The Francois sisters at Paul Kane High School recorded podium finishes at the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association cross-country championships last Saturday at Vermilion Provincial Park.
In the junior girls’ 3,000 metres, Hayley Francois placed second overall with a time of 13 minutes and 14 seconds. The winner was Claire Sumner of the Western Canada Redmen of Calgary at 12:52.
Rachel Francois was the third fastest finisher in the senior girls’ 6,000 m at 16:47. In first place was Ellen Pennock of the Henry Wise Wood Warriors of Calgary at 16:14. The runner-up was Maria Bernard of the Bishop O’Byrne Bobcats of Calgary at 16:39.
At the Edmonton zone provincial qualifier, Hayley was the top Grade 10 female at 11:57 and Rachel was the fastest Grade 12 female at 18:14.
The following St. Albert athletes also competed at provincials.
Adeline Maunder, Paul Kane: 10th in junior girls at 14:18.
Viveca Robinson, Bellerose: 63rd in senior girls at 21:11.
Aaron Weicker, Paul Kane: ninth in the senior boys’ 6,000 m at 23:05.
The St. Albert Slash started their road trip to New England in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over The College of the Holy Cross Crusaders.
The Slash dominated the first period, as Jessica Kampjes and captain Melissa Kueber had numerous chances but failed to score. Kate Lumley also hit the post twice before the Crusaders converted a second-period power play.
Kampjes evened the score with a short-handed tally to cap off an end-to-end rush.
Sabrina Flemming notched the game winner on the power play midway through the third. Kueber and Deanna Morin drew assists.
Chloe Sanderson (16 saves on 17 shots) and Emily Mitchell (17 saves) split time in net.
Thursday against the Massachusetts Boston Beacons the Slash won 3-1. After weathering an early Slash onslaught the Beacons beat Mitchell with a hard shot from the slot. Morin replied with the Slash shorthanded after out-battling a defender at the St. Albert blue line and then froze the goalie with a nifty deke.
With a penalty about to be called and an extra skater on the ice, Karly Heffernan sniped the eventual game winner. Flemming and Angela Mason assisted on the goal.
Charity Price rounded out the scoring on the power play late in the first period. Assists went to Kampjes and Matana Skoye.
Mitchell went the distance in net while stopping 23 shots.
The Crusaders and Beacons hail from the East Coast Athletic Conference.
This weekend the Slash are playing for medals in the Assabet Valley U19 Invitational Tournament. Games are against NAHA White, Ontario Hockey Academy Gold and Assabet Valley in pool play.
Monday the Slash are in Newport, R.I., where they will face-off against the Salve Regina Seahawks.
Meanwhile, in the Alberta Major Midget Female Hockey League, the Slash are 7-2-1 for second place in the north division. The host team for the 2011 Esso Cup national female midget championship, April 17 to 23 at Servus Credit Union Place, resume league play next weekend.
The St. Albert High Skyhawks failed to score a touchdown for the third game in a row in metro Edmonton high school football.
The last game before the Carr conference playoffs for the offensively-challenged Skyhawks was Thursday’s 51-0 throttling by the Bev Facey Falcons at Riel Park field. The Falcons (5-0 league; 8-0 overall) tacked up 10 points in the first quarter, led by 20 at halftime and by 41 after three quarters.
The blowout started with a 22-yard TD strike and a 25-yard field goal. The Falcons also fumbled the ball away at the Skyhawks’ 24 and 12-yard lines.
Starting quarterback Matteo Sistito was picked off at the Skyhawks’ 46, which led to a three-yard TD early in the second quarter. They Falcons added a 17-yard field goal after recovering their own kickoff.
The first time the Skyhawks moved the chains was with 2:49 left in the first half, but a minute later they turned the ball over at the Facey 46.
The first half ended with a couple of first downs by the Skyhawks before the drive stalled at the Facey 44.
The second pick thrown by Sistito was returned about 25 yards into the end zone with 7:38 left in the third quarter. Before quarter time, the Falcons scored TDs with an 11-yard run and a 36-yard catch and run.
A change at quarterback saw Mike Spagnolo at the controls and he was picked off at the Skyhawks’ 28, which led to a 38-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. A two-yard TD run rounded out the scoring.
In Tuesday’s opening playoff round the fourth-place Skyhawks (2-3 league; 3-3 overall) huddle up against the fifth-place Austin O’Brien Crusaders (1-4 league; 2-5 overall). Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Riel Park. Admission is $5. The winner has a semifinal date Friday against the Falcons, winners of three straight Carr championships. Last year’s tier I provincial finalists are currently ranked second in Alberta. Game time is 5 p.m. at Clarke Park.
