News Detail
October Sports Update
Sports at Shawnigan get underway as soon as students are back at the School in September, and by late October, several of them are well into their respective seasons. In the case of some sports, like field hockey and volleyball, the end of the season is already in sight. We caught up with our teams recently for a rundown of what they’ve been up to so far.
Rowing
The rowing program is off to an excellent start to the fall season, having competed in regattas in Surrey on the Mainland, and Victoria on Vancouver Island, with a big one in Seattle coming up in early November, followed by the Head of Shawnigan on November 23.
Shawnigan rowers earned a pair of third-place results at the Head of the Nicomekl in Surrey on September 27, while learning some great lessons in a competitive environment. The School was even more successful at the Head of the Gorge in Victoria on October 18. Sam P. and Isabella P. placed second in the open/university double out of 12 boats, mostly rowed by athletes 19 and over; Isabella P., Alex F., Sophie W. and Alaia R. placed third in the senior girls’ quad; the girls’ U15 quad of Emily D., Camila V., Henley D., Gigi G. and Tegan K. finished third, and the U19 quad of Edie H., Liv C., Teifi D. and Sam P. finished fourth. Also placing fourth was the boys’ U19 quad of Steven D., Max V., Norman W., and Radu A.
Rugby
Our Grade 8 boys’ rugby team pulled off the double over St. George’s, capping it off with a comprehensive win on their home field. This is the first time that any of the long-standing Shawnigan coaches can recall the Grade 8 team winning a match over Saints, let alone two. Standouts included Joaco J., Waylon S., Owen J., Hardy Y., Harry P., and Mason N., who the coaches see as future First XV leaders. The team continued its undefeated season by winning gold at the Kamloops Sevens.
Squash
Shawnigan had some outstanding results at the BC Junior Open, which took place at Evergreen Squash Club in Vancouver on October 2-4. The event is one of six national junior selection events over the course of the season that will determine which players make Team Canada for the World Championships in Ontario next summer. Joelle K. and Anderson B., who already have international experience, have already been named to the Canadian National Junior Squad, from which Team Canada will be selected.
Joelle played up an age group and finished runner-up in the event, narrowly losing the final to the top-ranked junior in Canada, who is two years older than her. Anderson went in seeded seventh, but knocked out the third seed in the quarter-final and finished fourth in a strong U19 field.
Ice hockey
With three wins in their last four games, the U18 Prep girls have been playing outstanding hockey in the run-up to hosting the Kingstone Invitational Tournament at the Charlie Purdey Arena this week. Zoey C. leads the Canadian Sport School Hockey League with 13 assists and is third in the league with 16 points. Grace C. isn’t far behind with 11 points.
The Kingstone Invitational began on Thursday and features four teams from across western Canada, in addition to the Shawnigan girls: the Vancouver Island Seals and Thompson-Okanagan Lakers from the BC Elite Hockey League, the Notre Dame Hounds from Saskatchewan, and the Winnipeg Avros from Manitoba.
The U18 Prep boys have had a busy slate this month, with four games in four days from October 2-5, and three in three days from October 10-12, but they have played competitive hockey. Nolan B. is among the top defencemen in the league with eight points in seven league games, and forward Nigel A. also has eight points in seven contests.
The U17 Prep boys have four wins and two losses in league play, including victories in their last two games. Matthew M. leads the team with nine points, followed by Carson P. with eight, and Cache T. with seven. The U15 Prep boys are still looking for their first win, but Nate B. has been a bright spot with three goals in four games.
Field hockey
The field hockey program is moving in the right direction, says head coach Ms. Andi Conroy, as the senior team prepares to host the provincial AA championship tournament in early November. The team finished third at the Independent Schools Association championships, beating Glenlyon Norfolk School in a shootout for the bronze medal, claimed the “Baby Bridgman” at the Bridgman Cup tournament for winning the consolation bracket, and won the North Island championship last week.
The team went into Islands this week as the top seed from the North, hoping to qualify as the top seed for provincials. This is the end of an era for the Grade 12 players who have been building a solid legacy over their time at the School.
Volleyball
The senior girls’ volleyball team remains undefeated in league play, and has taken on some of the top teams in BC in recent tournaments, including the Brentwood Classic last weekend and the ISA championships this week.
The junior team has had a busy and successful season, with strong play from the experienced players and improvement and growth from those newer to the game. The team won its first tournament, and has had impressive results in league play. The ISA tournament is this weekend, followed by North Islands in early November.
Basketball
Players in Grades 10-12 are currently playing fall ball in the South Vancouver Island Basketball Association Run & Gun League to prepare for the senior boys’ high school basketball season beginning in December.
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Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
