Times Editor

 

It is definitely the unorthodox way, but the UFA Bisons are still undefeated on the season, after posting a road tie and a home win this past weekend.

The local triple-A midget team earned their third draw of the season, 4-4 in Lethbridge on Oct. 15, before a 9-3 romp over the Grande Prairie Storm the following day at the Strathmore Family Centre.

As a result, the Bisons are undefeated with their less than traditional 2-0-3 start.

Despite the record, head coach Jeremy Friesen expects more from his crew.

“Until guys realize the work ethic and what it takes to win and be successful at this level, we’re going to keep going through this same process,” said Friesen. “It’s a bit of a maturity thing and guys are going to have to start putting in those second and third efforts.

“The biggest concern with us is we have the ability with all four of our lines to establish the pace that we want to play. Then we take some costly penalties that are undisciplined and lazy – that shifts momentum (to the other team) and momentum is a hard thing to get back on your side.”

The Bisons took a 2-1 lead going into the third period against Lethbridge, before allowing a powerpaly goal early to even the score. The Herd scored two goals 1:14 apart midway through the third, taking a 4-2 lead and eventually allowed another powerplay goal en route to the tie.

“We just go through peaks and valleys,” said the coach. “We controlled the game for 40-45 minutes, then we have letdowns. It comes down to consistency and making sure we have the same effort throughout. 

“If we pay attention and we play the way we are capable of playing, I think we’re in that situation – we win by three or four.”

The Bisons then stepped up their game on home ice against the Storm, resulting in a 9-3 win. Once the game was in full control, the Bison took their foot off the pedal in the third period, said Friesen. However, he was pleased to see his offence players step up.

“I think this game came at the perfect time – no discredit to Grande Prairie, but we had some guys that are a little bit snake bitten in putting the puck in the net that are capable of doing that,” said the coach. “I think today was an opportunity for them to get their confidence back a bit. So going forward, we hope (that trend continues).”

The Bisons are now preparing to play a pair of home games this weekend when they host SSAC Athletics on Oct. 22 (5:30 p.m.) and the J. Ennis Kings the following day at 2 p.m. at the Strathmore Family Centre.

 

Times Contributor

 

Playing at an exceptional level for her age, 17-year-old, Caitlyn Woodcock helped the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Lady Trojans Fastball team bring home silver in the Alberta Intercollegiate Women’s Fastball Association (AIWFA) playoffs. The tournament was held in Regina, Saskatchewan, Oct 1-2, and was hosted by the University of Regina. The girls went up against six teams and played six games in a short time period from 12 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Lady Trojans, a Polytechnic Club team entered the playoffs ranked fourth out of the six teams and finished 5-7 in the overall 2011 season. 

Finishing second against University of Saskatchewan was a great feat for the Lady Trojans, with silver being the highest placed finish the SAIT team has ever reached since the beginning of the league in 2002.

“We lost 15-0 in the third inning, but at that point we already played our sixth game of the weekend and everyone knew going in that Saskatchewan was going to win, they’re a big team,” said Caitlyn Woodcock.

To get physically prepared for the 2011 season, Woodcock said she trained a lot this past winter, including two 3-4 hour long practises every week as well as extensive workout sessions every Wednesday.

“It’s pretty intense, just training, just working out and working on your basic skills over and over again. I also play ringette here in Strathmore, it keeps me in shape for my off season and it keeps my cardio high. It keeps myself able to play softball,” said Woodcock. 

As for the 2012 season, Woodcock says it all depends on how the year will go and what team she will make. She anticipates playing for the Midget A team where it will be a good opportunity to be scouted for college and university teams. The experience of having already played at the calibre of a college level will only work to her benefit. 

“It’s just a really good experience to have under your belt and especially me being younger than what I should be at a college level. Other teams will see that and they will already recognize that you are able to handle that pressure of playing at a high level,” said Woodcock. 

Woodcock does not have a particular post secondary institution set to mind, but will be satisfied, “just as long as it’s a place that I can play and enjoy playing softball at.”

 

Times Reporter

 

After a trying campaign last season, the Wheatland Braves are off to a fantastic start to the 2011-2012 schedule.

The local double-A peewee team improved to 5-0-1 on the season, after sweeping a pair of home games this past weekend at the Strathmore Family Centre.

In an early battle for top spot in the South Division, the Braves defeated the Bow Valley Timberwolves 3-2 on Oct. 7, before posting a 6-2 win over the Airdrie Lightning on Oct. 9.

“We went a long time last year before we had this many points in the season, for sure,” said Braves head coach Keith Klemmensen. “We’ve got some talented, hard-working guys again – we always try and pick mentally tough guys. 

“I don’t want to downplay the hard work we’ve done, but we’ve been very fortunate because we’ve started a few game quite poorly.”

According to Klemmensen, the Braves were very fortunate against the Timberwolves. After a scoreless first period, the Braves fell 2-0 going into the third period of play.

However, the team ignited for three goals in the final 9:56 of the game to earn the win. Connor Dunlop took a feed from Isaac Benoit to open the scoring for the Braves, before Lucas Muenchrath and Cole Reinhardt combined to assist on Matthew Quigley’s goal 24 seconds later.

Ryan Ries completed the comeback for the Braves when he scored a powerplay goal with 5:56 remaining, collecting a pass from Ryan Bell and Malik Kaddoura.

“We had some really prolonged lapses (with) lack of effort, attention to the task, attention to detail. We were quite fortunate to get the win (Friday),” said Klemmensen. “This will come to an end if we don’t play 60 minutes – that’s all there is too it.”

However, the Braves came to play on Sunday and proved that their hot start is no fluke. Riley Romashenko scored the hat-trick and added an assist to lead the way for the Braves, while Kaddoura, Bell and Kaden Hanas each scored once. Ty Tarvyd made 31 saves for the win, while Reinhardt added a pair of helpers in the win.

The Braves collected two goals in each period and peppered the Lightning with 43 shots en route to the win.

The bottom line, despite how each win was achieved, is that the Braves are the top team in the league and Klemmensen says the team had to be prepared for the bulls-eye on their back.

“At the end of the day (teams) will be gunning for us, you’re exactly right,” said the coach. “That’s part of the growing up process of becoming a double-A player. We’ll see how they handle it. (The coaching staff) will do what we can to prepare them for it.”

The Braves next game is Oct. 16 (4:15 p.m.) when they host the Innisfail Flyers at the Strathmore Family Centre.

 

Warriors remain undefeated

The Wheatland Warriors improved to 4-0-1 on the season after whipping the Red Deer Steel Kings 9-0 on the road Oct. 8 and edging the Airdrie Lighning 4-3 the following day at the Strathmore Family Centre.

Will Conley and Markus Lavallee each scored twice and added two assists to lead the way for the Warriors, while Shane Fraser added a pair of goals and an assist in the 9-0 romp. Jayse Wilson scored twice and Kaleb Robinson also tallied for the Warriors.

On Sunday, Fraser again notched two goals and an assist to lead the way for the Warriors, while Robinson and Conley each scored once.

The local double-A bantam team will play a pair of road games this weekend when they travel to Lacombe and Innisfail.

 

Chiefs improve to 3-0

Just like the peewee and bantam teams, the Wheatland Chiefs double-A midget squad improved to 3-0 on the season with a 10-3 road win over the Taber Golden Suns on Oct. 8.

Going into the third period with a 3-3 tie, the Chiefs exploded for seven unanswered goals in the third period.

Abe Jensen notched a hat-trick, while Connor McCallum and Brooker Pretty Youngman each scored twice to lead the Cheifs. James Price added a goal and two helpers, while Justin Kostluk added a goal and an assist. Ryan Thomas notched the other goal for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs next home game is Oct. 14 (7:30 p.m.) when they host the Airdrie Lightning at the Strathmore Family Centre.

 

Mario Prusina

Times Editor

 

After earning four out of a possible six points to start the season, UFA Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen likes the way his team has progressed since Game 1.

After posting a 2-2 draw to open the season versus Lethbridge, the Bisons hit the road this past weekend, defeating the Lloydminster Bobcats 4-3 on Oct. 8, before earning another 2-2 draw versus the J Ennis Kings the following day.

Despite not winning all the games, Friesen likes what he sees from his triple-A midget squad.

“Absolutely” there has been a progression in their game said Friesen. “Our attention to detail is a lot better. We’re staying within the system – guys are starting to figure out pretty quick that when they do that, we’re successful and it works.

“Now it’s just an execution piece – our timing is just a little bit off when our passes are half a second behind or a half second early. That has resulted in scoring opportunities going by the wayside.

“It’s a work in progress, but so far, I think we’ve taken steps in the right direction each time out.”

On Saturday night, the Bisons used four powerplay goals en route to the win. Tyler Haiste scored once and added a pair of assists to lead the way for the Bisons, while Tyler Wong, Austin Masse and Alex Bechtold also tallied for the Herd.

Owen Ferguson had two assists and goaltender Grayson Sharpe earned his first AMHL victory.

“We were effective when we got pucks deep and punished their d-men,” said Friesen of the win. “In the second period we had a bit of a collapse – they started hitting us pretty high and pretty late and they kind of got us off of our game there a little bit.

“In the third period, we stuck with it and really started attacking them again. We’ve got a lot more skill and a lot more speed up front.”

Despite missing a handful of opportunities, the Bisons still took a point the following day against the Kings.

“We were shorthanded for 12 to 14 minutes alone in the first period,” described Friesen. “We came out of that (only) down 1-0. I thought we did a great job on the penalty kill. In the second period, we stayed five-on-five and we really started taking over the game. We really exposed them down low – they couldn’t handle our forecheck or our speed.

“We were very good throughout the game, we just had one let down at the end.”

The Bisons will now travel to Lethbridge on Oct. 15, before returning home to face the Grand Praire Storm on Oct. 16 (2 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre.

 

Times Reporter

 

For the first time this seasons, the Kings came away from a pair of weekend games without two points. 

After splitting their first two weekends with a win and a loss, the Kings dropped both games this past weekend, slipping to 2-4-0 on the season.

The local junior B team lost 4-3 at home to the Cochrane Generals on Oct. 8, before losing 5-3 to the Coaldale Copperheads the flowing day on the road.

After giving the Generals a 3-0 first period lead, the Kings chipped away when Leslie Doore converted on the powerplay from Lucas Ford and Racey Big Snake with 4:19 left in the second period.

Sam Lonnberg pulled the Kings to within a goal 1:46 into the third period, when he converted a feed from Brandon Neufeld and Joe Colborne. Austin Fisher tied the game at the 7:53 mark, when he converted a play from Aaron Elaschuk and Mark Goodman.

However, the comeback was stopped short as the Generals scored with just 47 seconds left to steal the win.

On Sunday, the Kings allowed the first goal early in the first period before Neufeld evened the score heading into the second period. 

The Copperheads then scored three unanswered goals in the middle frame to take a 4-1 lead before Hayden Warrack scored a powerplay goal late in the period, cutting the deficit in half.  The Kings started the third period with an early powerplay goal from Neufeld, when he converted a feed from Tyler Brandon and Parker Georgsen.

Despite a couple of chances in the period, the Copperheads iced the game with a late goal to earn the win. 

The Kings will now hit the road on Oct. 14 when they travel to Three Hills, before facing the Okotoks Oilers the following day at the Strathmore Family Centre. Game time is slated for 8 p.m.

Times Jr. Reporter

 

The peewee Spartans football team was in Red Deer Oct. 8 playing against the Hornets. The game went well for the Spartans, who defeated the Hornets with a score of 46-0. 

“The defense is working as a unit with no one player trying to steal the show” said head coach Doug Klauck. The running game was working, but the defense was even better, not allowing the Hornets offence to score a single point. The senior Spartans and the bantams Spartans didn’t fare as well, both losing their respective games. Though the senior team pulled through in the second half, gaining more touchdowns, it wasn’t enough to pull a victory out of the game. The senior Spartans were up against a very good team, a team they will play one more time in the playoffs. The Spartans will lose a few players for the playoff game due to population restrictions. The team has games in two weeks on Friday the 21st in Calgary. The peewee and bantam teams will both be on home turf this Saturday, with the peewees playing against Lacombe and the bantam facing Hunting Hills. If the peewees are able to pull off the win they will be on a four game winning streak, and as most players know a team going into the playoffs hot is a very dangerous team to play.  

Pat Fule  

JETS Athletics

 

JETS ATHLETICS has been in operation in Strathmore since 1995. Adapting and evolving to meet the needs of Strathmore Youth specifically, our JETS name stands for “Just Enjoy The Sport.” We strive to make learning the various sports fun, exciting, and challenging. We strongly encourage good sportsmanship, with little emphasis on keeping score or statistics until the players are older. All of our programs are designed to keep children active and to develop their athletic abilities, while building self-esteem in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Sportsmanship, fitness, and skill development are all emphasized and all children are encouraged to participate, regardless of their previous experiences and abilities. Coach Pat Fule, a high school teacher, has over 30 years of coaching experience and has worked with children of all ages and abilities in a variety of sports. Coach Fule is constantly adapting his lessons to meet the needs of his participants. 

JETS has been a regular sports fixture on Monday nights in Strathmore for many years. We offer basketball, badminton, and volleyball programs to children from Grades 1-9 and would love for you to join us. Our programs are designed so that when one sport ends, the next one begins, allowing children to stay active throughout the school year and participate in all three of our sports programs if they choose. 

The two following programs will be offered after this basketball season. Jets Badminton will start on December 5 and run till March 12, 2012 with 8 sessions. Stars Volleyball will run a 10-week session from March 19 through to June 4. Any and all information can be found by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 403-934-4599.

Times Jr. Reporter

 

The Strathmore senior football team again played two games this week, the first on Sept. 27 in Airdre. The Spartans were locked in a defensive battle against the Burt Church Chargers with the end score being a 0-0 tie. The Spartans were very strong on defense as the Chargers were inside the ten yard line three different times. It was looking like the Spartan offence was going to be able to put points on the board moving the ball through the air, in backup quarterback James Nakamura’s first start of the year. The game was full of strong play from the whole defense throughout. 

In the second game of the week, the Spartans were at home facing the Canmore Wolverines. It was another big game for running back Dakota Barrie, running for over 100 yards, and slot back David Kuljanin, making a number of huge catches.  Once again, Strathmore’s defense took over the game forcing four turnovers, two of them interceptions by corner back Mitchel Lund. On the offence, running backs Chris Reed and Dakota Barrie moved the ball down the field all game, resulting in a 10-0 win. The Spartans are now 2–0 at home for the season. There is one more league game left in Olds against the Spartans, (the Olds team is also called the Spartans), on Oct. 8. 

The seniors are not the only team with a game Saturday - the Bantams play in Stettler and the Peewees play against the Red Deer Hornets in Red Deer. All three games should be close; hopefully all three teams can come home with a win.   

Times Reporter

 

After their first game of the season, UFA Bisons head coach Jeremy Friesen knows that there are a lot of things to work on with his hockey club.

That being said, he is very pleased with the team’s overall performance in their home opener versus the Lethbridge Pronghorns.

Kevin O’Rourke and Alex Bechtold each scored and goaltender Wilson Sproule made 20 saves, as the Bisons earned a 2-2 draw versus the Pronghorns Oct. 2 at the Strathmore Family Centre.

“I thought we had some really good opportunities - I thought we saw some good things,” said Friesen “Our d-zone was not too bad - it’s fairly new to a lot of the guys and we’re still adjusting. Our penalty killing was fantastic.

“All-in-all, for the first game of the year, I think we saw a lot of good things and that’s a good starting point.”

According to Friesen, he was happy with the offence and the way they controlled the puck and the way the defence joined the rush. 

With that in mind, he felt that there were points in the game where the Bisons dominated the play.

“I thought we out-chanced them, (but) we need to take advantage of our scoring opportunities,” said the coach. “We need to make sure that it doesn’t come down to one goal in the third period. We had enough opportunities where we should have put them away early.”

Bisons veteran and newly-appointed captain Mitch McAllister echoed those thoughts.

“We had great scoring chances - we outplayed them a lot of the game, but we had a couple of mental lapses,” said the Chestermere native. “In the end, it’s a 60 minute game and we come out with a point.

“Our depth is a big part (of our success) - we have a lot of guys who can put the puck in the back of the net. Also we have d-men that can control the backend and our goaltending is solid as well.

“I can’t wait to get the season rolling.”

Despite the nerves that most of the players felt early on, they were excited to get the season underway. According to O’Rourke, who notched his first career triple-A midget goal, things started a little rough, but the nerves quickly faded as the game went on.

He settled down enough to notch a beauty goal.

“I saw the puck open on the far boards, so I picked it up. I had a lane, put it on net and luckily it went in,” described O’Rourke of his goal. “It felt unbelievable as you can probably tell by the celebration. It was (really) good.”

The Bisons will now hit the road for a pair of games against North Division opponents. The team will take on the Lloydminster Bobcats and Edmonton’s J. Ennis Kings on Oct. 8-9 respectively.

According to Friesen, “it’s the perfect time to do it. It was a long process to finally get the roster (set) and I think it’s going to be good just to get them away.

“It’s going to be quite the hike up to Lloydminster, so it’s going to be good team building-wise … to spend time with each other and get to know each other. 

“The more comfortable they are off the ice (with each other), the more comfortable they are on the ice.”

JV Girls Volleyball Coach 

 

The Spartan JV Girls Volleyball team hosted their annual tournament this past weekend. With some of the top teams in the zone attending there was some amazing volleyball to watch.  

Strathmore beat Chestermere, Canmore, Acme and Burt Church in the round robin, going undefeated.  

“We needed our top players to perform and they did,” said Jerry Flaws.   

“The girls played well and with their work habits it will only get better.”

In the Semi-finals the Spartans came against Brooks, who are always in the running for the zone championship. The Spartans were able to win the close match (24-26, 25-22, 15-13).  

The Spartans then played the Chestermere Lakers in the final again.  This was a rematch from the tournament a couple of weeks ago at Holy Cross.  

Unfortunately the Spartans could not muster up enough energy to win their home tournament. They captured the silver medal and are off to a great start to the season. 

Times Editor 

 

It may be early in the season, but Wheatland Kings head coach Doug Murphy sees a distinct advantage that his team may have for the new campaign.

With veteran netminder Richie Hubbell in the fold, Wheatland added former Fort McMurray tryout Bryce Halverson to the stable, providing the Kings with a solid 1-2 punch in goal.

The dynamic goaltending duo, which debuted this past weekend, is putting a smile on Murphy’s face.

“Our goaltending is obviously set,” beamed Murphy. “One of the things that you really have to be cautious of is that you don’t end up relying on them (too often, but) we certainly have goaltending that can win games for us – even steal games for us. That’s a real good spot to be in

“As a tandem, I don’t think we’ve seen anything better.”

In his first game with the Kings, Halverson made 46 saves en route to a 3-2 overtime road win over the Medicine Hat Cubs on Sept. 30. 

Parker Georgsen scored the game winner, while Ty Goodeagle added a goal and an assist to lead the Kings. Mark Good scored the other goal for the Kings.

“We got off to a slow start and finally got it going in the third period,” said Murphy of the game. “We played reasonably well – we’re still trying to find chemistry with different guys, but the guys have more confidence (than before), especially in overtime.

“And some of (Halverson’s) saves were ridiculous. He’s 6”3’ and he used every inch of his body to make some of them.”

The following night, at home against the High River Flyers, the Kings burst out to a 2-0 lead before surrendering four straight goals, en route to a 6-4 loss.

“It was like two different games in the first period,” said Murphy of the home game. “The first 10 minutes, the guys were pressuring, forechecking and we had High River closed in their zone and they couldn’t do anything. We took advantage of it and went up 2-0. 

“Then (we) stopped playing the system, things fell apart and we had a real mental lapse at the end of the first period (allowing a late goal).

“We changed goaltenders after the fourth goal, when they went up 4-2. It was no fault to Richie (Hubbell), he had no chance on either the third or fourth goal, but we had to send a message to the other guys that it was time to wake up and not hang the goaltender out to dry.”

The Kings managed to tie the game with a pair of quick goals in the third period, before High River scored with just 1:12 remaining in the game. They iced it into an empty net with five seconds left to earn the win.

Wheatland will now play host to the Cochrane Generals Oct. 8 (8 p.m.) at the Strathmore Family Centre, before traveling to Coaldale Oct. 9 (4 p.m.) to take on the Copperhead.

 

Kings offer scholarship

Three lucky players from the Wheatland Kings are eligible to apply for the new Kevin O’Keefe Memorial Scholarship, which will be awarded later this month.

The scholarship is in honour of Kevin, the father of the Kings’ first captain, Miles O’Keefe.

Kevin fought a courageous battle against Lou Gehrig’s disease before succumbing to the disease in August 2010. The scholarship will honor Kevin’s zest for life, dedication to family and friends and his unrelenting spirit throughout his courageous battle. 

“We’re just putting the application together for the players,” said Murphy. “Over the next couple of weeks, the guys will fill out the application. The coaching staff and the O’Keefe family will look over the application and talk about who we think is deserving.”

The awarding of the scholarships will be based on criteria identified by Kevin, which include financial need, integrity, determination and a positive team attitude. 

The scholarships are available to current Strathmore Wheatland Kings players enrolled in a post-secondary education program, continuing education program or apprenticeship program.

Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded at the beginning of each season, based on a written request submitted by the players. 

The scholarship will consist of a $500 credit toward the player’s current year’s team registration fees and a $500 cheque to be used towards educational expenses.  Schooling, travel, accommodations and a player’s financial need will be taken into consideration in selecting the recipients of the scholarships.  

The players will be recognized and presented the scholarship by a member of the O’Keefe family at a home game sponsored by Animal Care Centre of Strathmore. Contributors to this award currently include the Animal Care Centre of Strathmore, Grove Contract Operating and Murphy Christie Management.

 

Times Reporter

 

After a tough loss to open the 2011-2012 campaign, the Wheatland Kings had to forget about the past and focus on the future.

The local Junior B team did exactly that when they won a thrilling 4-3 overtime game against the Coaldale Copperhead on Sept. 24 at the Strathmore Family Centre, a mere 24-hours after a lopsided 6-2 loss in Didsbury against the Mountainview Colts.

The Kings were battling the Colts neck-neck, before officiating changed the complexion of the game, and the Colts responded with four powerplay goals en route to the win. Wheatland used the motivation of playing their home opener next night to earn a split in their opening weekend.

“It was exciting, but it wasn’t quite the game that we would have liked to play, but (we’ll take it),” said head coach Doug Murphy after the home opener. “It’s coming together – you can see the speed, you can see the skill and the character hanging on until the end. 

“(You’re) seeing some of the maturity. There are guys here going into their fourth season and we’ve been in overtime before and we haven’t always been on the right end of it. Now, with the talent we’ve got and the maturity, these one-goal and tied games are not as daunting as they used to be.

“Two years ago (this game would have been), at best a tie but more likely a loss.”

Instead, veteran defenceman Graham Douglas joined the rush and unleashed a slapshot that found its way to the back of the net.

“It feels pretty good, especially the home opener,” said Hussar native Douglas after the game. “I wanted to get in the zone and I thought, ‘take the shot’ and it went in.”

While the Kings needed overtime to secure the two points, the game wouldn’t have gone past the third period if not for the outstanding goaltending of Richie Hubbell.

The second year King made a handful of jaw-dropping saves to secure the win.

“Richie stole that one for us,” said Murphy. “He was absolutely outstanding tonight and he gives us full value (every time he’s on the ice).”

Despite the barrage of shots against, the goaltender relished the role of stopping Coaldale.

“I felt the adrenaline from the home opener kind of helped pump me up for the game to play better,” said Hubbell. “The defence played really good – they made (them take) all the shots from the point so I could see them. There was not a lot of traffic and the defence made my life easier.”

However, things were a little more hectic on Friday night. The team was taken off of their game by shady officiating. 

“We had a dirty hit (against) our team – their guy wrecked our guy from behind, really dirty,” said Hubbell. “Then after, the guy shot the puck and I made the save, and their guy tackled me into the net. The puck never went in the net until after the whistle went, but he called it a goal.

“That lead to a line-brawl, which lead our whole team to lose its focus. That was the turning point and it went downhill from there.”

Despite the loss, the Kings turned thing around in time for the home opener.

The team will now head to Medicine Hat on Sept. 30 to tangle with the Cubs, before hosting the High River Flyers Oct. 1 at the Strathmore Family Centre. Game time is 8 p.m.

Times Reporter

 

Strathmore and area residents can look forward to one more rodeo in the area this year. On Oct. 1 and 2, the Strathmore and District High School Rodeo will be at the Agricultural Society rodeo grounds hosting a rodeo to make up for the loss of the annual rodeo in May.  

Concerns arose this past May about horses contracting the disease equine neurological herpes virus, EHV-1, whichsaw rodeos all over the province being shut down.

Because of last May’s issues, organizers have decided there will be two rodeos this year. 

The first rodeo for the kids took place on the last weekend of August and there will be one more over the weekend before the kids break for the winter. 

“It’s free admission. With the help of the sponsors and the volunteers we’ve raised enough money that we won’t have to charge admission,” said Strathmore and District High School Rodeo Association President Dan Dowler.

“Everybody is welcome to come and take in some of the High School Rodeo kids and there’s some pretty impressive talent in our district, so it should be some pretty good rodeo.”

People who attend can look forward to seeing their favourite events from calf roping to saddle bronc and much more. 

Times Jr Reporter 

 

It was yet another disappointing game for our bantam football team.  The Spartans played against the Springbank Phoenix at home on Saturday, losing 39-0.  

Coach Rob Musselman made some position changes late in the game, resulting in some forward movement for the Strathmore offence.  The defense was strong in the second half against Springbank’s backup offence, not allowing any points in the second half.  Hopefully next week the bantam team can turn their second half into a full game performance.  It was noted by the coaches and parents that the players on this team have a lot of heart, since they continue to come out to practice in spite of a winless season.

James Giancola  

Times Jr Reporter 

 

The senior Spartans had two games last week, the first at home against the Chestermere Cowboys. This was the first home game of the season for the team.  Wearing their new blue jerseys they were able to pick up their first win of the year. The game started off slow for the Spartans, as at one point the Chestermere Cowboys had a 14-3 lead. The second half of the game was owned by the Spartans with running back Dakota Barrie racking up over 100 yards thanks to strong play from the offensive line. Dakota was running like he was on a mission, scoring his first touchdown this year. What he didn’t know was that he woke up an offensive machine. 

The offensive line was able to open up huge holes in the second half and the Spartans offense took the lead because of a strong running game. They cruised in the second half, to win the game 41-14. Thanks also to the strong defense that secured the win with an interception for a touchdown by half back David Kuljanin. 

The second game of the week for the senior team was held on the turf surface of Shouldice field in Calgary. The Spartans played against the Ernest Manning Gryphons. The Gryphons moved the ball down the field on the Spartans, who were still able to keep it close thanks to a big kickoff return by James Nakamura. It was a close game with the first half closed out by a touchdown pass to slot back David Kuljanin. The Gryphons came out of half time taking a big lead. The last play of the game was a touchdown pass; Cory Campbell connected with wide receiver James Giancola for a final score of 48-20.  It was a much better game than the scoreboard showed. Hopefully all of the hard work paid off for the Spartans away game against the Burt Church Chargers in Airdrie on Sept. 27. Result unavailable as of press time. 

The Peewee Spartans were in action Saturday in Wetaskiwin to face the Wildcats. It was a good game for both teams. 

“They were the nicest team we have played,” said trainer Lori Klauck. “The coaches, the parents, the kids all seemed to be of a similar mind set of what the Strathmore organization represents.” 

The coaches were happy for the opportunity to spread the ball around. The five players scoring the touchdowns were Austin Wasut, Kobe Holloway, Cooper Fargey, Riley Bahan and Ethan Monaghan. 

The Peewees have a bye week giving them an opportunity to rest up and build on their skills in preparation for their Oct. 8th game against the Red Deer Hornets in Red Deer.