When it comes to lacrosse, Centre Wellington has proven its players are tops in their field … field lacrosse that it.
On July 18, the council chambers in Elora sounded a bit more like an arena, with young people in the hallway waiting to meet local councillors.
Council then recognized the efforts of not one, but three groups of young athletes who have made their mark on the community.
The chambers however, were not large enough to accommodate them all at once, so they came in groups to be recognized by Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj and the rest of council.
The mayor then outlined each groups’s outstanding accomplishments to councillors and the public.
Peewee Provincial Championship
Ross-Zuj said the Centre Wellington Wolves Peewee team won gold at the provincials in Brampton on the weekend of May 20 to 22.
Ross-Zuj said she was even given the scores of the various games to relay to council.
The team defeated Huntsville 5-1, Innisfill 7-2, Oakville 6-1 and Orangeville 4-3. In the finals, the Centre Wellington defeated Oakville 2-1.
Team members include Ryan Mueller, Nicholas Grier, Riley Klompmaker, Owen Ristov, Curtis Hall, Dean Sealey, Eric Sheppard, Carter McKenzie, MacKenzie Taylor, Jake Fletcher, Justin Beaulieu, Thomas Cook and Mitchell Bernier. The coach is Keith Bernier and the trainer is Paul Sheppard.
As she presented the team with a small token of council’s appreciation, Ross-Zuj was presented with a banner from the Ontario Lacrosse Association.
“We’ll have a very special place to hang this,” Ross-Zuj said. “We’re so proud of each and every one of you.”
Novice Provincial Championship
Ross-Zuj then outlined the efforts of the Centre Wellington Wolves Novice team which also earned gold at the recent provincial championships on the weekend of May 20 to 22.
The team defended their provincial championship and moved up a division from C and captured the B division championship in Brampton.
“Congratulations,” she said.
In round robin play, the team wen undefeated with 4 wins and 0 losses.
“The Wolves beat West Durham 11-2, Milton 12-5, Missisauga 10-0 and Whitby 9-3. In the championship game the boys faced off against Toronto Beaches and captured the gold medal with a 7-2 victory.”
Team members include Jacob Hayne, Jordan Mueller, Brandon Lyon, Zachary Burt, Cameron Angst, Caleb Wilmets, Jake Ristov, Brayden Kreiger, Carter Hyndman, Riley McCabe, Jakson Kirk, Maxwell Hattle, David Mabery, Jonah White, Ryan Biggs, Brett Harrison, Troy Hall, Bo Columbus, Blair Geddes and Kyle Detweiler. Coaches are Ben Hayne and Dean Harrison.
Again as Ross-Zuj presented a token of council’s appreciation, she was presented with the winning banner to be displayed in a place of honour.
Future champions?
There may be more champions in the future as a number of local lacrosse players will represent Team Ontario this summer the national championships in British Columbia this summer.
She told council, “This is a very special group of people.”
They include: Erica Johnston, Jessica Sealy, Lauren Young, Taryn Collins, Kylee Sullivan, Teagan McManus, Nathan Bolger and Spencer Pyke.
“This is just amazing; they will all be representing Ontario [in various categories of play including Bantam, Midget, and Peewee – and in both box and field lacrosse].”
As she offered congratulations, Ross-Zuj said she knows the group has been out fundraising.
“We’re proud of each of your efforts,” she said.
Amalgamated efforts
“It’s truly amazing. Our young people have been so successful,” Ross-Zuj stated.
Using that, the mayor commented briefly on the ball cap given to her by the Mohawks team – with the team’s new logo.
“They’ve successfully gotten through their first round.”
She thought the new logo rather interesting, in light of council’s recent discussion on the same subject.
Ross-Zuj said “our groups have almalgamated and this is our first Centre Wellington Mohawks team.
“On the back [of the hat] they put on the old Elora Mohawk logo and the Fergus Thistles logo and between them the words – old traditions.”
“So they’re moving on, very successfully,” Ross-Zuj said.
The mayor briefly donned the cap during the council meeting as she wished the best to the Mohawks.
“It’s great entertainment and they fill our arenas,” she said.
However, she added she wasn’t certain how they manage to play in the heat and still put on a really good show.
“If you get a chance to see them …” she advocated supporting the group as they head to the next level of play.
