Troy Shantz Prominent members of Sarnia’s basketball community are shocked and dismayed that Lambton College has suddenly and without explanation parted ways with the head coach of its women’s team. The college confirmed this week it wasn’t renewing the contract of Kendel Ross, a local basketball star who went on to play pro and coached… Read more »
Troy Shantz Sarnia’s first family of weightlifting is headed to the Olympics. Boady Santavy punched his ticket to Tokyo after winning silver at the Pan American senior weightlifting championships last month in the Dominican Republic. The 23-year-old lifted 181 kilograms in the snatch event to break both the Pan Am and Commonwealth Games records. He… Read more »
Journal Staff A Bright’s Grove native has been named an assistant coach at the University of Saskatchewan basketball program. Laura Dally said she was thrilled to fill the full-time post at the university that she once led, as a player, to a Canadian championship. “It will be an honour to work with and learn from… Read more »
Troy Shantz Sarnia’s AAA baseball team will boast a rich military heritage if and when it takes to the field this year. The Sarnia Braves are now known as the Sarnia Brigade after the Ontario Baseball Association mandated all teams remove Indigenous names and symbols, one of the coaches said. The Ontario Champions considered several… Read more »
Dave & Janet Greenwood Most people knew Pat “Whitey” Stapleton for his exploits as a hockey player: NHL All-Star, captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, Team Canada member in the famed 1972 series against the Soviet Union. But as city council considers renaming Sarnia Arena for this man, it’s fitting to know what he did off… Read more »
Journal Staff Sarnia Sting’s goalie backstopped Canada to a gold medal last week at the U-18 World Hockey Championships in Texas. Ben Gaudreau made 31 saves to lead Canada to a 5-3 victory in the final against Russia on May 6. The Corbiel, Ont. native went 5-0 at the tournament, playing 240 minutes with a… Read more »
Journal Staff Mike Weir scored his first win on the PGA’s senior tour last week. The Bright’s Grove native finished the Insperity Invitational in Texas with a 10-under 134, helping him jump from 16th to 8th on the Champions Tour money list. Weir, the 2003 Masters Champion, edged out John Daly, Tim Petrovic and David… Read more »
Troy Shantz A young athlete from Sarnia is moving up the U.S. collegiate bowling ranks. Morgan Pelkie, throwing for Oklahoma Christian University, is now ranked 35th out 400 female college bowlers this year. The SMAA bowling league alumnus has made a splash at Oklahoma, which she attends on a scholarship. At tournaments this season –… Read more »
Journal Staff The most recent COVID-19 “stay-at-home” order has benched both of Sarnia’s junior hockey teams for another season. Lockdowns and a surge in COVID-19 cases were deciding factors to cancel the Sarnia Sting and Sarnia Legionnaire seasons, officials of both leagues announced. “We were committed to return and play this season, but our hopes… Read more »
Troy Shantz A new fishing derby is coming to Sarnia-Lambton and its sharpest lure is a smartphone app to keep participants safe, organizers say. Southwestern Ontario’s Blue Coast Walleye Challenge running June 4-13 will see anglers submit their catches via the app to avoid congregating at weigh stations and potentially spreading COVID-19. “The beginning of… Read more »
