The first meet of the Lafarge Cross Country Grand Prix series drew over 900 elementary and middle school athletes to Clearbrook Park last week.
On the girls side, winners included Amy Brandt (Grade 4, Upper Sumas), Marquesis Haintz (Grade 5, unattached), Jessica Kampman (Grade 6, Abby Christian), Aaryanna Kurucz (Grade 7, MEI) and Katia Heppell (Grade 8, MEI).
Boys race winners were Colton MacDonald (Grade 4, McMillan), Sam Jones (Grade 5, MEI), Parker Wakelyn (Grade 6, W.A. Fraser), Noah Nickel (Grade 7, MEI) and Aaron Mulama (Grade 8, W.A. Fraser).
Races continue for the next three Wednesdays at Clearbrook Park, running from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Runners will be competing for individual and team awards, with the big prize being the Jane Swan Fitness Award – given to the school whose competitors have demonstrated the best overall fitness.
NAJMAN, NEESON HONOURED BY UFV
Soccer players James Najman and Carly Neeson have been named the University of the Fraser Valley's athletes of the week.
Najman, a first-year forward from Surrey, scored the match-winning goal as the Cascades men beat the Calgary Dinos 3-0 on Sunday. It was the first career CIS goal for the rookie.
Neeson, a third-year forward from Maple Ridge, had an excellent weekend, helping UFV defeat Lethbridge Pronghorns 2-1 and tie the Calgary Dinos 2-2. She was instrumental in setting up both Cascades goals in Saturday’s victory, and assisted on both goals on Sunday. Neeson has now been named UFV's player of the match in four straight conference games.
The Abbotsford Heat sponsor the UFV athlete of the week program.
DISCOVER JUDO
The Abbotsford Judo Club will be hosting a judo discovery day on Saturday, Sept. 29 as part of Sports Day in Canada celebrations.
The open house event will include a demonstration, a chance for visitors to join in an introductory class, and judo-related games. The event runs from from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Abbotsford Judo Club, 31410 Maclure Rd. Admission is free, but those who wish to guarantee a spot should pre-register by calling 604-852-8014.
T-WOLVES TRIUMPH
The Robert Bateman junior football team opened the regular season with a 48-32 win over the Samuel Robertson Technical Titans last week.
Austen Zacher got the T-Wolves off to a great start, taking an interception back for a touchdown on the Titans' first play from scrimmage. Zacher would also rush for three majors, while tight end McKenzie Johnson caught a pair of scoring passes from QB Josh Friskie. Brad Lewis rounded out the Bateman scoring with a 20-yard TD run.
RAVENS FLYING HIGH
A three-touchdown performance by Dylan Manocha paced the Eugene Reimer Ravens Grade 8 football team to a 42-8 triumph over the Mission Roadrunners on Monday.
Manocha racked up 177 yards on eight carries, while quarterback Shawn Lal threw scoring passes to Balraj Mangat and Joven Gill. Mangat added an interception return for a TD.
BASKETBALL WHISTLE-BLOWERS SOUGHT
With basketball season just a couple of months away, the Fraser Valley Basketball Officials Association (FVBOA) is searching for new officials to join them this season. The FVBOA officiates all basketball games played in the region, and they are running education and training meetings on Monday evenings beginning Oct. 1 and through the end of November.
For more information, contact Paul Nivins at pnivins@shaw.ca, or call 604-613-6391.