Charlie’s in charge for Highlanders
By Mark Bryson
KITCHENER – Charlie Bringloe is eager to commence the next stage of the learning process – both in the classroom and on the volleyball court.

The Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary student will continue his schooling next year at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, B.C., where he’ll play for the WolfPack in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association.

The scholarship Bringloe agreed to during a September visit will also allow the left-side hitter to learn a few tricks of the trade from Brad Gunter, who in February was named the most valuable player in Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

Brad Gunter last year vs the Golden Bears in Alberta (Robert Photography)

“I’m really excited about it and can’t wait. It’s a beautiful school with a great volleyball team and they’ve got a great right side (Gunter) that I’m hoping will mentor me next year,” said the six-foot-six Bringloe, who was also recruited by Western and McMaster.

“I really didn’t know much about the team or school other than what I saw on a few YouTube videos but I just loved it. I felt right at home.”

With his future plans settled, Bringloe is able to focus on the present and leading the Highlanders to success in the Waterloo County senior boys league.

He did a wonderful job of that on Tuesday afternoon at Forest Heights, leading the Highlanders to a 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-23) win over the gutsy Trojans in the final regular season game for both teams.

Bringloe, who plays club ball with the London Fire, was on top of his game against Forest Heights and unleashed several powerful left-handed kills that turned the Trojans into spectators.

SJAM finished the season with an 11-1 record and will next see action on Tuesday in a playoff quarter-final game. Jacob Hespeler (11-1), Elmira (10-2) and WCI (9-3) will also advance to the quarter-finals while eight teams will compete in playoff qualifying games on Thursday.

SJAM hasn’t lost since falling 3-0 to Jacob Hespeler in the first game of the regular season and have only dropped four sets in reeling off 11 straight victories.

They also finished in second place at a tournament in London on the weekend that boasted a strong field.
Bringloe is hopeful even better things are around the corner.

Bringloe hitting for Team Ontario (photo contributed)

“I think we’re looking pretty good. We’ve got the mindset going that we want to win WCSSAA and CWOSSA and we want to be the team going to OFSAA,” he said.

“We have a few brand new players on our team this year and they’ve been improving every week and that’s really good to see.”

One of the new faces is Nedim Hodzic, a talented basketball player who doesn’t look out of place in the starting lineup.

Brett Parrott, Bruce Lynch, Tom Chong and Nikola Vasiljevic were also in SJAM’s starting six on Tuesday.

Forest Heights (7-5) is the reigning WCSSAA champion and finished seventh in the regular-season standings.

Cameron Heights, Grand River, Southwood, Huron Heights, Bluevale, Galt and Preston will also compete in playoff qualifying matches, while KCI, Waterloo-Oxford and Glenview Park are finished.
mbryson@therecord.com
Twitter: @BrysonRecord

Three WolfPack teams–Cheerleading, Swimming and Women’s Volleyball have taken up the District 73 (Kamloops-North Thompson) Movement Challenge for November.   The initiative is to get people moving and promote healthy exercise.  In fact, the Women’s Volleyball team is featured on the poster which is being circulated around the School District.  The Challenge culminates with Sports Day in Canada on November 29 th.

For the first time since the 2014-15 Canada West men’s volleyball season began, the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack will be playing a team not ranked in the CIS top 10.

The WolfPack put the capper on a four match homestand with a weekend series at the Tournament Capital Centre against the University of Regina Cougars. The teams will face off Friday and Saturday (Oct 31 and Nov 1).

Both teams are looking for their first win of the season. The Cougars have fallen in four straight. The injury plagued WolfPack haven’t won in six.

WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly (Allen Douglas photo)

“It is nice to have back to back home weekend after being on the road for the first two,” said Thompson Rivers head coach Pat Hennelly. “ We have had good battles with Regina in the past and I expect this weekend will be no different.”

The Cougars have some players among the top Canada West statistical leaders. Matthrew Lueck leads the league in service aces per set (0.83), Steve Carlson is fourth in hitting per cent (.415) while Jacques Borgeard is fifth in digs per set (2.33).

“We played Regina in the Mount Royal Tournament and it was a tough match,’ stated Hennelly. “ They have some good left side players and a couple of Australians.”

Brad Gunter (Andrew Snucins photo)

The WolfPack continue to work on their fundamentals: serving and blocking with the hopes of improving as the Canada West season continues.  “ We have had solid contributions from a number of players,” the WolfPack coach explains. “ I am looking for more players to come back off the injury list. We will still not have Brad Gunter (CIS Player of the Year, 4^th year, outside hitter, Courtenay, BC) for a couple of more weeks but Casey Knight (5^th year, outside hitter, Salt Spring Island, BC) came back with a vengeance and had a solid weekend against UBC.  He’ll get better with another week of practice.”

Casey Knight (Andrew Snucins photo)

The teams go head to head Halloween night at 7:45 pm and again Saturday (Nov 1) at 6:45 pm.

Hennelly with the South Sa-hali Elementary girls champion team of 2011

SIDE OUTS:  The WolfPack are hosting their annual elementary school tourney on Friday and Saturday. 10 local teams are taking part.  A big crowd is expected at the TCC both nights.

The matches will be webcast on http://CanadaWestTV.com.

The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s volleyball team closes out its first home stand of the young Canada West season this weekend (Oct 31-Nov 1).

The ‘Pack entertain the University of Regina Cougars in a pair of matches at the Tournament Capital Centre.  Friday’s match starts at 6 pm.

The WolfPack have a record of 2 and 4 while Regina is 1 and 3.

WolfPack head coach Chad Grimm (Andrew Snucins photo)

“We played them at the UBC tournament,” said Thompson Rivers head coach Chad Grimm “ They hosted nationals last year and had a good showing they have a good mix of veterans and newcomers, who will be looking to continue their momentum from a big win their last match against Winnipeg.”

The ‘Pack split their matches last weekend with UBC: it was the second straight time they went .500 after doing the same in Calgary.  Grimm is looking for his squad to be more consistent.  “Yes we are looking to put together back to back nights where our compete level is stable and our focus is consistent.”

Brianne Rauch (Andrew Snucins photo)

The coach says that has been the main focus in practice.  “We need to be able to focus consistently and find a way to compete when things aren’t coming easy to us and we aren’t playing at our top level.”

When he looks at his roster, Grimm says everyone has stood out. “ I think at some point, all of them have had stretches where they have been very successful. We just now have to find a way to bring that level night in and night out.”

Iulia Pakhomenko (Andrew Snucins photo)

TRU’s Iullia Pakhomenko (3^rd year, outside hitter, Donetsk, Ukraine) is third in the Canada West in both kills (84) and kills per set (.350).

Pakhomenko (centre) with teammates Julia Niemczewska (left) and Katarina Legutky (right) (Andrew Snucins photo)

Regina’s top two players statistically are Leah Shevkenek (2^nd year, setter, Calgary, AB) and Molly Wade- Cummings (3^rd year, middle, Regina, SK).   Shevkenek is second in assists per set (8.94) while Wade-Cummings is third in blocks per set (1.56).

The match on Saturday (Nov 1) will be at 5 pm start time.  Both matches will be webcast on Canada West television.

SIDE OUTS:  Saturday marks the beginning of a month long promotion involving the WolfPack and the TRU Bookstore.  An entry barrel will be set up at all of the WolfPack matches and games this month where people can win an amazing “Back the Pack’ gift set.

The set includes an Adidas Estadio Backpack, an Adidas large team hoodie and tee, an Adidas extra large women’s sweat pant, a water bottle, a coffee mug, a Frisbee, some WolfPack sun glasses and a WolfPack Silicon Wrist band.

The prize pack is courtesy the TRU Bookstore.

Penticton meet has Sarah McChesney seeing orange

• by    Kevin Campbell – The Northern View

It’s a big leap from an amateur swim club to a university varsity team, but Sarah McChesney is successfully going with the flow so far at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).

And that includes a new wardrobe.

“The one thing I’ve had to get used to is the orange … orange everything – shirts, pants, swimsuits, jackets and hats. As a [Charles Hays] Rainmaker I grew up wearing green and gold. Orange doesn’t match with anything,” she joked in an email from Kamloops.

WolfPack swimmer Sarah McChesney (Andrew Snucins photo)

Ten different Top-10 finishes at the recent Penticton Iron Pentathlon swim meet gave the TRU Wolfpack member a seventh-overall placing in the women’s triple pentathlon format from Oct. 17-19.

McChesney swam to a fifth-place finish in the 100 freestyle – her best finish – and had two sixth-places – in the 100 breaststroke and 200 freestyle, two seventh-places, two ninth-place swims and three 10th-place finishes.

“Everyone did well, but I was most surprised with Sarah’s butterfly,” said TRU head coach Brad Dalke.

“She has a lot of potential on that particular stroke.”

“I guess Brad saw something in my fly that he likes. So right now we are focused on starts and turns and feeling the water better,” said the swimmer.

McChesney had no reservations about describing her leap to post-secondary varsity status.

“The past meet I just competed in was hands down the toughest swim meet I have ever swam in my life,” she said.

“First off, we swam straight through. This means that we were not rested or tapered at all … This was not a meet necessarily for performance but just a test to see how hard I could push my body. Our goal for the weekend was to come within three per cent of our best times,” said McChesney, adding that she swam in 15 competitions in different strokes in three days, a gruelling schedule for any swimmer.

McChesney was the top-ranked female member of the Wolfpack after the meet and Jagdeesh Uppal finished in 12th to be the top men’s finisher for TRU.

“The team had an outstanding start for this time of the swim season. Sixty per cent of our swims at the meet were within three per cent of our lifetime bests. This is outstanding given the volume of training our team is going through right now,” said Dalke after the meet.

Despite the initial adjustment period for McChesney, she enjoys bettering herself through the increased competition.

“Since we train with the [Kamloops] club I am able to train with many people who push me further than if I were to be training back home,” she said.

Next up for McChesney and the Wolfpack is the Cascade Speed Meet in Calgary from Nov. 7 – 9.

 

The opening weekend of Thompson Rivers University WolfPack basketball is always an a special time. But this year, there’s something even more exciting.

The second night of play between the WolfPack and the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves on Saturday, November 8 th has been deemed “TRUly United Night”.

“TRUly United” the catchphrase of an effort which combines the fundraising efforts of the existing TRU United Way campaign and the TRU ‘I give’ campaigns.

Proceeds of a 50/50 draw and the gate receipts will go towards both programs.

WolfPack Athletics and Recreation Director Ken Olynyk

“The interesting part of this years United Way night will be that all the money raised will be matched by a special donor,” says TRU Athletics and Recreation Director Ken Olynyk, who is also a member of the university’s United Way committee.

“The proceeds from the 50/50 draw will be split between TRU “I Give”and “TRUly United”, he said.  “Those moneys will be matched.  We are splitting the proceeds between the two groups because both are important.”

Game times that night at the Tournament Capital Centre are 5 pm for the women and 7 pm for the men.

That night is also TRU Basketball Alumni night where there will be special events planned for them.  Following the game, alumni will be invited to go to Heroes Pub at the Campus Activity Centre.

Volleyball players Kaitlin Lomas (left) and Katarina Legutky (right)

Opening night for the WolfPack basketball teams is Friday, November 7 th against UNBC.  For the women’s game, partial proceeds from the gate will go the the CIS “Shoot for the Cure” initiative which sees all teams contributing to the CIBC Run for the Cure.

Volleyball players Cole Keddie and Doug Groenndijk

It is also recreation night where special promotions are planned for students involved in the TRU Recreation program. In addition, there will be a demonstration by the “Freeze Athletic cheerleaders”, TRU Respiratory Therapy students will be doing a fund raising 50/50 and the national anthem and introduction of the starters will be accompanied by the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets.

Tip Off Friday will be 6 pm for the women and 8 pm for the men.

The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s volleyball team served up a Halloween treat for their fans at the Tournament Capital Centre on Friday (Oct 31).  The WolfPack won their third match of the Canada West season.

Like all the other match victories, it came in five sets.  This time the University of Regina Cougars were the victims. The scores were 25-22,22-25,25-18,126-25,15-6.

The WolfPack move to 3 and 4 on the season.  Regina falls to 1 and 4.

Chad Grimm during a time out in this match (Allen Douglas photo)

“I would like to get the win in a little earlier,” chuckled WolfPack head coach Chad Grimm about another five set victory. “ Credit to the girls. We lost a couple of people and just found out this morning that both Kaitlin (Lomas, 2^nd year, middle, Ponoka, AB) and Morgan (Kolasa, 2^nd year, middle, Calgary, AB) couldn’t play.  I spent the morning throwing together lineups without a middle blocker.   I thought the girls after they found out what their jobs were, they moved in and played the game.”

Morgan Kolasa (Andrew Snucins photo)

Lomas and Kolasa both suffered injuries. Its not known when they will return.

Iuliia Pakhomenko digs (Allen Douglas photo)

TRU was led again by Iuliia Pakhomenko (3^rd year, outside hitter, Donatsk, Ukraine). She had 33 kills in 66 chances with 11 digs and a block assist.  Those 33 kills was one off the Canada West record of 34 held by Genevieve Lamarre of Manitoba who set it against Saskatchewan on February 7, 2004.

Tynelle Neufeld with the set (Allen Douglas photo)

Tyneille Neufeld (1^st year, outside hitter, Winnipeg, MB) had 11 kills in 32 chances with two assists, nine digs and a solo block. She was named the TRU Bookstore/McDonalds “Leader of the Pack” Player of the match.

Tyneille Neufeld (Andrew Snucins photo)

“ She came out and did a great job,” said Grimm of Neufeld. “ Not only passing the ball but hitting as well. She showed a lot of grit for starting her first match of the year. Same as Kat (Katarina Legutky, 3^rd year, outside hitter, Calgary, AB).  She had come in but never started.  They both did a great job.”

Katarina Legutky (Andrew Snucins photo)

Legutky had seven kills in 22 chances with two assists, three service aces and a block assist.

Kara Twomey in this match (Allen Douglas photo)

Kara Twomey (3^rd year, setter, Winnipeg, MB) had 48 assists.

Neufeld and Brianne Rauch block (Allen Douglas photo)

Regina was led by Michelle Sweeting  (5^th year, middle, Maryield, SK)who had 17 kills in 31 chances.

Tori Glynn (4^th year, outside hitter, Prince Albert, SK) had 11 kills in 37 opportunities while Chesley Ziokowski (5^th year, outside hitter, Weyburn,SK) had 11 kills in 24 chances.

Leah Shevkenek (2^nd year, setter, Calgary, AB) had 41 assists for the Cougars.

Krista Hogewoning and Neufeld risk collision to make the save (Allen Douglas photo)

The two teams will go at it again on Saturday (Nov 1) starting at 5 pm.  The WolfPack have had trouble sweeping teams this year and Grimm admits it will be the ‘acid test’ on Saturday. “  That is what we need to start doing. We need to focus two nights in a row and getting the job done two nights in a row.  We have been over it a bit with the girls this week.  That will be the next step for our team. I expect us to come out with more tenacity.”

The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack feel a little like “Charlie Brown” on Halloween.
Both got a rock.

The WolfPack saw their winless streak extend to seven as they were beaten in straight sets by another winless Canada West team—the University of Regina Cougars. The scores on Friday (Oct 31) at the Tournament Capital Centre were 27-25, 25-22,25-21.

WolfPack head coach Pat Hennelly (Allen Dougas photo)

“This was easily our worst match of the season,” lamented Thompson Rivers head coach Pat Hennelly. “ I hope our guys pride will check in here soon.”

Stu Richey and Jordan Foot block in this match (Allen Douglas photo)

“It was good concentration by our team,” stated Regina head coach Greg Barthel. “ I thought they paid attention and stuck to a good plan. It seemed to work for us.”

Regina—now one and four—was led by Andre Borgeaud (4th year, outside hitter, Brisbane, Australia) with nine kills in 24 chances. He added nine digs and two block assists.

Matt Lueck (4th year, outside hitter, Regina, SK) had eight kills in 20 chances with four digs.

Nic Balazs (Allen Douglas photo)

Dalton Wolfe (1st year, setter, Moose Jaw, SK) had 33 digs. Barthel thought he was the top player for the Cougars in this one.

Blake Majcher played libero in this match (Allen Douglas photo)

TRU was led by Casey Knight (5th year, outside hitter, Salt Spring Island, BC) with 13 kills in 39 chances with three digs and two block assists.

Jordan Foot serves (Allen Douglas photo)

Daniel Eiekland Rod (3rd year, middle, Oz, Norway) had seven kills in 24 chances with four digs and two block assists.

Graham Stoliker (4th year, setter, Surrey, BC) had 23 assists.

Isaac Smit (Andrew Snucins photo)

Isaac Smit (1st year, libero/outside hitter, Kelowna, BC) was named the TRU Bookstore/McDonalds “Leader of the Pack” player of the match. He had three kills in seven chances with a dig.

“The best guy out there was Isaac Smit,”says Hennelly. “He was keeping his head up. He was smart. He is a great beach player and made some shots. Part of it is a testament to Isaac and part of it was it showed how bad our guys performed tonight. I don’t even know what to say about what is going to happen tomorrow.”

The two teams will conclude their weekend series on Saturday (Nov 1) with at 6:45 pm match at the Tournament Capital Centre.

WolfPack first year players dress up for Halloween

SIDE OUTS: Saturday marks the beginning of a month long promotion involving the WolfPack and the TRU Bookstore. An entry barrel will be set up at all of the WolfPack matches and games this month where people can win an amazing “Back the Pack’ gift set.

WolfPack Baseball players dressed for Halloween.

The set includes an Adidas Estadio Backpack, an Adidas large team hoodie and tee, an Adidas extra large women’s sweat pant, a water bottle, a coffee mug, a Frisbee, some WolfPack sun glasses and a WolfPack Silicon Wrist band.
The prize pack is courtesy the TRU Bookstore.

The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s basketball team finished their 2014 exhibition season with a big test.

The WolfPack were in Spokane Washington on Saturday (Nov 1) to take on the NCAA Division I Gonzaga Bulldogs
.
The Bulldogs downed the WolfPack 95-69. It was Gonzaga’s first exhibition game of the year. The WolfPack finish their preseason with three wins and three losses.

WolfPack head coach Scott Clark (Andrew Snucins photo)

“We hung in there for most of the night,” said WolfPack head coach Scott Clark. “Except for a couple of minor stretches. We are now getting ready for the start of the season.”

Brett Rouault (Allen Douglas photo)

Brett Rouault (5th year, guard, Vernon, BC) led the way with 19 points for Thompson Rivers. The ‘Pack tariled 46-28 at the half.

Reese Pribilsky (Andrew Snucins photo)

Reese Pribilsky (4th year, guard, Victoria, BC) had 18 points. Josh Wolfram (4th year, forward, Kamloops, BC) contributed nine rebounds.

Josh Wolfram (Andrew Snucins photo)

Thompson Rivers will open up their 2014-15 Canada West season on Friday, November 7 th against the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves. Tip off at the Tournament Capital Centre will be 8 pm. That game will be seen on Canada West Television.

The WolfPack volleyball teams held autograph sessions during their sweep of the Regina Cougars in Canada West action on Saturday (Nov 1). The sessions were held on the same day that the Men’s team held their annual Elementary school tournament. South Sa-hali won the girls division with the boys being won by Barriere.

The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s volleyball team has hit the .500 mark for the first time in over three seasons.

The WolfPack are now 4 and 4 after sweeping the University of Regina Cougars.  On Saturday night (Nov 1) at the Tournament Capital Centre, Thompson Rivers won 3-0.

The scores were 26-24, 25-19. 25-22.   Regina falls to 1 and 5.

WolfPack head coach Chad Grimm (Allen Douglas photo)

“It is important moving forward that we win on back to back nights,” said Thompson Rivers head coach Chad Grimm. “  It is the first time that we have come out with two great performances. Yesterday, it was a gritty five setter. It was ugly but we won. I thought tonight that our performance tonight was a little smoother and a little better.”

The WolfPack were led for the second night in a row by Iuliia Pakhomenko (3^rd year, outside hitter, Donetsk, Ukraine).  She had 17 kills in 34 swings with three assists, two service aces, 11 digs, two solo blocks and one block assist.

On the weekend: she had 50 kills in 100 opportunities with 22 digs, four assists, 22 digs, two solo blocks and two block assists.

Iuliia Pakhomenko with the kill (Allen Douglas photo)

“When she is on her game she is really hard to stop,’ Grimm stated. “ She hits the ball at a lot of different angles and a lot of pace.  She has that competitive fire and take a swing when it counts.”

“I am just doing what I have to do, Pakhomenko said about her weekend performance. “ I just love to play volleyball.”

“This was a big challenge for us,” she added about the weekend sweep. “We seem to have had bad luck losing the second match the last few weekends.  This time, we put everything together. It feels great to achieve this goal of winning two in a row.”

Krista Hogewoning and Alyssa Wolf (Allen Douglas photo)

Grimm says while Pakhomenko has been superb in their first eight matches, other players are coming through too. “ Yesterday, we talked about Taneille (Neufeld, 1^st year, outside hitter, Winnipeg, MB) coming through. Today: Gabby (Fortin, 2^nd year, libero, Coquitiam, BC) started at libero because she came off the bench yesterday and did so well.  Taneille was struggling a bit today and I put Alyssa (Wolf, 4^th year, outside hitter, Surrey, BC) in and she did a great job offensively and passing the ball. She looked much more comfortable than yesterday.”

Taneille Neufeld (Allen Douglas photo)

Wolf finished with nine kills in 21 chances with five digs. She was named the TRU Bookstore/McDonalds “Leader of the Pack” player of the match.

Kara Twomey (Allen Douglas photo)

Fortin had four digs as libero while setter Kara Twomey (3^rd year, Winnipeg, MB) had 35 assists and six digs.

Gabby Fortin (Allen Douglas photo)

Regina was led by Michelle Sweeting (5^th year, middle, Maryfield, SK) with nine kills in 19 chances.  Cheslea Ziolkowski (5^th year, right side, Weyburn, SK) had seven kills in 27 opportunities and nine digs.   Leah Shevkenek (1^st year, outside hitter, Weyburn, SK)  had nine digs and 25 assists.

The WolfPack hit the road next weekend (Nov 7-8) as they visit the Brandon Bobcats.  Regina will host Mount Royal.

Tyneille Neufeld with the kill (Allen Douglas photo)

Next home action for Thompson Rivers is November 14 th at the Tournament Capital Centre when they entertain the University of Winnipeg Wesmen.

WolfPack women’s team signing autographs after match (Allen Douglas photo)

SERVICE ACES:  After the match, The WolfPack signed autographs for the 10 elementary schools who were at the Tournament Capital Centre for the WolfPack’s annual tournament. South Sa-hali won the elementary girls title while Barrier took the boys crown.

For the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men’s volleyball team, the turning of the calendar from October to November has brought with it, good fortune.

The WolfPack have won their first match of the 2014-15 Canada West season.  Playing before their home fans at the Tournament Capital Centre on Saturday (Nov 1), the ‘Pack downed the visiting University of Regina Cougars 4-1.

The scores were 26-24.25-20.27=29.28-26. The WolfPack are now 1 and 7 on the year while Regina falls to 1 and 5.

TRU coach Pat Hennelly says this match was quite a departure from Friday’s straight set loss to the Cougars. That was a match Hennelly described as the worst in school history since they joined CIS.

WolfPack coach Pat Hennelly (Allen Douglas photo)

“There was certainly a lot more focus,” said Hennelly. “ I have to give Regina credit. There were a couple of sets where we were well in the lead and they kept scrapping back.  I liked the fight we had as we came back from a bit of a deficit ourselves.  I thought we were lucky down the stretch.”

Tyler Pomietlarz (Andrew Snucins photo)

Hennelly tinkered with his line up from Friday. He inserted Tyler Pomietlarz (1^st year, setter, Kelowna, BC).   In his first Canada West start, Pomietlarz contributed 39 assists, eight digs and two block assists. He was named the TRU Bookstore/McDonalds “Leader of the Pack” player of the match.

Pomietlarz (centre) is one of three players from Kelowna on the ‘Pack (Andrew Snucins photo)

“ Tyler has been working hard in the gym, “ Hennelly stated. “ He has improved in his setting, serving, defense and blocking. It has been tough for him to get into the lineup because Denham O’Reilly (first year, setter, Langley, BC) has been doing such a great job coming in as a serving sub.  I felt it was Tyler’s time. He certainly used that opportunity. He looked solid throughout the match.”

Randy Grundmann with kill (Allen Douglas photo)

The WolfPack were led by Randy Grundmann (2^nd year, outside hitter, Winnipeg, MB). He had 21 kills in 38 chances with two assists, eight digs and three block assists.

Randy Grundmann (Andrew Snucins photo)

“Randy had a great match,” the TRU coach stated. “ He had 18 after 20 points. He kept getting big kill after big kill for us. He had lots of conviction and lots of power. It was nice to see Randy have a pop back night hitting .421.”

Regina was led by Andre Borgeaud (4^th year, outside hitter, Brisbane, Australia) with 17 kills in 42 chances. He added two service aces, seven digs and two block assists.

Matthew Lueck (4^th year, outside hitter, Regina, SK) had 13 kills in 26 swings with seven digs and two block assists. Dalton Wolfe (1^st year, setter, Moose Jaw, SK) had 35 assists.

Matt Krueger in this match (Allen Douglas photo)

Hennelly felt the victory relieved a lot of pressure on his club. “We have had three five set defeats. It has obviously been a physical drain. We have continued to go two a days. Robert Petry is our trainer and has done a great job with the guys. We still go twice a week in the gym similar to what Team Canada does during the World League and into the World Championships. It is an emotional drain coming off three five set losses.  No discredit to any of the teams we have played but I think we let a couple of those matches slip by.  We let nerves get the best of us.  That multiplies.  Happy to get the win of course. We are in a tough league. Any time you take it for granted, it will cost you.  As our team gets healthier—we have more than 14 guys at practice.  Lots of positives coming down the stretch.”

Casey Knight with the kill in this match (Allen Douglas photo)

Hennelly looks back at his 10 years at the helm of this squad and can compare this start to only one other time: in 2009.  “It was Gord Perrin’s second season. We had a pretty good squad but we had our ups and downs.  I believe that if you can push through adversity it will make you stronger.  If we were sitting at 4 and 2 going into this weekend, this match might not have meant as much and we wouldn’t have had to dig as deep.  It is always good to see the character of the guys come through and good to see which guys perform in these opportunities.”

He pointed to Jordan Foot (2^nd year, middle, Prince George, BC)  coming to become the third sophomore on the court along with Grundmann and Pomietlarz.   “They seemed to have a good connection and it was good to see.”

The WolfPack will head to Brandon for matches next weekend (Nov 7-8) while the Cougars will entertain Mount Royal.

Next home activity for Thompson Rivers will be the weekend of November 14 th and 15 th when the University of Winnipeg Wesmen pay a visit to the Tournament Capital Centre. Those matches will be seen on Canada West television.

Brad Gunter receives Ray Lepp Memorial Scholarship (Allen Douglas photo)

SIDE OUTS: Before the match, injured WolfPack outside hitter Brad Gunter (4^th year, Courtenay, BC) was awarded the Ray Lepp Scholarship by Jackie Toews of Volleyball BC.  Gunter-the CIS Player of the Year for 2013-14 is the second WolfPack player to win the honor. The first was Gord Perrin, who is now a member of Canada’s Senior Men’s National team and plays professionally in Turkey.

Randy Grundmann, Casey Knight and Isaac Smit

The WolfPack players also signed autographs during the women’s match as part of hosting their annual Elementary tournament.  South Sa-hali won the girls title with Barriere taking the boys.

The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have been going to the Central Okanagan a lot over the last few years to recruit top athletes.  The WolfPack men’s basketball team is the most recent team to delve into that area for a top player.

WolfPack recruit Jeff Tubbs

Head coach Scott Clark and the WolfPack are pleased to announce that 6’2” point guard Jeff Tubbs of West Kelowna (Mount Boucherie Secondary).  Tubbs will join the program effective September 2015.

Tubbs with Team BC (photo submitted)

Says Coach Clark: “He is a really quality person, student and athlete.  He represented BC on the Provincial U-17 team this past summer.  His best basketball is ahead of him.  He has a lot of room for growth.  He is a later maturing body. It wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t grow a bit more.  Having bigger guards is always good. I am a fan of that. It is good because you can do multiple things.”

WolfPack men’s basketball head coach Scott Clark

The coach adds “He can play multiple positions—he can move the ball up the court, he can make shots, he can run and play in the post. While he is classified as a point guard he is more of a well-rounded basketball player.  He can also defend multiple positions.   He is 6’2” but he can guard.  If he does what we have asked him to do to improve his strength and agility, you are looking at a guy who can defend multiple positions.”

Tubbs defends against Pitt Meadows at the BC “AAA” Provincial Championships last season (photo submitted)

Tubbs is a proven winner: MVP of his UBCO Heat club team in U-15 and U-16.  He is entering his third  year as captain of the Mount Boucherie Bears senior boys basketball club.  He averaged 15.5 points, 8.3 assists, 2.4 steals, 2.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.

Clark also likes Tubbs’ competitiveness:  “He has some leadership skills. Those will be improved upon in his grade 12 season and as he comes in here as a freshman and sophomore. By his second year here he can be in a position of leadership. I like that about him.”

Tubbs plans to take courses intended to get a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in psychology at Thompson Rivers. He looked a number of other Canada West universities before deciding to come to Kamloops.  “It’s a great campus and I loved the smaller class sizes,” he says.  The WolfPack have a great program and I am looking forward to playing my five years of university basketball under Coach Clark.”

With Team BC—Tubbs was team Captain and averaged 5.7 points, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.3 rebounds and 1.3 rebounds per game.

Tubbs with team BC last year-Rich Goulet was the coach (photo submitted)

His coach was longtime high school basketball icon Rich Goulet of Pitt Meadows.  “I really liked his demeanor as a player,” Goulet says. “ He was somewhat quiet off the floor but he engineered our team as the starting guard when he played.  His selection to the team was a surprise to many but in the end, he showed that he had what it takes to lead the provincial team…good ball handling, heads up play and vision on the floor, good passing and a good shot. He was also a very decent defensive player.”

Tubbs dribbles the ball up court (photo submitted)

Goulet adds that Tubbs is a legitimate CIS player. “I think he can play at this level and he will be a joy for Coach Scott Clark to coach. This (the signing) is a quite an accomplishment for Jeff.  You can attribute his dedication, perseverance and desire to learn as the reasons he has made it to this level.  I wish him the best and will be watching his career unfold.”

Tubbs on his home court (photo submitted)

Clark says Tubbs is the ideal WolfPack recruit for men’s basketball: “You want guys who want to improve and grow. They want to improve as students, in the community and on the court.  From that perspective, they crave coaching and leadership (what direction to go in).  When I watched him, I thought he possessed those characteristics. The coach who coached him in the summertime (Goulet) is very demanding.  I thought he dealt with that situation well.  I think that is a great fit for us because we demand certain things of our guys. I felt that he is a guy who wants to be coached and demanded and pushed in a positive direction. Those are the type of guys who are good fits for our university and our program.”

WolfPack volleyball red shirt and long time teammate and friend of Jeff Tubbs: Cole Hanson (Andrew Snucins photo)

DOUBLE DRIBBLES: Tubbs is a multi-sport athlete: excelling in baseball, soccer and volleyball. He is currently playing volleyball for Mount Boucherie’s senior boys team.   Last year, he was a teammate of current WolfPack volleyball red shirt Cole Hanson.

“We have been teammates and friends for years starting in minor baseball,” says Hanson. “Jeff is a very smart basketball player and a hard worker.  We have talked a bit since he has committed but I am not sure I had a great influence on him coming here,” he laughs.  “I am very excited to have Jeff as part of the WolfPack family.”

Tubbs’ highlights with the Team BC U-17 team are at: : http://youtube/HnVMtapVsqQ

Thompson Rivers WolfPack’s Iuliia Pakhomenko and The Saskatchewan Huskies’ Jordian Farahani and were named the Canada West 1^st Stars of the Week for their play over the weekend.

Pakhomenko was unstoppable versus the Regina Cougars, filling up the stat sheet with 50 kills in 100 opportunities with 22 digs, four assists, two solo blocks and two block assists over the two-game sweep.

Iuliia Pakhomenko (Andrew Snucins photo)

Meanwhile,Farahani recorded a clutch performance, scoring two goals in the Canada West final to lead the Huskies to their first-ever Canada West men’s soccer title.

Also honoured are Damien Ketlo (Lethbridge) and Jermele Campbell (Alberta) for the men, and Poonam Sandhu (UBC) and Jessilyn Fairbanks (Alberta) for the women.

WOMEN.

Pakhomenko makes the kill (Andrew Snucins photo)

Iuliia Pakhomenko led the Thompson Rivers WolfPack to a two-game sweep against the Regina Cougars over the weekend as the Kamloops-based squad continues to make a name for themselves in Canada West women’s volleyball.

The third-year outside hitter from Donetsk, Ukraine set the tone for the weekend with a staggering 33-kill outing on Friday, finishing just one short of the conference single-match record set in 2004.

Pakhomenko with the dig (Andrew Snucins photo)

On Saturday’s three-set victory, she provided an encore performance with 17 kills in 34 swings, to go along with three assists, two service aces, 11 digs, two solo blocks and one block assist.

Her weekend total was 50 kills in 100 opportunities with 22 digs, four assists, two solo blocks and two block assists.

WolfPack head coach Chad Grimm (Andrew Snucins photo)

“When she is on her game she is really hard to stop,” TRU head coach Chad Grimm stated. “She hits the ball at a lot of different angles and a lot of pace.  She has that competitive fire and she takes a swing when it counts.”

“I am just doing what I have to do,” Pakhomenko said about her weekend performance. “I just love to play volleyball.”

Pakhomenko in the air (Allen Douglas photo)

2^nd Star: #10 Poonam Sandhu, UBC (Field Hockey)

Poonam Sandhu made history this weekend as she helped her UBC Thunderbirds win their fourth straight CIS-Field Hockey Canada women’s championship on Sunday in Toronto.

With the victory, the Vancouver native became the first women’s field hockey player to ever win CIS five national titles (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014).

For her efforts, Sandhu was one of three T-Birds who were named Championship All-stars. Before the tournament began, the fifth-year player was selected to the CIS All-Canadian team.

3^rd Star: #5 Jessilyn Fairbanks, Alberta (Basketball)

Jessilyn Fairbanks of the No.3-ranked University of Alberta Pandas basketball team is the Canada West Third Star of the Week, following her performance over the October 31^st – November 1^st weekend.

Fairbanks, a fourth-year guard from Edmonton, was outstanding during Alberta’s season opening series, helping the Pandas to a sweep of the No.6-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies. She recorded 39 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 steal and was 15-17 from the free-throw line in the two wins over the Huskies.

During Alberta’s season opening win, a 64-57 decision on Friday, Fairbanks notched a game-high 22 points, while also corralling four rebounds, dishing out four assists and shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.

On Saturday night, she banked 17 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and one assist, while also shooting 10-12 free-throws, including nine consecutive in the fourth quarter.

MEN.

1^st Star: #4 Jordian Farahani, Saskatchewan (Soccer)

University of Saskatchewan captain and centre back Jordian Farahani led the Huskies to its first-ever Canada West Championship scoring two goals in the 4-2 win over the Alberta Golden Bears Saturday.

The two-time Canada West First Team All-Star scored in the 27^th minute on a long shot from nearly half to tie the match at one. In the 81^st minute, the Arts & Science student from Regina scored the game-winner on a header from a Brett Levis free kick. Farahani played all 90 minutes of both the Canada West semifinal and final.

2^nd Star: #33, Damien Ketlo, Lethbridge (Hockey)

Friday night, Ketlo shut the door, turning aside 35 of the 36 shots he faced in the ‘Horns 3-1 win over the Manitoba Bisons. He followed up that performance with a spectacular 40 save performance to lead the ‘Horns to a weekend sweep of the Bisons with a 5-2 win.

So far this season, Ketlo has made seven appearances in the Pronghorn crease and sports a 3.83 goals-against-average and a 0.906 save percentage.

3^rd Star: #16 Jermele Campbell, Alberta (Soccer)

Fifth-year striker Jermele Campbell is the Canada West Third Star of the Week following his performance at Canada West men’s soccer Final Four over the October 31^st – November 1^st weekend.

Campbell, who is from Edmonton, notched a pair of goals at the conference championship, contributing half of Alberta’s total production, as the Golden Bears captured a silver medal and a spot in the CIS championship tournament. He now has three goals in three playoff games this season, after finishing the regular season with three goals and nine points.

He scored his second of the playoffs during Alberta’s 2-0 upset win over the No.3-ranked UBC Thunderbirds, eliminating the defending champs, and sending the Bears onto the Canada West Final, as well as to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island for the CIS championship tournament.

In the conference Gold Medal match against host Saskatchewan, Campbell tallied the opening goal of the game, putting Alberta up 1-0, but Alberta would go on to earn the silver medal.

About Canada West Universities Athletic Association

Canada West is the premier athletic conference in the country and is home to champion student-athletes that excel on the field, in the classroom and in their communities.  As the winningest conference in the CIS with over 100 national championships in the past decade, Canada West and its 17 member institutions commit to a student-athlete experience where competitive excellence, scholarship and sportsmanship equally contribute into molding our future professional athletes and leaders. Find out more by logging on CanadaWest.org and following @CWUAA on Twitter.

The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Cross Country team are looking to finish their inaugural CIS season off on a positive note.

The WolfPack are sending a contingent to the CIS Cross Country Nationals which are set for Saturday (Nov 8 ) in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Thompson Rivers head coach Jack Miller says the preparation has been the same as what they would have done for a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association national race.  “The competition is going to be stronger of course,” he says. “We did do a race in Bellingham, Washington on Thanksgiving Day weekend and I would suggest that the field of that race would have been stronger than what we will see in Newfoundland in terms of depth. There were teams from the Pacific Northwest including Washington, Oregon, BC and Alaska with some outstanding runners. “

The coach says being a first year program in CIS: the main goal is not to finish last. “ I don’t want any of our runners to be the last ones. I am reasonably confident that it shouldn’t happen. The other thing is a bit of show: we want to look good and be good ambassadors for TRU.  The performance will come. But right now, we want to look smart, have good team spirit and be good ambassadors. I don’t have any doubt we will be.”

The WolfPack will be taking five men and five women to CIS Nationals.  On the men’s side: Evan Hall and Riley Kouwenhoven (Both Kamloops, BC), Ryan Pidhirniak (Coquitlam, BC), Conlan Spickerhoff (Williams Lake, BC) and Pablo Ulloa (Paris, France).

“We have two runners who will likely be together for most of the race (Evan and Ryan),” Miller explains. “Ryan is coming off an injury but is looking very strong.  He was second to Evan in the BC Championships. Evan is our best runner because he has had a lot of experience.  Riley and Conlan are both juniors and both up and coming runners. Pablo is one who has continued to surprize me. He has improved a lot and is very coachable.  I am happy with the men’s team.”

The women’s squad features the Miller sisters of Valleyview, Alberta: Alesha and Christa, Tiffany Adams (Lytton, BC), Melissa Ryeo (Chilliwack, BC) and Nicole Vermey (Kamloops, BC).

“Nicole is a first year student and she had an excellent race at the BC Championships,” says Miller. “She will probably represent BC at the National Cross Country championships as a junior.  Tiffany, Christa and Alesha are in their second year on the team.  Melissa is in her third year.  They are very strong. Alesha is having an excellent season. Tiffany came through with two clutch races in the second half of the season and that is why she is on the team.  The first couple of weeks she was seventh or eighth on the depth chart but she has really worked hard.  I think we have a very deep women’s team. We are in for a good show.”

Miller says the race is being run at what looks like a converted golf course.” There are areas where there used to be bunkers. It is a public park.  It is not flat and it is not overly hilly. It is perfect for us because we have trained on moderate hills and on grass. It is going to be an excellent course.”

The women’s race is 2 kilometer loop three times (6 km).  The men’s race is a 2.5 loop four times (10 km).  Miller says that is the world standard and it is looped for the benefit of spectators.

As far as the competition, Miller states:  “ I am not afraid .I know it will be tough.  The biggest challenges will be the weather and the distance that we have to travel to get to St. John’s Newfoundland.  We spend a whole day travelling. “

The WolfPack are leaving Wednesday (Nov 5) so they can get an extra day to acclimatize themselves for the Nationals.  “We should be mentally ready and the time zone change shouldn’t be a factor,” Miller explains. “And in the final analysis, when the gun goes off-the adrenaline gets going and you just run.”

Blake Majcher

TRU Wolfpack Men’s Volleyball

Brett Parker

TRU Wolfpack Men’s Basketball

Jordan Foot

TRU WolfPack Men’s Volleyball

Julia Niemczewska

TRU WolfPack Women’s Volleyball

Kaitlin Lomas

TRU WolfPack Women’s Volleyball