Anthony Burdett
High school volleyball stars of yesterday return to the school court this weekend in Fort Macleod.
Men’s and women’s teams representing nine southern Alberta high schools will compete Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-25.
The teams are playing for the chance to win $1,000 to be donated to their respective high school athletics programs.
All other proceeds raised by tournament organizer the F.P. Walshe alumni Association will be used to lower costs for athletes at that school.
“Our goal is to, first and foremost, make sports affordable to student athletes in our community,” said Anthony Burdett of the alumni association. “We believe that sport is a healthy way for youth to learn valuable life lessons: hard work, determination, dedication, teamwork, sportsmanship and sacrifice.”
“We don’t want the financial obligations of playing school sports to rob youth of this amazing once in a lifetime opportunity.”
A 50-50 draw is under way with proceeds supplementing fund-raising.
The tournament begins at 5:40 p.m. Thursday with games at F.P. Walshe and W.A. Day schools.
The Flyers men’s team takes on Immanuel Christian at 5:40 p.m. in the tournament’s opening match at F.P. Walshe school.
The Flyers also play Winston Churchill Bulldogs at 6:30 p.m. and Cardston Cougars at 9 p.m. Thursday at F.P. Walshe.
The Flyers women’s team plays LCI at 7:20 p.m. and Cardston Cougars at 8:10 p.m. Thursday at W.A. Day school.
Action resumes at 5:40 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 with six men’s games and three women’s games.
On Saturday, the women’s schedule concludes with four matches beginning at 8:30 a.m. at W.A. Day school.
Men’s playoffs get under way at 8:30 a.m. with the championship match getting under way at 4:30 p.m. at F.P. Walshe.
Women’s playoffs start at 12 noon with the championship game at 5:30 p.m. at F.P. Walshe school.
Following are the rosters for Pool A men’s teams:
- F.P. Walshe Flyers — Tirone Parker, Brayden Van Driesten, Jordan Gunderson, Jared Poytress, Brad Burrows, Conlan Donahue, Aiden Kidd, Morgan Gunderson and Anthony Burdett.
- Immanuel Christian Eagles — Nathan Watson, Mike Hummel, Reuben Middel, Dean Slomp, Steven Veldman, Kyle Elgersma and Nathan Hall.
- Cardston Cougars — Mark Olsen, Craig McMurray, Rob Olsen, Brady Olsen, Mike Olsen, Mitch Olsen, Isaac Atwood and Tyler Berry.
- Winston Churchill Bulldogs — Cody Needham, Connor Heloffs, Nils Reger, Josh Lozano, Ethan Ng, Cody Firth, Tanner Kenney and Seth Needham.
Following are the rosters for Pool B men’s teams:
- Picture Butte Sugar Kings — Todd Bergen-Henengouwen, Colten Murray, Austen Murray, Taner Murray, Broek Murray, Logan Reiter, Jordan Reiter, TJ Grant and Keaton Craig.
- W.R. Myers Rebels — Cole Layton, Conner Layton, Mason Muller, Ryan Senneker, Damon Holman, Drasyn Card and Billy Neustaeter.
- Magrath Comets — Carter Hansen, Austin Bennett, Tim McMahon, Scott Gieske, Tazz Williams, Corbin Stringham, Jack O’Neill and Tristan Killian.
- Catholic Central Cougars — Jeff Marthaller, Luc Carriere, Brian Nelis, Chris Goruk, Devon Mulder, Jerrod Mulder, Jared Quan, Nolan Setton and Cam Weitz.
If you are interested in sponsoring the tournament or volunteering, contact Anthony Burdett at 403-393-2451 or Jordan Gunderson at 403-894-3391.
Following are the rosters for women’s teams:
- F.P. Walshe Flyers — Sheridan George, Leslie Kramer, Brooklyn Bourassa, Abby Bourassa, Paige Knauf, Brittan Poytress, Karli Coast and Payton Van Driesten.
- Catholic Central Cougars — Ashley Wevers, Nicole Beniot, Cassie Patterso, Kaylee Day Chief, Kala Van Buuren and Melanie Stelfox.
- Cardston Cougars — Kylee Salmon, Megan Heavener, Nancy Leavitt, Katie Ericksen, Camila Meservy, Julie Miller and Amelia Low.
- LCI — Christie Burdett, Lindsey Haslam, NIckey Parker, Brynn Gilbert, Jarah Weston, Kyn Rumer, Meghan Klatt and Erika Sheen.
