Page 10 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 79

10 Issue #79 June 2019 www.sportsenergynews.com

Graduating from Swimming with the Sea Lions

By Victoria Klassen an individual sport, however it’s
quite the opposite. Without these
or Sam Beaumont Stidwill guys I would’ve never woken up
Fand Junbo (Frank) Wang, this at 5 a.m. to go to practice.”
is their last season as swimmers
Junbo (Frank) Wang, one
with the Sea Lions. In the fall they of Sam’s teammates, is also
will be heading off to university— graduating high school this spring.
but they will be taking with them He is deciding between attending
some treasured memories and life the University of Toronto and
lessons from their time with the
McMaster University. Junbo
Sea Lions.
started swimming with the Sea
Sam will be attending Carleton Lions two years ago and had only
University and studying learned to swim when he was 13.
commerce while swimming on He said the team breakfasts have
the varsity team. As a beloved Sea been a highlight of the program
Lions Pups’ coach, he might even for him.
make the trip home on weekends “Swimming in this team made
to coach.
my life more substantial and
Junbo (Frank) Wang and Sam Beaumont Stidwill. Photo chaddycreates
“I would like to thank all the meaningful. It regulates my daily
coaches who believed in me from timetable, so I will not waste me become a persistent person. I much later than most people, the
day one: Clayton, Tanya, Sheilagh, time on other stuff,” said Junbo. will not give up on anything when main lesson swimming taught me
and Cory I would also like to “Also, I formed friendships with I have some problems.” is to be humble and persevere.
thank my fellow teammates— my Canadian friends through Similar to Junbo, Sam will be Most people when the going gets
Kaden, Frank, Rory, and the rest swimming in this team. They
of the team for making the practice help me a lot, talk with me, and taking lessons he learned from the tough end up quitting, I tried to
Sea Lions with him to university.
much more enjoyable,” said Sam. teach me swimming technique and always look on the bright side and

“Most people think swimming is English. Finally, swimming made “As a swimmer who started work from there on down.”

Steve Ostler presents “Good Call Ref”

Riley Fitzgerald

June’s Good Call features a Cornwall native: hockey
referee Riley Fitzgerald. Five years ago, when he
was 12, Riley followed his two older brothers into the

officiating trade. Now 17 and a season out of the stripes,
he spent four years refereeing in Cornwall, Akwesasne,
Maxville, Cardinal, and most of the surrounding area.
He has worked games from Novice to Midget and from
house league to AAA. WE LOVE FOOTBALL

Riley’s favourite level to officiate was Bantam at the
AA-AAA level. He has several reasons for enjoying
this level. “At this age, the players are still getting used to body contact,” he says,
“and since some players have developed in size faster than others, the smaller players
are generally targeted for massive hits. Since the players are still learning how to hit
properly, some hits are illegal and can be dangerous. That keeps me on my toes and
paying attention to all of the players on the ice at all times.”
Another thing Riley likes about Bantam-aged players is he believes that this is the
level where many coaches and parents become realistic about their kids’ prospects in
the world of hockey. “Not everyone is destined for the NHL,” he says.
Currently, Riley is taking a year off from the rink as he focuses on grade 12 and
graduating.
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