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Sports Oakville Beaver By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF MEN'S · WOMEN'S · YOUTH BALL HOCKEY 0h 2 easton S REGISTRATION www.burlingtonballhockey.com 35 905-637-8118 SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2007 Waiting game pays off for former STA volleyball star Pehar, Alberta earn silver at CIS championships Terry Danyluk said one of the first strengths he identified in his co-captain was his competitiveness, which made the 6-foot-5 setter's first season in Three years ago, Brock Pehar gave up his job as Alberta all the more difficult. As a transfer student, the starting setter on the University of Waterloo he wasn't allowed to play for a year. Last season, he Warriors volleyball team for the chance to play -- found himself behind first-team all-Canadian setter or at least practice -- with the University of Alberta Brock Davidiuk on the depth chart. Rather than Golden Bears. worrying about his playing time, the 22-year-old For the next two years, he would do far more sit- took full advantage of the chance to learn. ting than setting. "The first year was difficult not being able to suit It may have seemed like an odd decision but, up for games," said Pehar. "Last year wasn't tough. considering he had earned himself an It was great. We played hard and I bat"The best thing academic scholarship at Waterloo, tled with some of the best players in Pehar wasn't prone to being wrong you can do for the country every single day. It was yourself is put often. really great for my development and it The St. Thomas Aquinas grad's yourself in the allowed me to be where I am now." instincts were proven right and he nar- right situation In retrospect, with Pehar rowly missed winning a Canadian entrenched in the starting lineup, it and combine it Interuniversity Sport (CIS) champihardly seems like it was a difficult onship last weekend in his first season with hard work, decision at all. But it took a player and good things as a starter with the Golden Bears. used to being a team leader to check "For me it was about putting myself will happen ." his ego at the door. in the best environment to improve," "He probably could have been the Pehar said. "Probably the most impor- Brock Pehar best player on his team for five years tant thing I've learned is that a player (in Waterloo)," said Danyluk, who can't do by himself. The best thing you can do for earned his fourth CIS coach of the year award last yourself is put yourself in the right situation and week. "I think what he wanted to see was an opporcombine it with hard work, and good things will tunity to play in a different league and, some people happen." would say, at a different level. It was a big commitOr, at least, nearly happen, as was the case ment and I give him a lot of credit for taking the Sunday. Alberta rallied from a 2-1 deficit to knock chance." off the defending Canadian champion Trinity The Golden Bears are glad he did. It was the Western University in five sets in Saturday's semifi- rapid development of players like Pehar and fellow nal. Pehar then led a similar charge in Sunday's first-year starter Joel Schmuland, who hammered final against Manitoba but the Bears couldn't pull Pehar's sets for a conference best 4.11 kills per off another comeback as they fell 22-25, 25-18, 25- game, that allowed Alberta to make the national final 20, 18-25, 15-10. despite losing five starters from last year's silver While settling for the silver medal for the second medal team. Pehar was named to the Canada West year in a row was difficult, it wasn't nearly as hard first team after leading the conference in assists See Pehar page 37 as sitting out an entire season. Golden Bears coach PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA A REAL BEAR: Brock Pehar, pictured in action from a game earlier this season, helped the University of Alberta Golden Bears win national volleyball silver in his first year as the team's starting setter. POOL SHARKS: Oakville Aquatic Club members (left to right) Marni Oldershaw, Mack Darragh and Mika Spencer combined to win 12 gold medals at last weekend's junior provincial swimming championships in Etobicoke, helping their club to a second-place finish in team standings. Sinead Russell, a 13-year-old with the Dolphins Swim Club, added seven gold to lead the local cause. RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER Locals shine at swim provincials Four local swimmers combined to win 19 individual gold medals at last weekend's junior provincial championships, held at the Etobicoke Olympium. Thirteen-year-old Sinead Russell, representing the Dolphins Swim Club, led the way with seven first-place finishes. Oakville Aquatic Club (OAK) competitors Marni Oldershaw (five gold), Mika Spencer (four) and Mack Darragh (three) also shone, helping OAK finish with the second-highest team total out of the 60 clubs competing. Russell posted personal-best times in all seven of her events, establishing new Dolphins club records in all as well. She earned the female Iron Man award in her age group and her times in the 100m and 200m backstroke, 100m freestyle and 400m individual medley ranked her first in Canada amongst 13-year-olds. Oldershaw also won an Iron Man award, dominating her 12-year-old division with wins in the 100m backstroke, 100m and 200m breaststroke, and 200m and 400m individ See OAK page 37