Augustana Athletics

The Vikings hockey team split with the Portage Voyageurs this past weekend. In Friday’s matchup, the Vikings blanked the Voyageurs 3-0. Torrie Dyck, Joel Chisholm, and Scott Aucoin scored Augustana’s goals, while Richard Dupre, Adam Tressor, and Tanner VanDeSyoe all added an assist. Casey Rempel had a team high two assists and Paul Kolida made 26 saves to earn the shutout.

The following night, the Vikings were unable to contain the Voyageurs offence, resulting in a 2-5 loss. VanDeSype and Daniel Hope each scored while VanDeSype, Dupre, and Steven Cavanaugh all potted an assist. The Vikings now sit at 14-11-0-1, leaving them tied with NA.I.T. for fourth and four points back of third place Concordia who they will face at home February 10 at Encana.

Open Tryouts: Friday, April 9, 2010
Invite Only: Saturday, April 10, 2010
Cost: $25 (Includes t-shirt)

The Augustana ID Camp is mandatory for all athletes who wish to be included on the 2010 - 11 roster. Friday’s sessions are open to any Grade 10, 11 or 12 student, while Saturday’s sessions are invite only. Individual meetings (for those invited back) will follow the last session on Saturday.

To register, please e-mail Leanne Shenton, Head Coach at shenton@augustana.ca.  Make sure to provide your name, grade, position, and height.

» Register before March 17th and pay only $20.
» Make out cheques to the University of Alberta, Augustana Faculty
» Send to:

Augustana Campus, University of Alberta
4901 – 46 Avenue
Camrose, AB
T4V 2R3

Making the playoffs is an accomplishment for the Augustana Vikings hockey team after last season. However, they have refused to settle for simply qualifying and are closing in on third place after dominating the Macewan Griffins this past week.

On Wednesday at Encana Arena, the Vikings cruised to a 5-1 victory. Aaron Hareuther and Torrie Dyck both had three point games, and Paul Kolida stopped 21 of 22 shots for the win.

Rather than make the mistake of last semester where they didn’t show up against the Griffins, they came into the second contest focused and ready, hammering the Griffins 8-1. Stats for the second game were unavailable at the time.

The pair of wins has the Vikings at 13-10-0-1, and only two games back of Concordia for third in the ACAC. They will continue their quest on Wednesday in Lac La Biche against the Portage Warriors.

Women’s basketball took a hit a major hit this past weekend against the Concordia Thunder. The top ranked team in the North Division had their way with the Vikings, winning 103-76 at home and 79-63 at Camrose.

In the second contest, Natasha Nagy led the team in points with 16 and added 12 rebounds while Amy Tweedie had a double double of her own with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

With the losses the women have now been eliminated from postseason. They can be seen next on February 12 against Grande Prairie.

The men’s basketball dropped both games this past weekend against the Concordia Thunder. The first game was all Concordia, who took the game 84-61. However, the Vikings responded the next night at home and gave the Thunder a fight in an 85-95 loss. Mike McCorquindale led the team with 18 points, while Alex Butts added 16 points and 11 rebounds.

This officially eliminates Augustana from ACAC playoff contention. The Vikings now have a bye weekend and will not be in action again until February 12 when they host the Grande Prairie Wolves.

Both Volleyball squads travelled to Saskatoon this past weekend to compete in the Western Canadian Championships. The women hoped to improve on their silver medal from the previous championship. They started the tournament in round robin play against the team that vanquished them a year ago, the host team, Kelsey Amaruks. Kelsey was able to over come a large deficit to win two straight. The girls were able to win the rest of their round robin matches with ease, giving them a bye into the Quarterfinals, where they found themselves matched up against the Ambrose Lions. Unfortunately, Ambrose took advantage of some sluggish play by the Vikings by playing their best match of the season, winning in two. The loss meant that Augustana finished tin a tie for 5th place. While the girls were disappointed, they can hold their heads high after having an excellent season, highlighted by their ACAL championship.

Both Volleyball squads travelled to Saskatoon this past weekend to compete in the Western Canadian Championships. The men came to Saskatoon as the only team that has ever won the tournament in its two-year history. They began with one match on Friday night, facing off against the fourth ranked team from Manitoba, St. Boniface. With several starters resting with nagging injuries, the Vikings got off to a slow start, trailing by more then ten at one point during a 16-25 loss. Fortunately, the boys got their heads in the game and rebounded to win the next two sets 25-17, 15-10. An early start was due the next day, as the Vikings had a pair of round robin matches to finish before the playoff round. Coach Tom Tigchelaar gave his rookies a chance to play and they did not disappoint, sweeping both matches. The wins put the Vikings first in their pool, giving them a break before Quarters. There, they faced a familiar foe, the Portage Voyageurs. Despite a few lapses in focus, the guys were able to take the 25-19, 25-21. In the Semifinal, Augustana faced off against the Kelsey Amaruks, a team they had faced in the final each year. After blowing the Amaruks away in the first set, the Vikings found themselves trailing in the second set. However, they fought their way back and took the set and the match, winning 25-23. After a long break, the Vikings found themselves facing another familiar foe; their hated rival the Ambrose Lions. The lions were especially motivated for the match after losing to the Vikings in front of a home crowd at ACAL final four the previous week. The first set was a back and forth affair, with the Vikings pulling away late in the game to win 25-20. Bryn Petch, who did not play until the Semifinal because of a sore shoulder, was a significant presence in the middle for Augustana. In the second set, however, the Lions refused to give in and took it 23-25.A poor start had the Vikings trailing early and lead to a 11-13 deficit. However, they responded against adversity the way they had all weekend and took the final set 15-13. Steve Gross was named Augustana’s Tournament All-Star. The Vikings now go into the ACAC next year having never lost the tournament final. Congrats on a job well done.

Trivia:

• Hometown: Leduc
• Height: 5’9
• Position: Leftside
• Year of study: third
• Degree: Bachelor of Management
• Sports background: Grew up involved in several sports, particularly in hockey and ringette, in the 8 grade she finally gave in to her coach’s pleadings for her to join the volleyball team.
• On the difference between this team and last year: Being a veteran is a fun change. It’s nice to see the experience and composure from the veteran’s combine with the tenacity and energy of the rookies.
• On the campus and city: Love the campus and city. Living on campus is the best way to meet people and this campus is particularly great. It’s also great that the community takes an active interest in the school.
• Personal goal: to provide motivation and support for all the girls and to be a good captain.
• Team goal: Win ACAL and Western’s.
• Favorite sports movie: Remember the Titans, because the history and the story of perseverance.
• Plans for Future: Immediate, take management or marketing position with a WHL or AJHL hockey team. Eventually, would like to attain same position with either Hockey Canada or IIHF.
• Favorite athlete: Hayley Wickenheiser, for keeping humble roots, showing patriotism, and persevering through tough times.
• Pregame routine: Don’t eat much, just some fruit, and play music and focus.
• Playing style: Gritty, work hard on defence, make shots to get kills, tool blocks.
• Thoughts on ACAC next year: excited

Article:
As the prospect of competing in the ACAC next year looms over the Vikings women’s volleyball team, Tamara Armstrong can’t wait.“I’m excited for next year,” says the third year outside hitter, “it will be nice to compete against good teams every night instead of once or twice a year.”

Hailing from Leduc, Alberta, Tamara was involved in competitive sports throughout her childhood, but back then, if someone said she would one day play college volleyball, she would probably have scoffed at the idea.

“I played hockey and ringette growing up,” says the 5’9 Armstrong, “and I thought volley ball was lame, but I gave in to my 8th grade coach’s badgering and gave the sport a try. I was fairly successful thanks to my height, and I fell in love with it.”

Volleyball, and the opportunity to attain a degree in Management, has led her to the Vikings, were she has been a consistent performer and dependable leader for the program, leading to her new responsibility as captain.

“I haven’t found it to be a big change from last year,” says Armstrong, “outside the court I was already an organizer last year. The most important thing this year is to provide constant support and motivation to my teammates and do my part on the court.” And on the court she has not disappointed, as evidenced in the women’s home opener against the Concordia Thunder, where she helped the team to a 3-1 victory through spectacular serving and consistent back row play while chipping in on offense with 12 kills.

Armstrong is enrolled in Bachelor of Management and hopes to eventually get a management/marketing position with a hockey federation.

The Vikings hockey team managed a feat that has escaped them for the past few years; they have clinched a playoff spot with six games still to play.

The first contest at Encana was a nail-biter, with the home side prevailing 2-1. Tanner VanDeSype assisted on Augustana’s first goal and scored the game winner while goaltender Paul Kolida stopped 44 of 45 shots for the victory. On Friday night, the Vikings were unable to attain the same level of play in a 4-7 loss, despite a pair of two goal performances from Torrie Dyck and Dean Prpick. VanDeSype and Joel Chisholm added a pair of assists each and David Ritz made 18 saves coming off the bench.

The Vikings now work to improve their seeding for the playoffs by taking on the MacEwan Griffins this weekend, starting with Wednesday night contest at Encana Arena.

Men’s basketball suffered another setback this past weekend against the MacEwan Griffins. Like the women before them, the Vikings kept close through the first three quarters, but in the fourth the Griffins outside shooting took over the game, resulting in a 71-92 Augustana loss. David Ness led the Vikings with 19 points in the loss.

The following night, Grant MacEwan handed the Vikings a 71-108 loss. Despite the loss, Ness shined once again, leading the team with 24 points and 12 rebounds. The boys next face the Concordia Thunder, needing a pair of wins to keep hopes of making the playoffs alive.

The women’s basketball team was unable to pull off an upset over the Grant Macewan Griffins. The Vikings came into Friday night’s home game hoping to make up ground towards the last playoff spot. After three quarters of play, Augustana trailed by only 3 points. However, the Griffins shooters caught fire in the final frame and took the contest 74-64. Kiera Lyons had a monster game for the Vikings in the loss, scoring 21 points and 17 rebounds. Post Amy Tweedie had a double-double of her own with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The following night was nothing like the previous contest, as Grant Macewan hammered Augustana 76-40. Amy Tweedie posted 11 points in the loss. The girls can be next seen in home action against the Concordia Thunder, Jan. 30 at 6:00 PM.

Height: 6’0
Position: Post
Year: 2
Hometown: Delisle, Saskatchewan
High School: Delisle Composite
Degree: Major: Physical Education, Minor: Biology
Pregame Meal: Booster Juice, or something else light
Pregame Ritual: Relax, Visualize
Favorite Sports Movie: Friday Night Lights
Favorite Professional Athlete: Sydney Crosby

Things can change quite a bit from year to year. In just her second season, Amy Tweedie has taken a leadership role for the Augustana Vikings, a role she has taken seriously.

“This year I’ve made it a daily goal to be a good leader,” says Tweedie, “and the first step is giving everything I have every night.”

That leadership has appeared on the stats sheets, as the 6’0 post player has lead the Vikings in points per game, field goal percentage, blocks, and rebounds, where she sits fourth in the North Division with 7.53 per game. All of this has seen the women’s basketball team compete with the top teams in the province and have an outside shot of making the playoffs. The gradual success coming Augustana’s way is a bonus for Tweedie, who has enjoyed the culture of the team, the campus and the community.

“The girls have been a pleasure to be around both on and off the court,” says Tweedie, “and the community has also been great. Both on and off campus, there is a real sense of family.”

Tweedie is Majoring in Physical Education to work towards becoming a Physiotherapist.

While Friday’s Torch celebration featured several memorable moments, including the lighting of the cauldron ceremony and the evening fireworks, one event that needs mention is the fantastic game between the Augustana Vikings and the Briercrest Clippers. The Vikings dominated most the contest but had trouble finding the back of the net, as Briecrest goaltender, and Camrose native, Jesse Chenard, thwarted them with save after save.

After regulation was unable to settle anything, five minutes of of furious overtime action ensued, before team scoring leader Torrie Dyck scored Augustana’s third goal, ending the contest with only seconds to go. It was a great win for the Vikings, accomplished in front of over a thousand fans.

The following day the Vikings continued their strong play by getting past Chenard early, in route to a 4-0 victory. Paul Kolida earned the shutout for the Vikings with 20 saves while Tanner VanDeSype and Aaron Hareuther both managed a goal and an assist. The weekend’s success move the Vikings back up to the fourth and final playoff position. They can be seen next against the Mount Royal Cougars on Wednesday night at 7:30 in Encana Arena.