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Basketball And Volleyball Sweeps For Kings And Queens

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It was a successful and exciting weekend for the Red Deer College teams. Both RDC Volleyball squads defeated the Briercrest College Clippers in a pair of home matches. The Queens and Kings Basketball teams defeated the Ambrose University Lions in a homeand-home series and the RDC Kings Hockey club picked up 3-of-4 points against the University of Alberta (Augustana) Vikings.

Here is a summary of what happened this past week in RDC Athletics.

Queens Volleyball | Friday, Feb. 17 | RDC

The Red Deer College Queens swept the Briercrest College Clippers in straight sets (25-19, 25-22 and 25-23). Miranda Dawe led the Queens with 11 kills. The Kinesiology and Sport Studies student added 1 assist, 2 service aces, 1 stuff block and 5 digs.

Kings Volleyball | Friday, Feb. 17 | RDC

The RDC Kings defeated the Briercrest College Clippers in 3 sets (25-13, 25-21 and 25-13). Brian Grenier led the Kings with 8 kills. The Kinesiology and Sport Studies student added 5 service aces.

Queens Basketball | Friday, Feb. 17 | Ambrose University

In Calgary, the RDC Queens defeated the Ambrose University Lions 76-57. Emily White led the Queens with 20 points. The Management Certificate student added 2 blocks, 4 steals, 2 assists and 16 rebounds for RDC. Dedra Janvier scored 19 points and Brooke Kirkpatrick chipped in with 10 points for the Queens.

Kings Basketball | Friday, Feb. 17 | Ambrose University

The Red Deer College Kings defeated the Ambrose University Lions 99-86. Ian Tevis stacked up 24 points, 2 blocks, 2 steals, 1 assist and 13 rebounds for RDC.

Kings Hockey | Friday, Feb. 17 | U of A (Augustana campus)

The Augustana Vikings edged the RDC Kings 3-2 in overtime. In Camrose, Blair Mulder and Tyler Berkholtz scored for the Kings. The RDC Kings picked up 1 point in the standings.

Queens Volleyball | Saturday, Feb. 18 | RDC

The RDC Main Gym was electric throughout this afternoon match. The Queens defeated the Clippers in 5 sets (19-25, 25-19, 25-16, 19-25 and 15-7). Ashley Fehr finished with 49 assists, 2 stuff blocks and 8 digs for RDC.

“It was a test of resilience today,” said Queens Volleyball Head Coach Chris Wandler. “It was important to pull out a meaningful game, build confidence and move forward.” With the victory, the RDC Queens (21-3) capture 1st place in the ACAC Women’s Volleyball South Division with 42 points and extend their winning streak to 16 straight matches. The regular season is complete and the Queens prepare for the ACAC Women’s Volleyball Championship Feb. 23-25. Lakeland College will be hosting the event.

Kings Volleyball | Saturday, Feb. 18 | RDC

On their home court, the Kings swept the Clippers (25-10, 25-20 and 25-16) in their final regular season match. Regan Fathers accumulated 19 kills, 1 assist, 5 service aces, 1 stuff block and 8 digs for the Kings.

“It was kind of what we wanted heading into the playoffs. Our blocking was better today. Our transition game was really good,” said Kings Volleyball Head Coach Aaron Schulha. “We made some quality digs, were able to run some speed to the outside and get our middles involved. Transition is something that we pride ourselves on. It really showed today.” With the victory, the RDC Kings (19-5) improve to 38 points in the ACAC Men’s Volleyball South Division. The Medicine Hat College Rattlers also have 38 points at the top of the division. Red Deer College will host the ACAC Men’s Volleyball Championship Feb. 23-25 at the RDC Main Gym.

Queens Basketball | Saturday, Feb. 18 | RDC

At RDC, the Queens won 80-62 over the Lions. In her final regular season game in a Queens’ uniform, Dedra Janvier accumulated 24 points, 4 steals, 3 assists and 1 rebound. The Bachelor of Education student finished her ACAC Basketball career as the RDC Queens all-time leading scorer.

“Dedra went out exactly the way that she deserved, breaking the Queens’ scoring record and that’s awesome for her,” said Queens Basketball Head Coach Ken King. “She deserved it.” The RDC Queens (10-11) sit in 4th place, currently occupy the final playoff spot and have 20 points in the ACAC Women’s Basketball South Division. The Medicine Hat College Rattlers sit in 5th spot with 18 points and have 2 games remaining so they can climb the standings next weekend and grab the final playoff spot. The RDC Queens will follow the Rattlers’ results to see which team will qualify for the postseason.

Kings Basketball | Saturday, Feb. 18 | RDC

The Kings defeated the Lions 104-92 in their final regular season game. Matt Matear picked up 29 points, 4 assists and 16 rebounds for the Kings. With the win, the RDC Kings (15-6) sit in 2nd place and have 30 points in the ACAC Men’s Basketball South Division. The Rattlers, Trojans and Kodiaks have 2 regular season games remaining so the positioning of the 4 teams may change. The RDC Kings will compete in the ACAC Men’s Basketball Championship March 2-4 in Medicine Hat.

Kings Hockey | Saturday, Feb. 18 | Penhold Multiplex

In the 2nd half of the home-and-home series, the RDC Kings defeated the U of A Augustana Vikings 2-1. Scott Ferguson and Riley Simpson scored on the power play for RDC. Mike Salmon earned the win in net and turned aside 22-of-23 shots. With the victory, the Kings improve to 26 points and remain in 5th spot in ACAC Men’s Hockey. The top 6 teams qualify for the playoffs and the RDC Kings have already sealed a spot.

“I was happy with the effort and we played a playoff brand of hockey,” said Kings Hockey Head Coach Trevor Keeper. “The players are paying attention to the details of the game and what we are doing in practice is paying off in the games. There’s a good vibe in the dressing room.” Next weekend, only a pair of regular season games remain against the Concordia University Thunder.

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Alberta

“A Really Special Place” – Why the Wild Rose Motocross Track is One of a Kind

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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.

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Alberta

Alberta Juniors Choose Positive Path

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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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