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John Snider of Stouflville District Secondary School leaves the start in a 100m race at the Cardinal Carter Track Classic at Centennial Stadium in Etobiooke last Thursday. BY MIKE HAYAKAWA Staff Writer The Stouffville Mennos set the bar at a relatively high level, after advancing to the Oshawa and District Fastball League semi- finals before they were eliminated by the Oshawa Ravens last fall. “We should be better than last year," said Mennos manager Art Burkholder. “The team is young with most players in their 205. The guys are athletic, most are multi-sport players Wlth a new campaign starting this week, the Mennos feel they have the tools to take things one step further than a year ago. 26 swam sun-Imme- mm May a. 2008 Markham Ribfest Great expectations as Mennos open fastball season TAKE OFF, EH Call Susan, Judy or Linda “We’re a confident group that isn’t eas- ily rattled. Team chemistry has always been stressed and this year will be no different. We are in this together." There will be no shortage of experience, with as many as 13 players back in uniform. With Dale Boadway returning behind the plate, the rest of the infield will include 0f shortstop Jeff Boadway, third baseman Brett and bring a lot of natural talent to the game. Pitching, a vital ingredient for any success- ful team, will be anchored by veterans Scott Evans, Byron Baranieski, Paul Boynton and lay Nesbitt. STAFF PHOTO/STEVE SOMERVILLE SPORTS 905.294.2200 Markham Fairgrounds Stouffville Sun-Tribune No.1 pickjoins troops “We really didn't know what they (the Battalion) would do, Maybe if someone was supposed to go higher they might have picked him. But I guess that didn’t hap- Carrick wasn’t surprised as the Battalion met with him and his family a week earlier. But these days, the 16- year-old Stoutfville native is resting a lot easier. “I was pretty nervous beforehand," said Garrick, a six-foot, .165-pound centre who played this past seaâ€" son with the Toronto Red Wings AAA minor midgets of the Greater Toronto Hock- ey League. “I was thinking, ‘where will I go? What will happen inthe draft?’ “But when Brampton called out my name, I just threw my arms up in the air and felt relieved," he said. Carrick had 40 goals and 30 assists in 55 contests with the Red ngs. Rumours circulated that the Oshawa Generals were interested. Unfortunately for the Generals, they picked after Brampton. BY MIKE HAYAKAWA Staff Writer In the days leading up to last Saturday, Sam Garrick sat on pins and needles. Especially after the Bramp- ton Battalion made Carrick the lSth-overall selection in the first round of the Ontario Hockey league draft. Boyd, who returns after spending last year in Australia, first baseman Scott Eyre and sec- ond baseman Rich Burkholder. The lone newcomer is pitcher-utility man Greg Dalgamo, who was with Scarborough last year but played the majority of his youth ball in Stouffville. Patrolling the outfield are centre fielder Shawn Boadway, Curtis Reesor, who is back in the fold after being sidelined all of last year with surgery to repair a broken hand, Kn's Burkholder and possibly Mark Burkholder. Howie Burkholder is back as head coach while Mike Boadway serves as assistant coach www.markhamribfest.com “I’ve just got to go out on the ice and play my game. I’ve got to give it my all on every shift. Hopefully, I’ll get plenty of ice time and try to score when I can and help the team any way I he said. The younger‘ brother of lake Garrick, who just comâ€" pleted his first season as a forward with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Sault Star newspaper suggested the Hounds pick little brother, too. The Grade 10 Stouffville District Secondary School stu- dent isn't putting added pres- sure on himself from being a first-round pick or the sibling of an established player. pen,” he said. SAM CARRICK: Stouffville prod- uct selected in first round of Ontario Hockey League draft. The selection was icing on Slated to begin their season yesterday in Aurora, the Mennos are part of five-team North Division that includes Lake Simcoe. Markham and the Newmarket Juniors. The league's South Division consists of the Oshawa BB Juniors, Oshawa BB Intermedi- ates, defending league champion Oshawa Ravens, Scarborough luniors and Toronto. and Rich Burkholder, assistant manager. Playing a 24-gamc unbalanced schedule against teams from both divisions, the Men- nos are scheduled to play their home opener May 15 at Memorial Park against the Oshawa BB Juniors at 8:30 pm. the cake that was the 2007-08 season. Garrick played a key role in helping the Stouffville Secondary capture its second straight Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations A/AA title. The 16-year-old Grade 10 Brother Andre Catholic High School student, who also played high school hockey with the Cardinals, began his career in Stouffville at the mite and ryke levels before going to the Markham Waxers organization for a couple of years and then the GTHL. “lt’s unbelievable. I can’t wait to get started. This (to be chosen in the first round by the Battalion) is just another step toward my main goal of making it in the pros," he said. In the 11th round, the Oshawa Generals Chose five- foot, 10-inch, 170-lb. forward Evan Bruno with the 217th selection. “This is a year I will remember for the rest of my life." Stouffville Spirit forward Darren Archibald was taken in the seventh round and 127th overall by the Barrie Colts. He played minor midget hockey last season with Car- rick and the Toronto Red ng5. For more on the draft, go to: 0ntariohockeyleague.com The 18-year-old from Newmarket was a late cut by the Colts last fall, as a free agent.