UNews - Canada West Championship

Wideen, Slomp earn Athlete of the Week honours

trevor.kenney — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 21:08:36 +0000

Tiffany Wideen and Scott Slomp were named Pronghorn Subway Athletes of the Week following weekend Canada West athletics action.

A fourth-year centre on the Pronghorns women's rugby team, Wideen led the Pronghorns to a third place finish at the Canada West Championship tournament, earning her recognition as the female Athlete of the Week.

Wideen scored a team high 21 points in the Horns two games. In addition to kicking the ball well all weekend, for both points and field position, Wideen also led the Horns' defensive effort.

In the club's heartbreaking 29-18 semifinal loss to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Dinos, Wideen kicked two penalty goals and converted one of the Horns two tries on the day. On Sunday, in the third place game, Wideen scored one try and hit four converts to lead the Horns to a 33-22 victory over the UBC Thunderbirds.

On the men's side, Slomp, a fourth-year defender, provided fantastic defence and exceptional leadership for the Horns, who lost both games on the road this past weekend.

Slomp has played every minute of every game since transferring from Lethbridge College after one season and in 13 games this season he has recorded five shots on goal.

Horns hosting defending Canada West champs to open season

trevor.kenney — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 22:39:53 +0000

Following the best season in school history in 2011-12, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s hockey team took a step back last season and missed the playoffs. With a veteran laden roster set to return this season, the team looks to move back into the playoff picture.

A total of 19 players are returning from last season, although the ‘Horns have lost a good portion of their leadership group with the graduation of captain Ashley Beattie and Amy Van Buskirk. While both blueliners made great contributions to the program, the back-end is in good hands with senior Glenda Edie and fourth-year defenders Courtney Minor and Katie Mucha.

Goaltender Crystal Patterson will play a key role in any success the Horns women's hockey team has this season.

The returning goaltending tandem of Crystal Patterson and Shauntelle Williams give the Pronghorns a solid one-two punch in net. Patterson, a 2011-12 Canada West first team all-star, has carried the load the last two seasons and will look to replicate her stellar 2011-12 season. After leading the conference with six shutouts in 2011-12, she did not record one last season but had solid numbers with a 2.31 goals-against-average and 0.917 save percentage.

Despite being one of the lowest scoring teams in the conference last season, the Pronghorns possess a group of talent forwards and will look to score by committee. Megan Bailey had a breakout season last year and her team leading 16 points tripled her output from the previous campaign.

Third-year forward Kirsten Reeves led the ‘Horns last season with 12 goals, putting her in a tie for third in the conference, and she will be leaned on heavily for production again this season.

2011-12 Canada West rookie of the year Sadie Lenstra will look to rebound from an injury plagued 2012-13 campaign. After leading all Canada West rookies in scoring, Lenstra missed more than half of the season last year and never really found her stride.

Sarah Spence will be another forward to watch for the ‘Horns this season. Spence had a solid rookie season last year, registering 13 points, and will be counted on to take another step forward.

With seven of their first eight games at home to start the year, the ‘Horns have a great opportunity for a fast start.

The UBC Thunderbirds will not sneak up on the competition in 2013-14. Coming off an improbable season which saw the ‘Birds go from one regular season win in 2011-12 to a 17-7-4 regular season record, a Canada West Championship and a fifth-place finish at the CIS Championships in 2012-13, UBC will be the number one target in the conference.

Back between the pipes is Second Team All-Canadian Daniel Dube, while Second Team Canada West All-Star Christi Capozzi and Sarah Casorso will anchor the back end. Up front Second Team Canada West All-Star Tatiana Rafter, along with Rebecca Unrau, Stephanie Schaupmeyer, and Nicole Saxvik will expected to lead the charge offensively.

Keep your eye on towering newcomers Kathleen Cahoon (6’1) and Hannah Heisler (6’0) at forward, while fellow rookies Devon Morrison and Stephanie Payne could have an immediate impact on the blueline.

Reigning CIS and Canada West Coach of the Year Graham Thomas enters his second year behind the bench and is eager to prove last year was not a fluke.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena both Friday and Saturday nights. Both games will also be webcast on www.canadawest.tv, home for all Canada West webcasts.

Horns' Millman always had U of L on his mind

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 20:56:58 +0000

Peter Millman’s track career began with him trying to run over hurdles as fast as he could. Today, Millman could just hurl them out of the way and waltz down the track – he’s clearly found his niche.

“I thought I was going to be a hurdler in Grades 6 through 8 and honestly, was really bad, and it was sort of embarrassing for my dad,” laughs Millman, whose father Paul coached track at the provincial and national level. “So I started throwing the discus in Grade 8, won provincials my second year and that’s basically where my throwing career began.”

Ready to embark on his second year of studies at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Millman is already a known commodity on the Canadian Interuniversity Sport track and field scene. That will happen when you win gold and silver medals in your first Canada West Championship meet and are named Canada West Rookie of the Year – and that was just the beginning.

Millman, 19, spent the summer racking up personal best throws and more accolades as he claimed three medals at the Canadian Junior Track and Field Championships. The Truro, N.S. product won gold in the shot put and silver in each of the discus and hammer throw events. He was then named to Canada’s Pan American Junior Championship team and competed in Medellin, Colombia at the end of August, qualifying for the finals of the hammer throw event and improving his Pan Am ranking from 10th to seventh position.

Peter Millman prepares to throw the shotput during the Pan American Junior Athletic Championships.

“Coming here and focusing on throwing and training with Larry Steinke, I believe opens everything up for me,” says Millman, who eyes world championship and Olympic appearances in his future. “I had opportunities to go to the United States but to me, it looked like an athlete factory down there and with Larry, it’s one-on-one focussed training designed to get you to the next level.”

The U of L didn’t have to spend a lot of time recruiting Millman, he was essentially in the family from the time he took his first training trip to Lethbridge in his Grade 10 year.

“I tried to convince my parents to let me move out here in Grade 10 and just start training with Larry but that wasn’t going to happen,” he says. “I had chosen the U of L by Grade 10, it was always where I was coming.”

The draw of course is head coach Steinke, leader of the national throws program and the mentor to Olympians Jim and Heather Steacy. He’s been mining talent from Truro for years, having previously brought Kate Forbes and Jonathan Doucette (now the coach at Dalhousie ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ) to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Along with Millman came Kayla Gallagher (last year’s CIS gold medallist in weight throw) and Montana Forsyth. In the fall, Millman says his dad will bring another high school group to Lethbridge for a week of training, possibly laying the foundation for future throwing prospects attending the U of L.

“The thing about Larry is that his programs are so individually based and he’s so knowledgeable about track, even outside of throws events, he knows the sport so well,” says Millman. “He understands what you need in terms of lifting, really everything within your training, he sets it up. Everybody has their own program focused on what they individually need to develop.”
Millman has changed his academic focus this fall, moving away from international management and focusing on history. He admittedly struggled last year and looks to return to the strong classroom performances he put in while in high school.

“I wasn’t going to force myself to study something I didn’t really want to do,” he says of the management vein he tried to follow in the shadow of father’s career (he runs an international student recruitment program in Nova Scotia). “I want to take something where my interests lie and I’ve done that this year. I really like the courses I’m in this semester so I hope things go a lot better.”

His competitive goals are enhanced this year as he looks to build off his rookie success as well as the summer experience he gained internationally.

“Hopefully, I want to medal this year at the CIS Championships. I had such a great outdoor season with the shot, I hope it transfers to the indoor season,” he says. “After that, theoretically the NACAC Under-23 (North America Central America and Caribbean) Games are a possibility. I’m still pretty young and would have another shot at it in two years but it’d be great to make that team.”

GET THE FACTS

• Millman says he still has an autograph from former Pronghorn thrower and Olympian Jim Steacy on his bedroom wall back home in Truro from his initial visit to Lethbridge in Grade 10

• Millman competes in each of the discus, hammer/weight and shot put events but says, “I’m starting to think that maybe I have more potential in the shot put.”

• Millman has a younger sister in Grade 12 who he describes as a “genius”. She also throws hammer and is looking at attending an Ivy League school in the eastern United States

• Millman placed fifth in shot at the Pan American Junior Athletic Championships, while Horns teammate Kayla Gallagher won bronze for Canada in the hammer throw

Langevin takes year leave

trevor.kenney — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:25:41 +0000

On the heels of a season that saw an end to a six consecutive Canada West Championship run, 12-year ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's rugby head coach Neil Langevin has announced that he will take a year leave from his head coaching duties.

Former Pronghorn and long-time assistant coach JJ Ondrus has been named the interim head coach for the 2013 season. While Langevin will not be the head coach next season, he will stay on as an assistant coach.

"Neil has done a great job not only developing the student-athletes in his time but also his coaches," says Executive Director of Sport and Recreation Services, Sandy Slavin. "JJ will do a great job, and having Neil around to help with the transition is an asset and will also free him up to concentrate on other areas of the program."

Langevin, the architect of the 'Horns most successful athletic program, has been the head coach since its inception in 2000 and led the Horns to three consecutive national titles from 2007-2009, in addition to the six consecutive conference titles. The 'Horns also medaled on two other occasions at the CIS Championships, earning a silver medal in 2003 and a bronze medal in 2006.

Twice named the Canada West coach of the year (2002 and 2009), Langevin was also named the CIS coach of the year in 2009.

Over the 12 years, Langevin compiled a 41-21-0 conference record including a 22-game conference winning streak that spanned more than three full seasons.

Internationally, Langevin coached Canada's National Team to a fourth place finish at the 2006 World Cup. He also spent time as the head coach with Rugby Canada's National U20 Women's team.

"The challenge to contend for a national title every year has become difficult as I have two active boys with increasingly busy schedules and a full-time job," says Langevin of his decision to take a year leave. "JJ will bring her own ideas and strengths to build the program back to a national contender. I am proud of her and am confident in her abilities."

Ondrus began her Pronghorn career as a women's soccer player in 1997, playing three seasons, before moving to rugby. She was part of the inaugural women's rugby team in 2000. She finished her fifth year of athletic eligibility in 2001 when the Horns captured their first win against UBC in the Canada West bronze medal game.

Ondrus has been coaching with the program since her graduation. She's coached for over 10 years in the Southern Alberta High School Rugby League, most currently at Winston Churchill High School, where she teaches physics.

She has also travelled as a coach with two international high school rugby tours, one to England/Scotland (2006) and one to Wales (2010). Ondrus was an assistant coach for Rugby Alberta Senior and U23 Women at Rugby Nationals.

"I've been with the program since it started in 2000, so it is near and dear to my heart," says Ondrus. "I am very excited for my new role and cannot wait to bring my energy and ideas to the table. Neil has set the bar pretty high, but I know, as he does, that I am ready!"

The 2013 Canada West rugby schedule has yet to be released but the 'Horns will begin training camp in late August.

Horns rugby bolsters lineup

trevor.kenney — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:13:18 +0000

The five-time Canada West champion ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women' s rugby team has retooled for the 2011 Canada West season with the addition of six new recruits, five of which come to the 'Horns with national team experience.

Head Coach Neil Langevin welcomed Cassandra Orr, Bailey Campbell, Sarah Gordon, Ashley Delaney, Kayla Moleschi and Meghan Wellis to cmapus this week. Orr, Campbell, Gordon and Delaney all represented Canada this summer with the Under 20 squad coached by Langevin, while Moleschi has suited up with the Canada U20 and Senior Sevens side.

Orr comes to the Horns from the highly successful Vulcan Country Central High School squad that won the South Zone title and was a provincial finalist.

"Cassandra is the fittest rugby player in Canada and will benefit from a great work ethic," says Langevin. "Her determination and ability to score tries will be a benefit for the Horns."

Also a member of the Country Central High School team in Vulcan, Campbell, a fly half and centre, makes the trek down Highway 23 to Lethbridge.

"Bailey Campbell has been part of a great program in Vulcan under the coaching of John and Angie Seaman," says Langevin. "Her patience and defensive ability will be great building blocks as she develops at the university level."

Gordon, who can play both scrum half and fly half positions, comes to the 'Horns from Surrey, B.C. In addition to playing with the U20 Canadian team, Gordon has also suited up for the BC U18 squad.

"Sarah Gordon is a smart rugby player who is a student of the game," says Langevin. "With increasing physical capabilities she is sure to be an integral part of the Horns for the next five years."

Delaney also comes to the Horns with provincial team experience, having played with the Alberta U18 side this year. The Calgary native can play both at prop or lock.

"A highly recruited youngster, Ashley combines size and athleticism," says Langevin. "She will be counted upon to play in the tight five and to improve her physical presence on the field. As she does improve she will be a headache for other Canada West teams for a long time."

A member of the BC U23 team that captured the National Championship this summer, Moleschi joins the 'Horns program with an impressive resume. The fullback has seen time with both the U20 Canadian team and with the senior Sevens.

"Kayla has performed well for Canada U20 in the past and was an integral part of BC U23 program that won the National Championship this summer," says Langevin. "She is poised to move further up Rugby Canada's ladder and will be an exciting part of the Horns this year."

Another fullback, Wellis comes to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge via White Rock, B.C. While she is the lone recruit without national team experience, Wellis has been a member of the highly successful BC U18 team.

"Wellis has been part of successful high school and provincial programs," says Langevin. "Her stride and attacking capabilities are large and she couples this with fierce determination."

The 'Horns begin their quest for a sixth consecutive Canada West Championship Sept. 23 in Vancouver versus the UBC Thunderbirds. The 'Horns will host two home games this season, Oct. 2 versus the Alberta Pandas and Oct. 13 versus the Calgary Dinos.

Kelly leads pool effort with two medals

trevor.kenney — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:20:01 +0000

Jessica Kelly won a pair of bronze medals and Jeff Nicol brought home a silver medal as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's and women's swim teams competed at the Canada West Championship meet in Vancouver this past weekend.

Kelly led the 18-swimmer contingent with bronze medal swims in the 50- and 100-metre butterfly events, setting new U of L school records in each swim. She also picked up a fifth-place finish in the 100-metre backstroke event.

Nicol, who won two medals last year in his home pool, captured a silver medal in the 200-metre breaststroke and was just short of breaking his own school record that was set earlier this season. Nicol also finished fifth in the 100-metre breast event.

On the team front, the men's squad moved up one spot from last year's performance, up to fifth place with 279 points. The women's team finished with 181 points, and was also fifth in Canada West, the same place they finished last year in Lethbridge. Host UBC Thunderbirds won both the men's and women's team titles.

In total, U of L swimmers set 57 personal best times.

"I'm ecstatic with the team performance this weekend, this is our best Canada West Championship in my six seasons," says Horns head coach Brad Mori. "Both teams finished fifth and that was our team goal from the start of the year. Our swimmers swam great. They raced the moments, taking care of individual performances, leading to a fantastic team result."

Mat Loyola (50- & 200-metre breaststroke) and David Errington (200m breaststroke) both earned qualifying times for the CIS Championships. Loyola finished sixth in both distances, while Errington also finished sixth in the 200-metre breaststroke.

Matthew Mastromatteo, Jessie Olson-Heisler, Roger Hanna, and Adam Krysiak inched closer toward CIS qualifying times, and will have two more opportunities to reach those times in the coming weeks.

The CIS Championships will be hosted by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Dinos, Feb. 25-27.

Pronghorn Athletics set to celebrate busiest weekend in history

trevor.kenney — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:23:59 +0000

Hosting a Canada West Championship automatically makes it a big weekend for Pronghorn Athletics but when another five teams are added to the mix, it makes for something even larger.

"It is a big weekend for us," says Sandy Slavin, executive director of Sport and Recreation Services. "For the staff it will be busy but for the fans it will be fun and exciting."

Beginning Friday, Oct. 22 and concluding Sunday afternoon, Oct. 24, the U of L campus will see 14 games contested, featuring five Pronghorns teams, all highlighted by the Canada West Women's Rugby Championship.

"Because some of our seasons are so short in duration, at times it is hard to avoid these overlaps between teams," says Slavin. "So for us to host 14 games in one three-day stretch, including a Canada West Championship, is a biggie."

In addition to the women's rugby program seeking its fourth consecutive Canada West title, Pronghorns men's and women's basketball teams are in action as they host their Canada West season openers. The Horns women's hockey team invites ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta Pandas to town for a pair of games and the men's and women's soccer programs each play two-game sets as they conclude their Canada West home schedules.

The only Horns team not playing on home soil is the men's hockey team, which heads to Edmonton to play ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta on the road.

"There is a lot of excitement in the office about it," says Slavin. "We are fortunate we have a number of rugby alumni that have come forward and are helping us plan the Canada West banquet, as well as help out at the stadium during the games.

"A number of the girls registered in our Rugby Academy are also stepping forward to help as ball girls for the games."

There will be a big alumni presence all weekend, and the opportunity to showcase U of L athletics facilities, all brimming with action, is the perfect way to showcase Pronghorn Athletics to the broader community.

Slavin says special ticketing prices are being offered to bring people to campus.

"We are offering some flexible ticketing packages to encourage people to get out to as many games as possible."

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Alumni are also eligible to purchase a weekend pass for $10, allowing them to attend any of the Pronghorn games. These passes can be picked up at the Sport and Recreation Department. There will also be a tailgate BBQ on Sunday at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Community Stadium.

"It should be a great weekend," adds Slavin. "Our rugby team is the most successful team in the country the last three years and now they get an opportunity to showcase themselves at the new stadium in front of a hometown crowd. Everybody's very excited about our basketball teams this year, so we expect enthusiastic crowds at the gym both nights, and the women's hockey program continues moving forward and it's always a great weekend when the Pandas come to town."

Following is the weekend schedule

Canada West Rugby Championships at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Community Stadium
- Friday October 22nd

11:00am – Semi-Final 1 (Pronghorns vs. #4 Seed)

1:00pm – Semi-Final 2 (#2 Seed vs. #3 Seed)

- Sunday October 24th

11:00am – Bronze Medal Game

1:00pm – Championship Game

Pronghorn Men's & Women's Basketball Home Opener at the 1st Choice Savings Centre
- Friday October 22nd

6:00pm – Pronghorn Women's Basketball vs. Trinity Western ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

8:00pm – Pronghorn Men's Basketball vs. Trinity Western ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

- Saturday October 23rd

6:00pm – Pronghorn Women's Basketball vs. Trinity Western ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

8:00pm – Pronghorn Men's Basketball vs. Trinity Western ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

Pronghorn Men's & Women's Soccer at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Community Stadium
- Saturday October 23rd

12:00pm – Pronghorn Women's Soccer vs. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta

2:00pm – Pronghorn Men's Soccer vs. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta

- Sunday October 24th

12:00pm – Pronghorn Women's Soccer vs. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan

2:00pm – Pronghorn Men's Soccer vs. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan

Pronghorn Women's Hockey at the Nicholas Sheran Ice Arena
- Friday October 22nd

7:00pm – Pronghorn Women's Hockey vs. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta

- Saturday October 23rd

7:00pm – Pronghorn Women's Hockey vs. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta

Pronghorn Athletics celebrates busiest weekend in history

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 19:06:01 +0000

Hosting a Canada West Championship automatically makes it a big weekend for Pronghorn Athletics but when another five teams are added to the mix, it makes for something even larger.

"It is a big weekend for us," says Sandy Slavin, executive director of Sport and Recreation Services. "For the staff it will be busy but for the fans it will be fun and exciting."

The only Horns team not playing on home soil is the men's hockey team, which heads to Edmonton to play ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta on the road.

"A number of the girls registered in our Rugby Academy are also stepping forward to help as ball girls for the games."

Slavin says special ticketing prices are being offered to bring people to campus.

"We are offering some flexible ticketing packages to encourage people to get out to as many games as possible."

UNews - Canada West Championship

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