Strathmore well represented at Summer Games

 Shannon LeClair – Times Reporter

 

The Alberta Summer Games took place in Peace River from July 19 to 25.  Strathmore had four boys head off to the games this year, two for lacrosse, one for baseball and one for football. 

Brady Morris and Cody Willis, both 14-years-old, took part in lacrosse for their zone. Morris has been playing for five years now and for Willis, it was his first year.  

“I thought it was amazing, it was so fun, how many people were there and what they all did, it was crazy,” said Willis. The boys spent four days in Peace River, playing a total of four games including the gold medal game.  

“They did absolutely fantastic. We went 4-0 and won the gold medal. Strathmore was well represented with Brady and Cody,” said Hal Morris, Brady’s father. 

Lacrosse can be a tough game. Fortunately there was only one injury during the four games.

“One of our biggest players broke something in his shoulder blade,” said Brady.  

The boys were presented with gold medals in the shape of Alberta. Both boys said they would definitely go back if they are given another chance. 

Logan Crooks, also 14, went to the Summer Games for baseball. Logan dreams of being a pro baseball player either for the Toronto Blue Jays or the Philadelphia Phillies, and having the chance to take part in the games was an exciting adventure. 

“The games were a lot of fun and a real good experience for him. He got to play in all four games. He pitched in two of them and played first base and field in the others,” said Jim Crooks, Logan’s dad and coach. The team won three games and lost one. Logan was the pitcher for the game the team won. Calgary won the games with the zone north of Edmonton finishing second. Logan hopes this will be a stepping-stone to play in other Baseball Alberta events in the future. 

“He will now take a couple of weeks off and start playing fall ball with the AAA Reds. Although he may be a little younger than the rest of the boys, it will be a good chance for him to gain some valuable experience playing high caliber baseball,” said Jim. 

On the weekend of July 10 and 11 the Bantam AA team played in the Tier V provincials. The boys played against Okotoks, beating them 21-8, winning the provincials. 

David Kuljanin, 15, went to the games for Zone 2 football. There were over 40 teens that competed for a place on the team, and Kuljanin was one of 35 picked. Kuljanin was also awarded an honorarium of $200 by the Strathmore Community Football Association, to help with costs incurred. Kuljanin’s team didn’t do as well they had hoped for at the games. Zone 2 was awarded the Ministers Cup for the best overall improvement from the previous summer games. 

The next Summer Games will be hosted in Lethbridge in 2012.