Local Sports
Volleyball Success Highlights Busy Weekend For RDC Kings And Queens
This past weekend, both Red Deer College Volleyball teams were once again perfect. The RDC Queens Basketball team split the series with the SAIT Trojans, the Kings Basketball squad was shorthanded and dropped a pair of games and the RDC Kings Hockey team lost an exhibition game.
Queens Volleyball | Friday, Jan. 13 | Ambrose University
In Calgary, the RDC Queens defeated the Ambrose University Lions in 5 sets. After winning the opening set 25-16, the Queens dropped the next 2 sets (23-25 and 20-25). The RDC Queens maintained their composure, won the 4th set 25-22 and capped off the match with a 15-10 victory. Miranda Dawe finished with 17 kills, 1 service ace and 23 digs for the Queens. Queens Head Coach Chris Wandler liked the persistence and composure Friday. “We faced a motivated Ambrose team tonight which was important for us,” said Wandler. “We needed to get into a grind-it-out game. Throughout the match, we remained composed because we continued to focus on our process and the way that we play the game.” With the win, the Red Deer College Queens remain tied for 1st place in the ACAC Women’s Volleyball South Division with 24 points.
Queens Volleyball | Saturday, Jan. 14 | RDC
In a weekend rematch, the Queens swept the Lions in 3 sets (25-16, 25-14 and 25-20). For the Queens, McKenna Barthel finished with 7 kills, 1 assist, 2 service aces and 13 digs. With the win, the RDC Queens (13-3) share 1st place in the ACAC Women’s Volleyball South Division with Briercrest College and SAIT. All 3 teams have 26 points.
Kings Volleyball | Friday, Jan. 13 | Ambrose University
In Calgary, the Red Deer College Kings swept the Ambrose University Lions in straight sets (25-22, 25-16 and 25-12). For the Kings, Regan Fathers totalled 14 kills and 5 digs. Kings Head Coach Aaron Schulha liked the team’s effort and in particular the passing. “We were pretty solid tonight and our passing was very strong,” said Schulha. “In fact, our passing in this match was the best that it has been all season against a pretty good serving team.” The RDC Kings (13-2) retain the top spot in the ACAC Men’s Volleyball South Division with 26 points.
Kings Volleyball | Saturday, Jan. 14 | RDC
Following the Queens, the RDC Kings swept the Ambrose University Lions in straight sets
(25-15, 25-19 and 25-21). Matthew Lofren totalled 7 kills, 1 assist, 3 service aces, 6 digs and
1 stuff block for RDC. With the win, the Kings (14-2) have won 9 matches in a row and remain in 1st place in the ACAC Men’s Volleyball South Division with 28 points.
Queens Basketball | Friday, Jan. 13 | SAIT
In Calgary, the RDC Queens worked hard but dropped a 74-65 decision to the SAIT Trojans.
Maya Parker finished with 19 points, 3 assists and 9 rebounds for the Queens. Queens Head Coach Ken King wanted to see a consistent defensive effort in Saturday’s rematch. “I was pleased that that was no 3rd quarter lull,” said King. “But Saturday, we need to stick to our defensive plan and do it for a full 4 quarters.”
Queens Basketball | Saturday, Jan. 14 | RDC
In an afternoon contest, the Queens defeated the SAIT Trojans 80-49. It was one of the Queens best games of the season and they displayed a relentless work ethic. For RDC, Emily White finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 5 blocks. Queens Head Coach Ken King was pleased with the effort and in particular the defensive play. “We can look at the score and be happy that we scored 80 points, but I feel better that we held them to 49 points,” said King. “The defence that we played today is our biggest victory on the day. Our big thing today was to see 40 minutes of defence and the student-athletes did a really good job of that this afternoon.” The Queens (4-7) sit in 5th place (of 8 teams) in the ACAC Women’s Basketball South Division and will look to build on Saturday’s outstanding performance.
Kings Basketball | Friday, Jan. 13 | SAIT
With a shorthanded lineup due to injury and illness, the Red Deer College Kings faced the SAIT Trojans in Calgary. The Kings started strongly, eventually fatigue took over late and the Trojans won 89-79. Kings Head Coach Clayton Pottinger praised the strong effort of Matt Matear. “Matt was once again rock solid for us,” said Pottinger. “His level of consistency was there and he finished with 11 boards.” The Business Administration student finished with 14 points, 1 steal, 1 assist, 11 rebounds
and connected on 6-of-9 shots from the field. The RDC Kings remain in top spot in the ACAC
Men’s Basketball South Division with 16 points.
Kings Basketball | Saturday, Jan. 14 | RDC
In a weekend rematch, the undermanned RDC Kings dropped a home game to the SAIT
Trojans 91-87. With several student-athletes out of the lineup due to injuries, a few 1st year Kings got
valuable playing time. “Cody (White) played phenomenal in the minutes that he got and probably earned himself more time if he continues to play like that,” said Head Coach Clayton Pottinger. “Darryl (Broderick) played well and hit his 1st shot in his 1st ACAC game, a 3-pointer from the
corner.” Kai Greene finished with 20 points, 1 steal, 6 assists and 2 rebounds for the Kings. The RDC Kings (8-3) share top spot in the ACAC Men’s Basketball South Division with Medicine Hat College. Both teams have 16 points.
Kings Hockey | Saturday, Jan. 14 | Penhold Multiplex
In exhibition action, the Red Deer College Kings dropped a 4-1 decision to the University of Alberta (Augustana Campus) Vikings. Tyler Berkholtz scored on the power play for the Kings. The RDC Kings aren’t back in action until Friday, Jan. 27 when they face the SAIT Trojans in Calgary. In the meantime, the Kings will hit the ice often and partake in high intensity training to keep in game shape. In 18 games, the RDC Kings have 19 points and hold 5th place (of 8 teams) in ACAC Men’s Hockey.
Alberta
“A Really Special Place” – Why the Wild Rose Motocross Track is One of a Kind
This summer, as you wander between the breweries and activity centers located in southeast Calgary, pause for a moment – if you listen closely, you may hear the distant rumble of motocross engines as bikes of all sizes careen over jumps and around corners at the Wild Rose Motocross Track.
Located just off Blackfoot Trail in Southeast Calgary, the 88-acre park is backed by the Calgary skyline, a prime piece of land located just minutes from downtown. Founded in the 1960’s as the Blackfoot Motorcycle Park, the track has deep roots in the city of Calgary, and according to WRMA board member David Pinkman, “Few sagas can compete with the wild west history of Calgary’s Wild Rose Motocross Association and its hard-core motocross lovers.”
Photo Credit Eden Schell
In 1984, The Wild Rose Motocross Association (WRMA) was officially formed, and the Blackfoot Motorcycle Park became the Wild Rose. Acting as a major host for a number of national motocross events since the 70’s and nurturing some of Canada’s best professional riders to date, Pinkman argues the “course of Canadian motocross history may not have been the same but for this unique piece of dirt and hills.”
With 7 tracks available including the full-sized Main, East and Hill Tracks, as well as the Extreme Beginner, Mini, Pee Wee, and Enduro Tracks, Wild Rose welcomes riders of all ages and skill levels. “This is the only track of its kind in Canada,” says Michelle McCarthy, newest member of the WRMA board, “It’s right in the centre of the city; it’s got 3 big bike tracks, the smaller tracks and the enduro park. This is a really special place.”
Whether it be your first time on a bike or the day you’re finally going to clear that 15-foot tabletop, the track encourages everyone to come out and ride. “People want to see new riders,” says McCarthy, “they want to see the community flourish. Plus, dirt biking is really, really fun,” she laughs.
Photo Credit Eden Schell
Like countless other Canadian businesses, the Wild Rose Track has taken a hit due to COVID-19, with day pass riders and memberships being significantly down. Open year round – weather permitting – the track normally sees up to 30,000 visits per year. However, due to the pandemic, numbers are currently far lower as the park operates within capacity limits.
As a recreational park on city property, track management wanted to set an example for taking action to reduce the spread of COVID-19, responding rapidly to Alberta Government guidelines by implementing a number of new precautions and preventative measures. This includes constructing wash stations at every track, implementing paperless transactions and COVID-19 symptom screening upon entry to the park, as well as establishing an online scheduling system to limit the number of riders at the track at one time.
In the midst of the new normal, the park remains committed to growing and supporting the motocross community in Calgary and beyond, staying on top of updates that will allow them to return to racing and regular operation as soon as possible. While all spring and summer race series have been cancelled by COVID-19, the WRMA is actively monitoring pandemic updates with the goal of hosting a successful race series this coming fall.
To learn more about the Wild Rose Motocross Association, visit https://www.wildrosemx.com.
For more stories, visit Todayville Calgary.
Alberta
Alberta Juniors Choose Positive Path
Alberta Juniors Choose Positive Path
Everywhere there is gloom. Well, almost everywhere.
A welcome exception is the 15-team Alberta Junior Hockey League, which lost much of its gate revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic arrival at playoff time, and now waits for permission from Hockey Canada and Alberta Health Services to go ahead with its 2000-2001 season.
President Ryan Bartoshyk confirmed on Monday that his league is “in the process of drawing up our schedule right now. We’re aiming (to have teams on the ice) by Sept. 1 and we hope to get the season started by Sept. 18.” Any and all final decisions must meet with at least two levels of official approval, of course, but operators have expressed their confidence by agreeing to put in the work, recognizing that later starts (or no start) are still possibilities.
To an outsider, the clearest declaration of league independence is this: the schedule, with various possible opening dates pencilled in, is being drawn up for all 15 teams. This is most impressive when it is known that several franchises – no names provided by president Bartoshyk or any team spokesman – have expressed serious concern about the cost of business in the coming season.
We have lost at least one league camp for tryouts,” said a spokesman. “We know we’re going to lose more.”
Not included are the Blackfalds Bulldogs, who will replace the former Calgary Mustangs at the start of the 2021/2002 season. Bartoshyk was pleased to say “work on the new arena for Blackfalds is due to start this month.”
Among the established teams reported to have mentioned their problems outside of league meetings are the Canmore Eagles, but the team’s two captains and a pair of assistants have already been named for the coming season. At least a couple of promising signings have also been announced. As a result, pessimism has shrunk a great deal.
Also optimistic about the coming season are the Olds Grizzlys, whose attendance averaged well over 1,500 a game when they dominated Junior A ranks several years ago but dropped to about 600 a game last year. “This is a great sports community, a great place to be,” said club governor and vice-president executive Trent Wilhauk. “We know the fans will come back; they love their Grizzlys.”
Population of the community is slightly more than 10,000. “It’s a happening place when the team is going good.”
After wiping out last year’s playoffs and destroying some of the regular post-season increases at the gate, COVID-19 has continued to harm the AJHL, just as it has damaged so many other areas of the economy. “We have lost at least one league camp for tryouts,” said a spokesman. “We know we’re going to lose more.”
Those financial setbacks may have been dwarfed by the loss of some appealing playoff matchups. “Some of the teams that drew above-average numbers for us (Okotoks Oilers, Brooks Bandits, Sherwood Park Crusaders) didn’t have a playoff game before we had to stop,” Bartoshyk said. “They all had byes in the first round.”
Other teams with relative season-long success at the gate also missed money-raising opportunities. “It’s obvious that our league relies on corporate sponsorship and support at the gate,” Bartoshyk added, mentioning a handful of promising pending post-season clashes — Drayton Valley and Sherwood Park, the Whitehorse Wolverines and the Spruce Grove Saints, Camrose Kodiaks and Drumheller Dragons – that could not take place.
At this point, the day’s general feeling that the AJHL future remains bright surfaced again.
Said Bartoshyk: “We’re ready. We’ll do what is necessary.”
https://www.todayville.com/edmonton/hundreds-of-young-athletes-grow-more-anxious-by-the-day-acac-season-a-series-of-options/
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