Summer is nearly over and the 7th annual Dinosaur Valley Half Marathon is getting closer and closer, and organizers say participants should register by 10 pm Friday, August 19 in order to guarantee their participation t-shirt.
The marathon, which will see hundreds of runners on either a 21, 10, or the family 5-kilometre race across Drumheller, is set for September 11. There are a number of promotions offered to participants – for more information check out www.dinosaurhalf.com
It has been a couple generations since young basketball players first pulled on the famous red and black high-tops with the swoosh and began to dream that they could “Be Like Mike.”
That dream continues today for many, and where is the best place to learn to Be Like Mike? Flight School of course.
That is just what 12-year-old Deyrold Dean Jr. did. From July 23 to August 3, he attended the Michael Jordan Flight School Basketball camp at the University of California Santa Barbara. During the intense camp from sun up to sun down, he lived and breathed life according to Jordan. This included drills, lessons, scrimmages and classroom time with Michael Jordan himself. More than just basketball, there were lessons on how to be successful.
His father Deyrold Sr. is a big Michael Jordan fan and instantly saw the value the camp holds.
“On the first day, Jordan said in the welcome speech ‘your kid might not learn any basketball, but he will learn discipline,” said Deyrold Sr. “That was my intention for taking him.”
The camp is very prestigious, with players coming from across the United States as well as international players from South America and China. Often these players are very skilled and could be in the national programs. Many other have aspirations of playing in college and earning scholarships. Deyrold Jr. believes he was the only Canadian attending the camp at the time.
Not only did he get a chance to receive instruction from Jordan and top NCAA coaches, but there were appearances by current NBA stars such as Chris Paul of the LA Clippers, Derrick Fisher and Jimmy Butler with the Chicago Bulls and the American Olympic basketball team.
On the court, Deyrold Jr. said he saw most of his improvement in passing and rebounding. He also met a number of great players and made friends. At the beginning of the camp, the players divided into teams and his squad went undefeated and won the camp tournament.
Deyrold Jr. is going into Grade 8 at St. Anthony’s School and last year he had a strong season as a power forward playing on the Junior A team. This camp showed him where he can improve, and he has come back inspired and is putting in court time at BCF honing his skills for the upcoming season.
The Dragons have added depth in their net and the experience of an affiliate forward to the 2016/17 roster with the announcement Monday of dual signings.
Goaltender Hunter Virostek will make the move to Drumheller have been heavily scouted by the club at his post with the Midget AAA Bisons of Strathmore last season, posting a 2.37 GAA and an elite save percentage of .921 over 19 games.
“Hunter just came off a fantastic year with the CFR Bisons. I was at a couple of his games last year and was very impressed with him. He competes hard yet he is very calm, which is exactly what the coaching and scouting staff was looking for,” said head coach Brian Curran.
The Dragons got their man after extensive scouting of Virostek last year, and the 18-year-old from Nanton, AB was well aware he was in the team’s crosshairs.
“The Dragons have watched me play more times than any other team by a long shot and have always been open, honest, and very approachable. Drumheller’s ability to not take losing lightly is also a huge factor. Team toughness both mentally and physically is a huge appeal,” said Virostek.
Also announced Monday was the signing of returning affiliate player Joren Patenaude, who joins the Dragons from the Calgary Midget AA Buffaloes after posting 9 goals and 17 assists last year, while also contributing three goals and three assists playing 10 regular season games and four playoffs games for Drumheller.
“I chose Drumheller because it is a great hockey town with a devoted fan base that embraces and supports the team,” the 5’10, 170-lbs. Calgary native said. “Curran puts his players above all else and shows he is very passionate towards the Drumheller Dragons.”
“He was very successful in the games he played for us last season and will definitely contribute in all areas of the ice this season,” said Curran.
The Dragons hit the home ice for the first time this fall on September 9, when they take on Lloydminister in their first home exhibition game.
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