Scoreboard

St. Mary's star swimmer

   

Chris Druiven, 18, is a born leader on the St. Mary's swim team.

   

     St. Mary's has a history of having a strong basketball and volleyball program, and now, thanks to Chris Druiven, a post grad student and veteran member of the swim team, they will be recognized in the water as well. Druiven, an 18 year old student at St. Mary's secondary school and 5th year member of the Crusaders swim team has had an outstanding start to the season with 8 first place finishes in 10 races.

     While there is no actual captain of the St. Mary's swim team, Chris takes it upon himself to be a leader. "I feel as if I am looked up to because I have a lot of experience and skill to offer and I feel as if I do help out my fellow members of the swim team" says Chris. Even though Chris has only been swimming for 6 years, he has the sport in his blood. Chris's dad, and biggest inspiration in the water, was a provincial and national level swimmer, as well as water polo player.

    Though it may seem Druiven was destined to be a swimmer from the very start, he did have some obstacles to over come. When Chris was 10 he was diagnosed with leg perthes disease, which is a lack of blood flow to the hip bone and as a result the bone dies. Chris explains that "my hip bone deteriorated and I was hospitalized for a couple months. I had to go through traction, surgery, and had to wear a double cast for a couple months. My hip was broken and dislocated."

    Since then, Chris has swam for a club swim team as well as a triathlon team. He has many accomplishments including representing St. Mary's in OFSAA druing his grade 10 season, competing in the Jr boys relay, Medley relay, and freestyle relay. 

    Chris is currentally completing his grade 12+, or "victory lap", at St. Mary's and hopes to swim in post secondary school at Laurier University or Ryerson University. While Druiven has intentions to continue to swim, when asked if he has any asperations of one day going to the Olympics he replied with "none what so ever."   

Druiven during his Individual Medley first place finish race earlier this season. 

Highland's Girl's Soccer Team Wins Tournament Undefeated

By Ian Clarke

Last week, Highland's grade 9 girl's soccer team competed in a board wide tournament. The team started off the tournament on a good note with a 1-0 win over Ancaster. The girls then went on to play a hard fought game against Westdale which resulted in a 1-1 tie. The girls ended the day very strong with an impressive 7-0 win over MacNab. Undefeated, the team advanced to the second day of competition where they began with a scoreless tie to Waterdown after a tough game was played by both teams. The girls then played their final round robin match where they beat Westmount 2-0. The team then advanced to the semi-finals where they met Glendale in an exciting game where Highland came out on top with a score of 2-0. That put the team in the finals where they would meet Waterdown, a team they had played earlier and tied 0-0. The final was an impressive game with fantastic game from both sides. Highland scored the first goal and just needed to defend to win the game. Highland played great defence to keep Waterdown from scoring and the game ended with Highland's single goal winning them the tournament undefeated.

Throughout the whole tournament, the team scored 14 goals altogether. Alison Mitro scored 7, Adrienne Madden scored 2, and Megan Lee, Kristine Dzikic, Laura DeCoste, Stephenie Hillsley, and Alex Johnston scored 1 each.

The team consists of Mikayla Marsall(G), Laura DeCoste(D), Kristine Dzikic(D), Kaitlyn Pansegrau(D/M), Megan Lee(D/M), Adrienne Madden(D), Alison Mitro(F/M), Clare McClung(F/M), Margaret Short(M), Stephenie Hillsley(M), Vanessa Clark(F/M), Megan Bordi(F/M), Miranda Jurilj(G), Nicole Hughes(M), and Alex Johnston(F/M). The team is coached by Bob Gardiner and Mark Lane.

Patriots Defeat Highland 14-9

By Bonnie Chen

Orchard Park has raised their record to 3-1 for this Sr. Football season. While playing on home ground, Mathew Kit scored the first touchdown of the game. Highland soon returned the touchdown making it tied until Kit ran into the end zone for the second time. The Patriots also delivered great returns by wide receiver, Matt Pettie. During the second half of the game Highland came close to tying Orchard Park, however, O.P's offensive tackle, Nikolas Cucuz made an astonishing fumble recovery by battling Highland's quarterback for the ball. Cucuz said, "I watched them run the counter all game so I expected it. I saw their running back fumble just as I was about to hit him so I fell to the ground to get the ball for my team."
The Patriots proved their determination on the field today and have unquestionably showed their fans and family members their love for the game.
Cucuz also stated: " The lost on Monday was the best thing for the team. We learned that we weren't going to run over everybody and that we needed to battle in practices. Also, fighting every play if you're involved or not, and working for your teammates across the field or on the bench."

Watch slideshow of the game. Click here.

Orchard Park's next game is on the 16th at Ivor Wynne Stadium.

Westdale Cross Country

Westdale continues to have sucessful season.

By Stephanie Teodoridis

Westdale Secondary has been competing at meets and is in the thick of the running season. So far, the team has traveled to three meets. The junior girls team have won two of of these meets overall in their category. The team consists of Chelsea Mackinnon, Jessica Witt, Meg Inman, Catherine Howell and Jasmine Keilbor. Individually the Westdale team have had top ten finishes. This includes Chelsea Mackinnon finishing first and second in her races, and Rui Xu running for the midget boys, finishing in first at the Bulldogs meet, second at HAWK's meet, and third at the BOYD meet. The senior boys team finished fifth overall in their category at the Bulldogs meet. The team is continuing to practice six times a week, and is currently preparing for cities next wednesday.

- Stephanie Teodoridis is a grade nine student at Westdale Secondary School.

Girls Field Hockey: STM Knights 2, St. Jean de Brebeuf Braves 3

Knights lose to first place team

By Marina Stanidis

Both teams fought hard and played well but it was the 1st place Braves who ended with the victory.

Next game for STM is October 6th vs Cardinal Newman.