Spring term athletics ploughed full steam ahead last week.
Badminton
SMUS struggled in local league action versus a very polished Mount Douglas team. However, the group rebounded nicely at the ISAs, with the Boys claiming silver medals while the Girls finished in third place. Kudos to Grace Yin and Ken Yang for their fine play and excellent leadership.
Golf
The Golf team competed in its first tournament of the season in the Victoria Police Invitational at Olympic View. Given the arctic temperatures and strong winds, scores across the board were high. Nonetheless, all competitors gained valuable tournament experience, with Sting Zhang the pick of the SMUS players. The team now prepares for the ISA tournament May 5-6 in Squamish.
Rugby
The Senior Boys Rugby team negotiated the same howling gale to edge past a determined Nanaimo team. Tries by Carter Haddow, Martin Bures and Sebastian Salomon Wong, along with a Sam Bruninx conversion, proved just enough in a tense 17-14 win.
Meanwhile, the Juniors Boys, led by Grade 9s Des Grant, Declan Longridge and Quinn McMeekin, split four games at the BC Junior Invitational, falling narrowly to Collingwood and Robert Bateman, but beating Sir Charles Tupper and Earl Marriott.
The Girls were also in action, with the Division 2 squad splitting games versus Lambrick Park and Stelly's. Moe Ohara and Luise Doelling tackled relentlessly and ran strongly.
Soccer
Senior Girls Soccer took pride of place this week, remaining top of the City league with a 2-1 win over Belmont, thanks to goals by Makena Anderson and Eva Cuddihy.
Then, after pool victories versus Brentwood College School, York House and West Point Grey at the ISA Tournament, the team captured the title with a fine performance against a well-drilled Collingwood side. Though controlling play throughout the match but failing to complete scoring chances, the Blue Jags secured a 1-0 final result via a shootout.
Cuddihy, back in her normal goalkeeping position, made three key penalty saves. Tayte Dowling, Cate Pontefract and Talia Pike duly slotted their kicks from the spot.
The squad now moves on to a key battle against Reynolds on April 25, with the opening round of Ryan Cup play set to start May 4.
At the Junior Girls level, SMUS split matches against two high-quality opponents. A wonderful goal by Isabelle LeRoy and some staunch defending combined for a 1-0 triumph over Royal Bay. Then, though battling valiantly through a wild windstorm, the Jags fell 3-1 to Oak Bay. Joss Olcen, Avery Geddes and Kendyll Adams led the way. Next up is an April 25 matchup against talented Spectrum.
Tennis
Led by Josie Mason-Woodcock and Krissh Hora, the team placed second in both the Girls’ and Boys’ ISA events. Newcomers Jack McQueen and Sarah Siragusano thrived under pressure while Julian Bezeau and Harry Cai also played strongly. This week promises to be a busy one, with matches against Queen Margaret's School, Glenlyon Norfolk School, and Lambrick Park on the docket.
Track and Field
The Track and Field team produced a series of promising results in the weekly City meet at UVic’s Centennial Stadium. Leupold Wang won the Senior Boys long jump, while Daniel Benjamin (javelin), Jonah Johnston (javelin), Brianne McLeish (shot put), Parker Sheehan (200m), Owen Sandquist-Sherman (3,000m), Charles Gosselin (3,000m) and Henry Morton (3,000m) all reached the podium in their respective divisions.
Field Hockey
SMUS also welcomes back Amanda Adams, Wynn Brown and Rebecca Stone to campus. All three were in Europe with the Canada U18 Field Hockey side, playing strongly on a successful four-match tour.
Vivat!!
