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8 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, May 4,1994 Conahan Reaches National Finals As late afternoon approaches, Alisha Conahan finds herself spending it in a similar fashion to the way she has spent similar ones for the past 14 years. All around her, young gymnasts are conducting a number of difficult difficult moves on any one of the half- dozen or so pieces of apparatus at the Gemini Gymnastics Club. With their hair pulled back off their faces, they continually thrust their young, agile bodies into positions positions that require extreme concentration concentration and flexibility. They maintain a bright smile that has long been associated with gymnasts throughout the history of the sport Porcelain dolls all of them. And all the while, they flash a glance over to the interview that is being conducted, hoping that one day they too will reach the level in the sport that Conahan has. For the third year in her blossoming blossoming career, she is off to Canada's Canada's National Championships. The Bowmanville resident finished finished fifth overall out of a field of a dozen competitors in the National Open division at the recently- completed Elite Ontario championships championships held at Centennial College in Scarborough. The top six finishers, and an alternate alternate qualified for the Nationals, which will be held in Charlottetown, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island the week of May 22 to 29. Her fifth place finish was a noteworthy noteworthy accomplishment considering considering the circumstances that led up to the competition. "I didn't go there hoping to come first overall. My goal was Gymnastics just to make it to Nationals, said the 17-year-old. Her training regiment had been altered leading up to . n j liellii the competition as a result of a Dj DIHh HCIIy hairline fracture in her right hand that she suffered in November. November. Her goal in the sport is to The injury restricted her from achieve an athletic scholarship to a training for four months. In other university in the United States. As sports, athletes might appreciate the a grade 12 student at Bowmanville time off and actually benefit from High School, she has only one escaping the daily rigors their bod- more year of OAC left before de- ies are put through. But in a sport like gymnastics, ciding her academic future. Though she is confident that where timing is everything, four something will happen before grad- months without training can seem uation, a strong performance later like an eternity. "Four months is a long time," said Conahan. "Even two weeks can set you back." this month would certainly enhance her chances. When the scholarship does come about, it will mark the second time Her hand injury was the second that she has benefited from the one of a serious nature that she has sport in which she has dedicated so suffered. Earlier in her career, a bad much of her time. knee set her back. She is onfe of a select few stu- "After 14 years, that's not dents who are able to obtain credits bad," she said. "It's all just a part towards a high school diploma of the sport." On the individual apparatus at through their chosen sport. What the program allows Cona- the Elite Ontario meet, she finished han to do is attend training sessions third overall on the floor, and five times a week, without missing placed in the top six on both the school work, beam and vault. Student/athletes are granted Her only real preparation for the credits providing they maintain a competition came at. the Buffalo required standard of marks, as well Spring Cup international meet, as offer their time to coaching helping her Gemini team to a first younger athletes in the sport, place finish overall. Coaching is an aspect of the sport Individually, she placed first on that Conahan has been actively do- beam during the two-day competi- ing for the past three years, tion. Now, as her time at high school Now, with a full month of prep- winds down, she is hoping that all aration ahead prior to the trip to the of her efforts and countless hours east coast, Conahan is hoping for a of dedication to the sport will pay strong showing amongst Canada's off in some financial assistance top gymnasts. down the road. Darlington Auto Selects End Season The Darlington Auto atom selects brought a successful season to a close when they hosted their own tournament on April 16 and 17. Bowmanville completed the round robin undefeated with three wins, and then needed an overtime goal in the 'A' final against Belleville to win the overall championship. Players include, not in order in above photo, Rob Weir, Chris Burritt, Jon Whitehead, Jeff Hrdlicka, Mike Murphy, Rob Milford, Andrew Warren, David Griffin, Nick Smith, Jeff Wrightly, Andrew Bea- cock, Jon Black, Bobby Williams, Cole Linfoot, Matt Reid, Jeff Ball, A1 Rahme. Coaches are Mike Rate, A1 Warren, Mike Smith. After a long season, the Darlington Darlington Auto Atom Selects ended their year on the weekend of April 16 and 17th. Their season consisted of more than six tournaments, many home games and many more away games. The boys sure had their fill of hockey Uiis year. Not only playing for selects, selects, but house league also. The team carried 17 players for the year. The whole season was a very productive productive one. Each boy contributed to the teams success in their own way. To bring the season to a grand finale, finale, the Atom Select parents hosted their own tournament in the Bow- manvillc Arena on April 16 and 17. The Corporate Sponsor of the whole tournament was Harvey's in Bowmanville. Bowmanville. The parents, coaching staff and boys rallied together to pull off a very successfully run tournament. Help from all was greatly appreciated by the tournament Chairman. Not only did the parents run a great tournament, but the boys played a great tournament. The first game was on Saturday against Port Hope. We had played them in the regular season and were very well matched. But this game was different. Playing very defensively, defensively, the team led by one goal at the end of the first period. We scored three more times in the second and once in the third. The final score was 5-2 for Bowmanville. Our second game was played Saturday Saturday afternoon against Pickering. This was a hard fought penalty filled game one. Both teams wanted a big win out of this one. Thirty-two minutes minutes in penalties was proof the boys were all out to do their best to win. But in the end of the action packed game, the Bowmanville team skated off the ice with another win. The final final score was 3-0. That left one more scheduled game on Sunday morning. Some very tired parents and boys arrived at the arena at 6:30 a.m for another long day. This time we had to play the team from Lindsay. The parents may have been dragging that morning but the boys didn't seem to be. They skated their hardest and played their best to win that game 9-1. This meant we were on our way " to the 'A' Championship game against Belleville. There was a huge crowd of supporters supporters for both teams on that Sunday afternoon! The scoring went back and forth. Just when we thought we were taking the lead, the Belleville team would score again. Then they took the lead but we scored to tic. This happened again and again throughout the game. Nearing the end of the third period, Bowmanville was ahead 5-4. With 'only seconds left, the Belleville team scored to take us into overtime. The coaches' throats were hoarse and the parents' nails were bitten, but the boys didn't give up. Right from the first face-off we controlled the puck. Within seconds, the Bowmanville team scored to win the whole tournament. tournament. The boys then showed some emotion, The gloves and sticks were thrown, and I'm sure there were a few tears shed also. This was a great ending ending to a great year boys! Congratulations!! Congratulations!! Congratulations also to all the parents parents for contributing to a great tournament. tournament. Also a great big thanks to a tremendous coaching staff. They did a lot of work and brought out the best in cacli boy. Thanks also to Frank at Darlington Darlington Auto for sponsoring our team again this year. Without people like you in the community, we couldn't have been so successful. The season is over and the manager manager is resting. Thanks everyone for a memorable year. Hope to see you all again sometime. Till next year, Have n great summer. Your manager J. Warren (/EAR THE f/UTTER Advertise your garage sale in the classifieds! The Canadian Statesman • 623-3303 Legion Dart League Presents Trophies at Annual Banquet The team of (from left) Debbie Gibson, Marylin Fraser, Ruth Cowle and Linda Coombes captured the ladies' Playoff Championship in the Bowmanville Legion Dart League. They were among the many teams receiving awards at the annual Dart League Banquet held at the Legion Hall on Saturday night, April 30. READ BOB'S UPS NO NUES OH EXHAUST JOBS! PST & ©ST SCRAPPED AT SPEEDY AS FINANCE CRITIC BOB CAMERON TAKES ON THE TAX CHALLENGE. Bob's no PST & GST* platform provides Canadians with better exhaust systems at a price you can afford. Visit any Speedy store. Bob's no tax campaign stops at each one. 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