EVENT & COMPETITION SCHEDULE
RANT N' ROAR - DAY THIRTEEN
A FATHER-DAUGHTER BOND AT THE CANADA SUMMER GAMES
Mike Summers and his daughter Charlie are having a first for their family. They are getting to represent their province together at the 2022 Niagara Canada Summer Games.
The 2002 Canada Summer Games is Mike’s ninth games experience. Since 1983 he has attended the Games in multiple roles as an athlete, and official, and mission staff. As an athlete he competed as a boxer, and as an official he loved attending the Games because he could see it was also a highlight for the athletes. And, his enjoyment of being part of a team to help athletes compete at their highest level has brought him back as mission staff for the fifth time, this time with rowing as his sport.
Like her father, Charlie is starting her Games experience as an athlete, but with the athletics team. Her long time love of track and field combined with the need to succeed in the sport, has led to one of the highlights of her sports career. Coming from such a successful athletic family, they definitely helped her set the bar high and play a large role in her being at the Canada summer games. So, Charlie was over the moon when she found out she made team NL and “then finding out that my dad would be up there the same week as myself made it even more exciting,” said Charlie.
It means absolutely everything for both of them to be at the Games together. Even though her dad is at the Games with a different sport, it is still comforting to her to have him nearby. “I have always looked up to him in many ways especially when it comes to sports so having him be able to see me compete at such a high level makes this experience that more special,” said Charlie.
For Mike, it is especially rewarding and a proud father moment to be in Niagara with Charlie. After seeing Charlie train and compete for years in many different sports “the ability to see her represent the province of Newfoundland and Labrador makes me very proud,” said Mike.
ATHLETE PROFILE: SUSAN POLACK -FINLEY
16-year-old rowing athlete Susan Polack-Finley is attending the 2022 Canada Summer Games for the first time. She has been on the water at Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course as part of the Eight with Coxswain and Quadruple Sculls races.
She took time out of her day out of her day to tell us what has been great about the Games.
“Meeting athletes from all over the country, and the atmosphere is amazing, and just having the chance to compete.”
Chef's Corner
The chef team and mission staff gathered for a great night out with our coaches and managers for some great food at a local restaurant. To show our appreciation we presented them with a small token of appreciation with a Team NL swag item.
Our chef team and most of our mission staff made an appearance at the mission night hosted by Team New Brunswick, Team British Columbia, Team Manitoba, and Team Nunavut. It made for a late night, but everyone enjoyed themselves singing some karaoke under the stars. We scanned the song list, picked a song that we liked and dared to get up on stage. We may not be the best singers but enjoyed the experience with several of our mission staff friends!
Today, I made it out to support our athletics athletes who competed in both A-final and B-final events. I also took some time out of visit golf again and take in a softball game. So glad to see many of our athletes achieve personal bests. Tomorrow, Premier Andrew Furey will be in Niagara to meet our athletes. I am happy to show him around Niagara Place, 2022’s Canada Games premier festival site, and take in a soccer game, and see our athletics athlete with him.
Golfers have good day on course
Round 3 of the golf event for the Canada Games is complete for Team NL. Ryan Holwell, shot an even-par 72 to stand in 4th place, only 1 stroke out of medal contention. Ethan Efford had a fabulous round shooting a 5 under par 67 to move up 5 spots tied for 7th. after day 1.
On the female side, Sanjana Guillipali shot 88 to move up 2 spots to 18th and Paige Allen slipped into 20th after a tough 102. Team NL continues to enjoy the beautiful Legends On the Niagara golf course and the amazing hospitality of the staff and volunteers.
Volleyball (Female) loses heartbreaker
Our Women’s Volleyball Team lost a heartbreaker today 3-1 to Nova Scotia in the Qualification Round. They will continue their Games competition tomorrow at 12:30 at Canada Games Park.
With some time to regroup and reflect we have no doubt these ladies will be in top form tomorrow! We are so proud of you.
Volleyball (male) players pick up another win
Our male volleyball team started their day off getting prepped for their big game against NS this evening. They got together for a practice session this morning and then they viewed video footage of previous games. The boys were both mentally and physically ready for their competition today.
Team NL outplayed Team Nova Scotia and came out on top with a 3-1 win! It was a great competition filled with solid blocks, powerful hits and some very excited players and fans. Team NL takes on Team Alberta 10:30 tomorrow morning in the quarter finals. Let’s go Team NL!!!
Soccer (Female) enjoy non-competition day
The Female Soccer Team is enjoying their final non-competitive day by visiting various sporting venues to support other NL competitors. Meeting fellow athletes, pin collecting, or just enjoying the company of their teammates would be a common theme today!
All the coaching staff have been very impressed with these special young ladies, and especially proud of how they have represented our province! They have all been great ambassadors!
The team will take to the soccer field on Saturday, August 20th at 10:00 am against the Yukon, followed by a match against Saskatoon on Sunday, August 21 at 8:30 am. Let’s Go Girls!
Diver joins Team NL at Brock for competition
Today at Brock pool, Team NL diver Merrick Noel completed their training for tomorrow’s 1M competition. Merrick, Jose, and, Jason joined us for their first day at Athletes village after starting competition in Etobicoke.
They had a great day, after there training session taking in some volleyball and athletics and cheering on there Team NL teammates. Good luck tomorrow Merrick!
softball (male)
It was a big day at the softball diamond as NL was in two must win situations in order to get themselves into a medal position and delivered. In the first game against Team Saskskatoon, Mitchell Whelan continued his superb pitching and Adrian Green, aka Greener hit a massive solo homer in the 6th inning to put NL on top 3-2 in a tight 2-2 contest.
In the second contest against Manitoba NL jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning as Liam Shea continued his hot stick with a leadoff double to start the game and later scored. Marcus Pittman started and pitched his best game of the tourney. Several players had multi-hit games in the 11 - 0 win. Team NL will now play team Saskchewan in the 3-4 playoff game tomorrow at 1:30 (EST).
Rowing
Team NL rowers had a great day of competition in the B finals today with a 1st place finish in the Woman’s singles, Women’s lightweight doubles and Women’s doubles. We had a second place finish in the Women’s fours!
The women's lightweight doubles beat the sixth place time and had a personal beast in the singles. The male fours also had a personal best in their race.
road cycling
Our road cyclists were training for the big Criterium occurring on Saturday. We managed to get an action shot of Head Coach Mick Cutler with all the athletes in tow (in no particular order because they were way too fast!): Leah Dalton, Isabel Martin, Amber Critch, Cole Layden and Roughan Gaetz! A friend of the Team NL road cycling team was also along for the ride, and we wish them luck as well!