former winner Miranda Dick, and Olympians Sultana Frizzell (shot put) and Catharine Pendrel (mountain biking). Pendrel won the honor last year.
“This is a great honor for all our teams, coaches and athletes,” says Athletic Director Ken Olynyk. “We are proud that the community is recognizing their achievements. We are all proud that they have been chosen finalists in their respective catagories .”
The awards will be handed out as part of the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet, April 18 th at the TRU Campus Activity Center’s Grand Hall.
WolfPack Baseball Loses Back End Of Twinbill With Big Bend March 19, 2009
Posted by lread in Baseball.add a comment
WolfPack Player hit by pitch
The winning streak was short lived for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Baseball team. After beating the Big Bend Community College Vikings 4-1 in the opener of a doubleheader, the WolfPack fell 4-3 to the Vikings in the nightcap this afternoon (Mar 18).
“We played really good in the first game,” said WolfPack head coach Ray Chadwick. “But in the second, we ran into problems in the sixth inning. We failed to get an out on a bunt play which loaded the bases. Then the ball came to the pitcher who threw home for the out. But, because we haven’t been outside that much–our execution was off and the run scored. That put runners at the corners. The next man up stroked a hit to right field and that cost us the game.”
Mike Juarez(rhp, Calgary, Alta), the second of four pitchers TRU used in the ball game was tagged with the loss. he hurled two innings, giving up three hits, two runs, a walk and had a strikeout. He came on in relief of starter Danny Moore (rhp, Victoria, BC). Moore tossed three innings surrendering two earned runs, walking one and striking out two.
The WolfPack, who now fall to 6 and 8 in pre season, got big performances from Brock Stewart, Kalen Kirkpatrick and Chris Clark at the plate. Stewart (Catcher/Outfielder, Penticton, BC) was 1 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI. Kirkpatrick (Infielder, Prince George, BC) was 1 for 3 with an rbi, a run scored and a walk. While Clark (Outfielder/Pitcher, Prince George, BC) was 0 for 2 with a sacrifice fly and a run scored.
The WolfPack were scheduled to open their Canadian College Baseball Conference season this weekend at home to Kwantlen Polytechnic Eagles of Surrey, BC, Prairie Baseball Academy Dawgs of Lethbridge Alta and Okanagan College Cubs of Kelowna, BC. But, due to poor field conditions the games have been cancelled.
TRU and Okanagan will try and get two games in this weekend–either at the Canada Games Field in Kamloops, or most likely in Penticton and Oliver BC. Should the games go in Kamloops, the start times on Saturday and Sunday (Mar 21-22) will be 1 pm.