Local Sports for Thursday April 26

Thunder Bay Queens won their fourth straight at the national women's midget hockey tournament in Charlottetown, beating Halifax 5-2.

Jillian Langtry of Fort Frances did not figure in the scoring.


On the diamond, the Rainy River Voyageurs women's softball team defeated Vermilion 13-3.

Local Sports for Wednesday April 25

Jillian Langtry of Fort Frances had two goals and an assist in helping the Thunder Bay Queens to an 8-1 win over Saguanay-Lac St. Jean at the national women's midget hockey tournament in Charlottetown.

It's the Queens third straight win.

Langtry, a former member of the Fort Frances Muskies girls team, has 4 goals and 7 points in the tournament.




International Falls Broncos boys baseball team improved to 3 and 1 on the season with a 5-3 win over Eleveth-Gilbert.

Gunnar Anderson went 3 for 3 at the plate while Ben Humbert picked up the win on the mound, batting in three runs to help his cause.




Falls High School track teams clean-up at a meet hosted by the school yesterday.

The girls won all but three events to capture their third meet this season.

Lexi Owen, Breanna Shofner and Savannah Olson had double wins.

The boys beat out Bigfork to win their first meet of the season with Paul Skoglund, Cade MacKay and Kyle Askey winning events.

Local Sports for Tuesday April 24

Another individual award for the Rainy River Voyageurs women's softball team.

Brittany Johnson, a freshman from Montana, is the player of the week in the MCAC's northern division.

She went 8 for 15 with 5 RBI's, helping the Voyageurs to wins in 3 of four games.

Local Sports for Monday April 23

A member of the local air cadets squadron has earned a trip to the national cadet marksmanship championships.

Sergaent Keddie Brow of the 908 Rainy Lake Squadron finished fifth overall at a provincial event last weekend in Winnipeg.

He's the first local cadet to national berth.

Fellow cadets Flight sergeant Oryn Albanese was 23rd overall in the open category while Corporal Matthew Nowak was 9th in the junior division.




Missy Nelson of Devlin was the top runner among a group of district women competing in a half-marathon run in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Saturday.

Nelson finished in the top third of the field of nearly 16-hundred runners  and 23rd in her age bracket.

Cindy McKinnon of Fort Frances was 9th in her age division.

A total of 14 women from the district participated.




Two area volleyball teams were in the money at a volleyball tournament held at Fort Frances High School on the weekend.

The Gillons-Cougars squad of Fort Frances came second behind eventual champions Kenora's Young Guns.

"Here N Der," a squad made up of players from the local area and Saskatchewan was the winner on the consolation side.



Rainy River Voyageurs split a two-game set with Vermilion Saturday, winning 4-2, but losing the second 7-3.

Local Sports for Friday April 20

Falls High School girls track team has won its second straight track meeting

The girls were first out of 12 teams at the Titan Invitational.

Breanna Shofner earned wins in the 100 meter and 200 meter dash.

Lexi Olson in the 100 meter hurdles and Hailey Fentem in the high jump also had first place finishes.

Paul Skoglund in the 100 meter hurdles has the only win for the boys team who finished 5th overall.




International Falls Broncos boys baseball team has suffered its first loss of the season.

Broncos were shutout 4-0 by Warroad.



At the Dudley Hewitt Cup, the Thunder Bay North Stars beat Wisconsin 4-3 to advance to the semi-finals.

The loss eliminated the Wilderness from further play.




Borderland Soccer Association will begin its season May 22.

The Association will first hold player registration on May 1st and May 10th - 6 to 8 at Fort Frances High School.

Cost is $90.

Players must be at least 14 years of age to play in the men's division - 13 for the women.

Local Sports for Thursday April 19

Rainy River High School's Skylar Arpin and Courtney Hansen went five and oh to capture the senior girls double title at the NWOSSAA  badminton championships in Thunder Bay.

Their win advances them to next month's provincials in Stratford.

Bryson Skirton and Andre Emond of Fort Frances High finished 4th in boys doubles while Brady Coulson and Mark Bodnarchuk of Atikokan were winless in five games.

Tori Sikora and Connor Bujold of Fort Frances went 1 and 4 in mixed doubles.

On the junior side, Atikokan's Kiara Gannon captured the single girls title with a 5 and oh record.

Jamie Warren and Chloe Young of Atikokan were second in girls doubles play.




The Rainy River Voyageurs men's baseball team has swept the MCAC northern division weekly player honours.

Pitcher Reece Lanier was named pitcher of the week, throwing shutouts in both his appearances.

Shortstop Riley Acra was named player of the week, batting 11 for 21 with two doubles and a homerun.




At the Dudley Hewitt Cup in Thunder Bay, Wisconsin defeated Stouffville 5-2.

The Soo Thunderbirds defeated the North Stars 4-3.

Local Sports for Wednesday April 18

Four high school Badminton doubles teams from the Rainy River district will be challenging for NWOSSA titles in Thunder Bay today.

Fort Frances High School has Bryson Skirten and Andre Emond competing for the senior boys doubles title.

Tori Sikora and Connor Bujord are in mixed doubles.

Atikokan and Rainy River also are sending teams.

Winners advance to the provincial championships in Stratford in May.




Rainy River Voyageurs women's softball team split games with Northland Community College, winning the opener 6-1, but losing the second 9-6.

The games played in Baudette.

Meantime, a home game scheduled for today against Vermilion has been postponed until April 27.




Thunder Bay North Stars and the Wisconsin Wilderness lost their opening games at the Dudley Hewitt Cup in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay fell 2-1 to Stouffville in overtime

The Wilderness lost 4-3 to the Soo in overtime.




Falls High School girls track team has won its first meet of the season.

The team was first at a meet in Baudette.

Lexi Owen won a pair of hurdles events while the relay teams earned three first place finishes

Hailey Fentem in the high jump, Amy Auran in the pole vault and Savannah Olson in the shot put were also tops in their fields.

On the boys side, Falls High finished 3rd, with first place finishes by Tyler House in the 100 meter dash, Marco Griffith in the 400 meter dash and Paul Skoglund in the 110 meter hurdles.

Local Sports for Tuesday April 17

A Fort Frances man was among the 27-thousand to participate in yesterday's running of the Boston Marathon.

57-year-old Lorne Ricard competed the race in just over 4 and half hours which placed him in the middle of the field and 537th in his age category.




The Dudley Hewitt Cup gets underway today in Thunder Bay.

The host Thunder Bay's North Stars and league champion Wisconsin Wilderness represent the SIJHL against the Soo ThunderBirds and Stouffville Spirit.




International Falls Broncos girls softball team had its game with Lake of the Woods postponed.

The Bronco will try to get their season underway today with a home game against Hibbing.

Local Sports for Monday April 16

Donovan Taylor and Adam Stromberg went undefeated at a swim meet in Kenora on the weekend.

Taylor won in the 50 metre Butterfly, Backstroke and Breaststroke at a northwestern Ontario invitational.

Taylor and Stromberg ended up tied in first place in the 50 metre Free with an identical times

Taylor, Stromberg and along with Fort Frances Aquanaut members Reagan Danylchuk and Lyndsi Jo Wilson also earn northwestern Ontario swim awards.




Rainy River Voyageurs men's baseball team split games on the weekend with Northland College.

Saturday the Voyageurs lost the opener 4-3, before rebounding for a 5-nothing victory.

Sunday, they out slugged Northland 26-16 in the first game, but lost 15-5 in the second.



Rainy River Voyageurs women's softball team also earned a split Saturday against Hibbing, losing 2-1 in the first and winning 9-7 in the second.




Crossroads Tornadoes were winners of the Jim Oster Memorial grade 8 boys basketball tournament played at Robert Moore Saturday.

They beat Sturgeon Creek in the final.

St. Francis School captured bronze over the hosts Robert Moore.





A former member of the Fort Frances Muskies girls hockey program is part of a provincial championship team.

Jillian Langtry has a goal in the Thunder Bay's Sportop midget double A Queens win of the Ontario Women's Hockey Association title on the weekend.

The team now competes in the Canadian championship next weekend in Prince Edward Island.

Local Sports for Friday April 13

Steve Arpin gets ready for his first race of the year in NASCAR's Nationwide series today at Texas.

He was 14th fastest in practice yesterday.

Another practice goes this morning with the race tonight.

It can be seen on a taped-delay on TSN beginning at 9 p.m. or live on ESPN2 in the U.S. at 7 p.m.




Strong performances for the Falls High School track teams at their Bronco Booster Invitational held yesterday.

The girls team finished second overall while the boys were third.

Savannah Olson, in the shot put and discuss, Lexi Erickson in the 1600 meter run and Amy Auran in the pole vault earned wins for the girls.

Jason Pumper in the triple jump was the lone victor for the boys.




International Falls Broncos boys baseball team opened its season with a 9-1 win over Cherry.

Jackson Vollum went 3 for 4 at the plate with 3 RBI's.

Gunnar Anderson picked up the win on the mound.

The Broncos travel to Virginia today.

Local Sports for Thursday April 12

The season for the Fort Frances Lakers has come to an end.

The Wisconsin Wilderness scored a 4-3 win over the Lakers in Spooner in the seventh and final game of the SIJHL finals to capture their second straight league crown.

Henry Gutierrez, Byron Katapaytuk and Jordan Christianson replied for the Lakers.

Wisconsin goes on to the Ontario Junior A championships in Thunder Bay.




Rainy River district high school badminton players have earned several NorWossa titles.

Fort Frances High School players won in senior boys doubles and placed second in senior mixed doubles.

Atikokan placed second in senior boys doubles, and won in junior girls singles and junior girls doubles.

Rainy River badminton players won in senior girls doubles.

Winners advance to the NWOSSA championships to be played in Thunder Bay next week.




A pair of wins for the Rainy River Voyageurs women's softball team.

The Voyageurs defeated Central Lakes College in Brainerd, 4-3 and 10-6.




Rainy River Voyageurs men's baseball team split games against Vermilion Community College.

Voyageurs lost the opener 9-3, but rebound for a 13-0 victory in game two called after five innings.

Local Sports for Wednesday April 11

It's come down to one final game in the SIJHL championship series

Fort Frances Lakers and Wisconsin Wilderness will do battle in Spooner tonight in the seven and deciding game.

The Lakers led 3-1 at one point.

The winner also advances to the Ontario junior A championship taking place next week in Thunder Bay.




Several players from the Rainy River district are in Dryden today for the NORWOSSA badminton finals.

Atikokan High School has 20 players seeking titles in various divisions.

Fort Frances High has seven hopefuls while Rainy River High is looking for championships from three doubles teams attending.

Local Sports for Tuesday April 10

The SIJHL finals are going the distance.

The Wisconsin Wilderness staved off eliminated for a second straight time, beating the Fort Frances Lakers at the Ice for Kids Arena last night 1-0 to knot the series at 3 wins each.

Game 7 will go Wednesday night in Spooner.




Steve Arpin has a deal that will see him compete in NASCAR's Nationwide Series.

The Fort Frances native will race at Texas Friday.

Arpin will also compete at Talladega for Turner Motorsports.

Local Sports for Monday April 9

The SIJHL finals have been forced back to Fort Frances tonight for a sixth game.

Wisconsin staved off elimination Saturday by beating the Lakers 3-1 in Spooner.

The Lakers still hold a 3-2 series lead.

Connor Hady had the Lakers lone goal.

Local Sports for Thursday April 5

Fort Frances Lakers withstood a late comeback to earn a 7-5 win over the Wisconsin Wilderness at the Memorial Sports Centre, to take a 2-1 lead in the SIJHL finals.

Adam Wensley and Bryon Katapaytuk each scored twice for the Lakers with singles from Jaret Leclair, Ryan Wildman and Jordan Larson.

Game four goes tonight at the Sports Centre.




Several badminton players from Rainy River, Fort Frances and Atikokan High School are moving on the NORWOSSA championship next week in Dryden.

Atikokan is sending 20 players in various divisions following a qualifying event in Atikokan yesterday.

Fort Frances High qualified seven players.

Rainy River will send two doubles teams after winning berths at a qualifier in Kenora.

Local Sports for Wednesday April 4

Game three of the SIJHL finals goes tonight at the Memorial Sports Centre.

Fort Frances Lakers earned a split on the weekend in the first two games against Wisconsin.




Falls High School track teams competing at the Little Amik Indoor Meet in Bemidgi with the girl's team finishing fourth overall and the boys tying for 16th.

The girls picked up a win in the 4 by 800 metre relay.




The field is almost set for the second ever strongman competition in Fort Frances.

A total of 14 athletes have confirmed their entry into the event as part of this year's Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce Home and Leisure show in May.

Defending champ Luke Skaarup of Fort Frances heads the field that will see competitors from northwestern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the U.S.




Soccer season in Fort Frances getting ready for another year.

The Borderland Soccer Association will hold its annual general meeting tonight - 7 pm at the Ice for Kids board room.




International Falls Broncos girls baseball team opened its season with a convincing 19-7 win over Chisholm.

Winning pitcher Morgan Bruess pitched a complete game giving up 3 hits while striking out 12.

She also went 4 for 6 at the plate with 3 RBI's.

Local Sports for Tuesday April 3

The SIJHL final series between the Fort Frances Lakers and the Wisconsin Wilderness will resume tomorrow at the Memorial Sports Centre all knotted at one win apiece.

Andrew Anderson's goal, four minutes into overtime, gave the Wilderness a 6-5 win in game two of the series last night.

Jordan Christianson, Jordan Larson, Jaret Leclair, Merritt Rysavy and Henry Gutierrez replied for the Lakers.

Local Sports for Monday April 2

Henry Gutierrez scored twice, including the game-winner as the Fort Frances Lakers scored a 4-2 win over Wisconsin to open the SIJHL finals in Spooner last night.

Alex Bruess and Byron Katapaytuk with an empty netter added the other goals.

Game two goes tonight in Spooner.




Fort Frances swimmer Donovan Taylor returns home without making Canada's Olympic team.

Taylor failed to make the finals of his final two events, the 100 metre Fly and 200 metre individual medley at the Olympic swimming trials achieve

He did a personnel best time and near three others.

Meantime, former Fort Frances Aquanaut Alex Parent captured bronze in the multi class Para swimmer 50 metre free.

Parent is in his last competitive year at McMaster University.




Riverview Royals of Rainy River captured a girls basketball tournament on the weekend hosted by Crossroad School in Devlin.

The Royals defeated the host teams 20-8.



Raymond Roy's Fort Frances rink missed out on a trip to the Dominion Curling Club national championship after going 3 and 2 at the provincial event in New Liskeard



Fort Frances Girls Hockey Association handed out it's hardware Friday.

Abby Plourde picked up two MVP awards for her play on the Super 8 pee-wee team and the NorFab Flames competitive team.

Other winners were Lauren Penney, Kamryn Singleton, Meghan Bruyere, Emma Noga, Annalise Hayes, Kate Parsons, Madisyn DeGagne, Jessica Coran, Allison Brown, Chantal Jodoin.

Here's a complete list of all winners


Novice  - Fort Frances Timbits

Most Dedicated – Samantha Kelly
Most Improved – Abigal Maclam
Most Sportsmanlike – Makenna Hill
M.V.P. – Lauren Penney
Larry Tucker “Rookie of the Year” – Emma Mainville


Atom - Calder Legal Eagles
Most Dedicated – Sydney Korkola
Most Improved – Shallin Scott-MacNeil
Most Sportsmanlike – Carlee-Rae Beazley
M.V.P. – Kamryn Singleton


Atom Coaches - Rolling Lake Lightning

Most Dedicated – Alex Gartzke
Most Improved – Justice Yerxa
Most Sportsmanlike – Rianna Roach
M.V.P. – Meghan Bruyere


Peewee - Fort Frances Kaemingh Esso
Most Dedicated – Danielle Cridland
Most Improved – Caity Visser
Most Sportsmanlike – Emma Cole
M.V.P. – Emma Noga


Peewee - Super 8
Most Dedicated – Harleigh Brow-Rose
Most Improved – Anika Beaudry
Most Sportsmanlike – Siobhan MacKintosh
M.V.P. – Abby Plourde


Peewee - Lakewood Tire Eagles

Most Dedicated – Marissa Loveday
Most Improved – Tori Beaudry
Most Sportsmanlike – Maighyn DeGagne
M.V.P. – Annalise Hayes


Peewee - Fort Frances Nor-Fab Flames

Most Dedicated – Taylor Croswell
Most Improved – Lauren Hamilton
Most Sportsmanlike – Sydney Beck
M.V.P. – Abby Plourde


Bantam Coaches Team Manager
BDO Stars Dave Taggart
Tracey Coran Trainer
Greg Johnson

Most Dedicated – Hailey Beaudry
Most Improved – Lindsy Dixon
Most Sportsmanlike – Emily Bird
M.V.P. – Kate Parsons



Bantam - Skates & Blades
Most Dedicated – Angel McCormack
Most Improved – Jessica Baxter
Most Sportsmanlike – Taylor DeGagne
M.V.P. – Madisyn DeGagne


Bantam Competitive Team - Fort Frances 14U Leafs
Most Dedicated – Rylee Redford
Most Improved – Hailey Beaudry
Most Sportsmanlike – Sydney Johnson
M.V.P. – Jessica Coran



Midget Coaches - Pharmasave Wildcats

Most Dedicated - Angel Nixon
Most Improved – Libby Paleczny
Most Sportsmanlike – Alyce Ewald
M.V.P. - Allison Brown


Midget - ACO Electric Chargers

Most Dedicated - Katie Shoemaker
Most Improved – Rachel Devoe
Most Sportsmanlike – Megan Allan
M.V.P. - Chantal Jodoin

Local Sports for Friday March 30

Raymond Roy and his Fort Frances rink are in New Liskeard today for the start of the Dominion Curling Club provincial championship.

Roy won the title two years ago.

His foursome opens play this afternoon.




A provincial award for the Fort Frances Muskies boys basketball team.

The team has been awarded the Sportsmanship award from the Ontario Federation of Secondary Athletics Association.

The award relates to the teams recently play at the all-Ontario high school boys basketball championship.