December Sports Update

Shawnigan went 3-1 in pool play, then defeated the Battleford Sharks 4-1 in the semifinal before beating South Alberta Hockey Academy 6-3 in the final. Zoe C. led the entire tournament with nine points, while Meera S. and Grace C. tied for second overall with eight points apiece. Zoe, Meera and Taya L. all tied for the tournament lead with five goals, and Grace’s six assists were also the most in the tournament. The goalies were also among the best in the tournament, as Aidyn C. had a shutout, a 0.50 goals-against average and a tournament-best .985 save percentage, and Alix W. had a shutout, a 1.35 goals-against average and a .946 save percentage.

 

“It was remarkable how every single player contributed to the tournament win,” Ms. Haggard said. “It was a strong performance from the entire team. We weren’t relying on one girl game in and game out.”

 

This was Shawnigan’s second trip to the Mandi Schwartz Tournament, following a seventh-place finish in 2023. The competition was extremely strong this year: two of the teams Shawnigan faced – Battlefords and the Edmonton Junior Oilers – are undefeated in their respective provincial leagues.

 

The team will try to carry this momentum into their next tournament, the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees Showcase on January 3-5, where they will see some new competition as one of only two teams from Western Canada, and the only one from the CSSHL. Shawnigan currently sits seventh in the CSSHL Female U18 Prep division with 10 wins and five losses, although most teams have played several more games than Shawnigan.

 

Our other teams have also been busy this fall: the U15 Prep boys hosted a CSSHL showcase in November and will host another in late January and early February, and the U17 Prep and U18 Prep boys have also played packed schedules. The U18 boys are looking forward to hosting the Robertson Invitational Tournament on January 9-12.

 

 

Shawnigan squash players have had a busy couple of months. In November, Eva G. finished sixth in a national level event in Edmonton at the Royal Glenora Club. Kaleb A. was runner up in the men’s B division at the University of Victoria open.

 

The School hosted two Squash BC silver events in November and December, with 25 students from the School’s squash program competing. Jasper C. won the boys' division 1 in November and was runner-up in the December event. Brian T. won his division in both events, and Markellan K. won his event in November.  

 

We are looking forward to the rest of the season’s events including the independent school championships in February and the national championships in April.

 

 

The senior boys’ basketball team got the season off to an excellent start, with a 4-0 record in the first week of play, which included winning the Wolverine Ice Breaker Tournament hosted by Edward Milne Secondary School in Sooke. The only 2A school in the draw, Shawnigan performed exceptionally against a field of 3A schools. Arthur A. was named a tournament all-star.

 

Last weekend, the senior boys finished third at Stelly’s Secondary’s Hoopin’ in the Hive Invitational, with two wins and one loss. Alan D., Ray W. and Ryland C. were all awarded Player of the Game honours along the way.

 

The junior girls’ basketball team won the Shawnigan Lake School Junior Invitational on December 6 and 7, clinching first place with a hard-fought win over Ladysmith. The team is hoping for more similar outcomes as the season progresses!

 

 

Figure skating is officially a 360 (arts and activities) program at Shawnigan, but our skaters competed against other clubs from across the region at the Vancouver Island Interclub Competition in Campbell River in mid November, and posted excellent results.

 

Lauren W. – Silver in STAR 5 Elements 

Wendy H. – Bronze in Open Elements

Joy O./Wendy H. – Gold in Open Team Elements

Aava N./Meissa P./Lyra L. – Silver in Open Team Elements

Sophia W./Adison L. – Bronze in Open Team Elements

Adison L. – Gold in STAR 9 Artistic Program

Joy O. – Gold in Gold Level Artistic Program

Sophia W. – Silver in Gold Level Artistic Program

Wendy H. – Bronze in STAR 8 Women's Freeskate

Joy O. – Bronze in Gold Level Women's Freeskate

 

 

Adventure Sports Term 2 is really "rock-ing" my world as we climb to new heights. This crew is diverse, adventurous, and keen to participate in new challenges. This program has evolved to now include outdoor bouldering at the nearby Duncan Boulders, one of Vancouver Island's premier bouldering locations. In order to get there, we must embark on a one-and-a-half-hour hike just to arrive at the crag. For some of us, hiking can be a new experience in itself, bringing us over rough terrain, through the forest, and even have close encounters with wildlife (a bear!). Once we arrive at the crag, there are many considerations we need to take before just sending it. We have to get a feel for what it is like climbing on real rocks, how earthly materials impact our grip, what our shoes are like on a small hold, how moisture impacts the routes, and setting ourselves up to safely complete the route. Bouldering is a life-long sport, and our students are just getting a taste of what it is like to be in the great outdoors participating in this challenging yet rewarding sport.

 

Not only are we getting outdoors to climb, but we are also building our skills at the Hangout in Duncan. This indoor bouldering spot has been a common place for us to visit in previous years, however this year they are getting a makeover! We took our dedicated Adventure Sports team this past week to the Hangout to offer some service work as they are in the final stages of completing their project. By picking up paintbrushes, installing flooring, and helping to clean the facility, we were able to give back to the Hangout, further building our relationship with them. Not only are our students improving their climbing skills at the Hangout, but they are also learning how to be members of a community that supports each other in their endeavors, and to not be afraid of a little hard work!