The U12 Drumheller Raptors travel team is looking for support to become the BMO Team of the Week.
    The soccer team, coached by Cameron Chapin and Paul Salvatore, entered the BMO contest to hopefully win big for their facility.
    The contest is to give teams across the country a chance to show their pride, spirit and community commitment.  Until July 24, judges will be picking 15 teams as finalists for the Team of the Week Contest. After that, Canadians will vote for their favourite team. The winner will be announced in September and will win $125,000 to upgrade their facility.
    The U12 Raptors are already a winner. As one of the Early Bird Entry winners, it received a shipment of BMO practice soccer balls and water bottles.
    So far, there have been nine  Teams of the Week selected as finalists, and the Raptors would like to claim one of the finalists spots. More than want it, they deserve it.
    The team is not only committed to working hard and giving their all every game, but also give back to the community. They are very active raising funds for their club to keep the program strong.
    Beyond soccer, every year they donate a portion of their Christmas fundraiser for the Alberta Arthritis Society. They are also one of the teams that goes door-to-door every year in the Salvation Army’s Food drive.
    Part of keeping soccer strong in Drumheller is upgrading its facility. Some of the amenities they would like to add a field house, with shelter, washrooms and concession, with storage, and making comfortable for players and spectators.
    To help support the Drumheller U12 Raptors soccer team in the national contest, go to www.bmosoccer.com and register to show support for the team.    
    The more support the team gets, the better the chances it will be selected as one of the weekly winners and qualify for the national voting. So far, there has been a steady stream of support for the team, but they could always use more. 
    “The more supporters you have on your page the better your chances of becoming a weekly winner,” said Drumheller Soccer board member Marnie Chapin.

    One of Drumheller’s newest athletic events is looking ahead to bigger and better things after a huge turnout this past weekend.
    On the morning of Saturday, June 8, individuals and teams gathered for the second annual DinoFest Triathlon.
    Participants were divided into two distances. Seven triathletes took part in the Olympic distance race, in which they had to swim 60 lengths of the pool, bike 40 kilometres, and run 10 kilometres.
    The remaining thirteen individuals and four teams did the sprint race, which is half the distance.
    Brad Hale took top spot in the Olympic distance with an overall time of 2:33:35. Mike MacDonald took second with a time of 2:43:18 and Morgan Syvertsen placed third with a time of 2:47:40.

Olympic distance triathlon winner Brad Hale during the swim. Hale won the race with a time of 2:33:35.

    Laura Hegberg was the champion of the sprint distance, finishing it in 1:20:18. Ben Borkovic placed second with a time of 1:23:53 and Kali Wade came in third with a time of 1:27:39.
    The top team finished with a time of 1:34:50.

Laura Hegberg, picutred here during the 5 kilometre run, took the gold in the triathlon sprint distance with a time of 1:20:18.

    The race is being counted as a success by organizer Morgan Syvertsen and discussions have started to make the race bigger and better for next year.    
    “I think it went really well. I talked to a few people who are really into triathlons and are keen to form an organizing committee next year. Next year, we could go public and advertise outside the valley. It could triple the numbers, which would change the logistics quite a bit,” said Syvertsen.
    Creating an official organization would require organizers to jump through a few more hoops next year.
    “If we go bigger, we’re going to have to connect with the ATA (Alberta Triathlon Association), which means everyone would have to get a one day membership, which is $35, so the cost will go up,” said Syvertsen. “If we do advance registration and payment, we’ll know the budget we’re working with. We could do t-shirts, other swag, and awards.”
    Despite the challenges, the goal is to keep growing the triathlon and continue it as an annual event.
    “We had a good crowd last year and more than doubled it this year,” said Syvertsen. “We demonstrated we could do it, now it’s just a matter of buckling down, planning further ahead, and working out some of the little problems.”