Sports | DrumhellerMail

Midget Raptors reach semifinals in first provincial tournament experience

After winning the zone championship earlier in the month, the Bertram Drilling/Sports Room Midget Raptors were aiming to add another title to their stellar season, that of provincial champions.
   The Raptors travelled to Manning this past weekend and fought hard against some of the best division C teams in the province, but fell short of their goal.
   “They definitely tried, but things didn’t fall in our favour,” said head coach Darren Toffan. “The boys were down. It was a lot of hockey and the ref wasn’t the greatest.”
   The weekend opened with the Raptors facing off against the Kitscoty Pitbulls in round robin play. The Raptors got off to a huge five goal lead early on, but in the third period the Pitbulls fought back and scored four goals. The Raptors won 8-7, but it was too close for comfort.
   The next morning the Raptors were up against the Rimbey Renegades and were defeated in a heated match.
   The Raptors then faced the host team, the Manning Comets. With the home team crowd prevalent in the arena, the pressure was high for the Raptors, but they came through with a win over the Comets.
   After round robin play was over, the Raptors finished first in their pool and headed to the semifinals, their opponent being the Viking Gas Kings.
   After the first period, the Raptors held on to a narrow 2-1 lead. Unfortunately, it didn’t last as the Gas Kings went on the warpath and defeated the Raptors.
   In the end, the Renegades won the provincial championship.
   Despite losing in the semifinals, the weekend had benefits.
   “It was a good experience for the boys. It was their first time at provincials and they got to see what other teams are like,” said Toffan.
   The season isn’t over for the Raptors. This weekend, the Raptors will be battling the Oyen Bees for the title of league champions.
   The first game is in Oyen on Friday at 8 p.m. Game two will be in the Drumheller Memorial Arena on Saturday, at 8 p.m. A third game, if necessary, will be back in Oyen on Sunday, at 3 p.m.
   “We’re evenly matched and, if the boys bring it together, we can definitely beat them,” said Toffan.

Three’s company for triathlon organizer

   Drumheller has hit the fitness map with the introduction of the Dinosaur Valley Half Marathon and the construction of the Badlands Community Facility. One man wants to add another event to the list.
   Morgan Syvertsen, science camp coordinator at the Royal Tyrrell Museum and fitness buff, is organizing the Valley’s first triathlon, which combines running, swimming, and cycling into one race.
   Syvertsen is a regular face at the Aquaplex and has participated in the Dinosaur Valley Half Marathon. Syvertsen has also done triathlons in the past and found quite a few people here in Drumheller who participate as well.
   “It started with people talking. I’ve met several people who have done triathlons and are planning on doing more. Having done them myself, I thought it would be cool to do our own,” said Syvertsen.
   The large number of physically active residents and the facilities that are here add to the appeal of a Drumheller triathlon.
   “From what I’ve been able to determine, there’s a lot of runners in town, a lot of swimmers, and a lot of people out biking. Why not bring everybody together?” said Syvertsen. “We’ve got a great pool and fantastic places to ride and run.”
   Training for a triathlon is intense, but help is available. Training clinics and days are an option to help less experienced triathletes. Also, one of the ideas being tossed around is bringing coaches in from Calgary to run clinics.
   The addition of the triathlon could help bring more people to the Valley, helping the local economy, and could help put Drumheller more firmly on the physical activity map.
   Looking ahead, Syversten hopes the triathlon could become larger. This year the swim will take place in the Aquaplex, but in subsequent years be moved to a nearby lake should the race take off.
   At the moment, the triathlon needs volunteers and participants. Residents can either race individually or as a team and do either sprint or Olympic distances. June 2 has been scheduled for the triathlon.
   Anyone interested can contact Syvertsen at meistermogie@gmail.com.
   “The reason I do triathlons is that it’s so much fun to cross train like this, you don’t get stuck in a rut,” said Syvertsen. “It’s a good way to balance your overall fitness,”

Sabres Alumni Games Saturday

The St. Anthony’s Sabres are celebrating its past and future this Saturday with its annual Alumni Games.
   The school, which recently moved into its new facility will christen its gymnasium with two feature basketball games with players past and present.
   Gavin Makse of St. Anthony’s says the event will be a chance to showcase the new school to past students, as well as a time for former players to connect with current players, and so far it looks like there will be a strong turnout at the games.
   Makse said at the event they are planning a silent auction of old St. Anthony’s basketball uniforms. The jerseys will have a reserve price of $25, and if the bidding goes beyond $50, the will also allow the shorts to go. The funds from the auctioned uniforms will go toward purchasing new sets for the school.
   The annual Alumni Games are on Saturday, March 24. The girl’s game is at 1:30 p.m., and the boys play at 3 p.m. For more information, contact Makse at 403-823-3485.

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