RANT N' ROAR - DAY SIX
TEAM NL TOPS PROVINCIAL MEDAL COUNT AT 2022 NIAGARA CANADA SUMMER GAMES
Team Newfoundland and Labrador athletes topped their provincial medal count in the first week of competition at the 2022 Canada Summer Games making coaches, family, and fans across the province proud. Team NL swimming athletes have achieved a record-breaking number of medals in the pool, one gold, five silver, and two bronze medals. Swimmers Chris Weeks, Thomas Pelley, and Nate Luscombe have had amazing swimming achievements at the Eleanor Misener Aquatics Centre.
Chris Weeks, who captured Team NL’s first gold medal at the 2022 Canada Summer Games, won three medals in various male swimming events – including winning his 50-metre butterfly race with a time of 24:53 in stunning fashion. Thomas Pelley won three medals in various male Special Olympics swimming events. Nate Luscombe won two medals in various para male swimming events, including a bronze medal on Day One of the 2022 Canada Summer Games, a first for Team NL.
When asked how it has felt to achieve so much success in the pool at the Canada Games in multiple races, knowing that this is a first for Team NL for Week One competition, Chris Weeks said “It feels great. I am very proud to represent our province at such a high level. It feels amazing to show off what Team NL has to offer.”His teammate, Nathan Luscombe, had much the same to say, “It is quite surreal. I feel quite proud. I get to see my hard work pay off.” And, Thomas Pelley also reiterated those feelings, saying “I feel really good. Winning medals is great for our province.”
Combined, these swimmers, have been competing for 17 years, and their discipline, and athletic achievements have been recognized. “I am so very proud of the individuals for their extremely hard work over the past number of years and as well as that of their home programs. Chris Weeks has been a member of the Mount Pearl Marlins for 4 years, Thomas Pelley 7, and Nathan Luscombe has been with the Gander Lakers for 4 years as well as the Grand Falls Windsor Gators for 2 years previous to that. It takes a village, working together, to make progress like this, families, swimmers, coaches, teammates, and swim clubs. The effort goes far and beyond the Canada Games, and I expect this is just the start of fabulous swimming careers for these fine athletes,” said Coach Duffy Earle.
For Duffy, she goes on to say that the Games have "been an exciting and uplifting experience for not only our teammates and coaches who are a part of Team NL, but for our entire swimming community.These swimmers have raised the bar for all sports in our province at a National level. Canada Games has been a great platform to display the quality of swimmers we have in Newfoundland and Labrador. Swimming should be a highlight of the 2025 Games in NL.”
For more information, see the press release.
Chef's Corner
As more of our Team NL athletes finished up their competitions today, and we get closer to closing out week one of Canada Summer Games, I am so thankful that all of our athletes have had such great experiences and had strong showings against some of the best athletes in the country.
Yesterday evening, I was lucky enough to be able to be poolside as three of our Team NL swimmers won and received medals for their A-Final races. It was a memorable moment for me. The ability for Team NL to have a record-breaking number of medals in the pool makes me so thankful for the tremendous coaches and managers for all their hard work in preparing their athletes to excel in the pool. Congratulations to the entire team. Well done!
I was able to see our Triathletes compete in mixed final Team Relay Race. I am looking forward to see how all of our athletes finish out the rest of their competitions.
Soccer (Men) battles hard
In their final match today against Northwest Territories, our male soccer team secured their first goals and their first win of the competition. The final score was 3-0 for Team NL with goals from Santiago Herrera, Luca Rotondi, and Finley Manning.
The team ended up finishing in 11th place, with one win and three losses at the 2022 Canada Games.
Basketball (Female) wraps up competition
Our Women’s Basketball Team wrapped up their Canada Games competition with an impressive 104-75 win over Team PEI to claim 9th place. They were firing on all cylinders today and finished the tournament with a 3-2 record.
Congratulations to this impressive group who have been excellent ambassadors for our Province. We are so proud of you!
Triathletes race final event
Our triathletes raced their final event today, squaring off in the Mixed Team Relay at Welland International Flatwater Centre. Heidi Perry led off our team and put in a solid effort, setting up the team in a strong position. Local athlete Max Bradwin joined our crew as an alternate to make up our fourth, and has now been adopted as an honourary member of Team NL.
Thank you Max! Grace Mack took the 3rd leg for the team and did a great job to set up our anchor, Alex Chislett, to bring the team across the line in 8th place.
Tennis team finishes time on the courts
Team NL pushed Team Saskatchewan to a deciding mixed doubles matchup to break a 3-3 tie but Liam Drover-Mattinen and Jasmine Rahman came up short losing to Keegan Rice and Teah Chevez. Saskatchewan wins 4-3.
Newfoundland and Labrador swept the boys singles and took the boys doubles matches with Liam and Declan Walsh winning singles, while Peter Drover-Crane and Aiden Drover-Mattinen taking the doubles. Our girls didn’t fair as well as dropping both singles and losing the doubles.
Basketball (Male) have Tough Game today
After a short turn around from a tough quarter final with Ontario last night our guys had a rough start today. The team turned it around in the second half yet it was not enough dropping one to New Brunswick 100 to 71.
Some solid play off the bench from Adam Goulding and Brayden McGrath were the bright points of the game with their rebounding and put backs, each had 10 points off the bench along with Bower Issacs getting his shot going, scoring 16 pts.
The team plays Saskatchewan tomorrow morning for 7/8 to finish off a strong week.
Mountain Bikers end competition at Twelve mile
Carter Stratton, Brandon Seaward, Braeden Peddle, our Mountain bike team, had their last competition of the Games yesterday at Twelve Mile Creek.
It all started off with a time trail on the modified XC course, which would set up the placements for the heats. Carter Stratton finished in 21st place, Braeden Peddle, 26th, and Brandon Seaward, 28th. Unfortunately, the boys were unable to advance from their first heats.
Everything they had was left in the mud of Twelve Mile Creek.
