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Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2008 49 New MOHA prez to rely on past experiences By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Minor Oaks Hockey Association's new president says he knows he has big shoes to fill, but he believes his experience with the organization will help it move forward. "I've been around, I know the processes," said Mark Bentley, who was elected as president Tuesday. "Hopefully, everything will go smoothly." Bentley said he put his name forward somewhat reluctantly. Because he works in the funeral home industry, he said he works many nights and weekends, which he thought might interfere with the duties of president. In the end, he felt the organization needed someone with experience. "I've been Bentley has been a member of MOHA's executive or board of around, I know directors for 17 years. He has the processes. been a coach, trainer and manHopefully, ager with various teams as well everything will go as filling the roles of convenor, smoothly." chairman of discipline, house league scheduler and vice-presi MOHA president dent of house league. Mark Bentley While there has been controversy in the organization recently -- 20-year president Mike Zardo, treasurer Jeanette Mittler and director Wayne Moorehead all resigned since MOHA's election on May 22, while former vice-president of town rep, Keith Murray, withdrew as a candidate shortly before the election -- Bentley said that should not hinder the organization going forward. "Not everyone is going to agree, but everyone's goal is to put the best program forward," he said. Bentley said the board of directors calling a meeting -- usually meetings are called by the executive -- is a positive step. "Everyone is free to express their opinions. That's the first time the board has called a meeting and we're going to meet again in July to get things underway," said Bentley. One of the things that will be discussed is MOHA's relationship with the Mitron High Performance Hockey Centre. "On the rep side, we'll be looking at the Mitron program in some detail. It's a big issue," Bentley said. Asked if that meant the organization might sever ties with Mitron, Bentley said, "that's one of the options." Earlier this week, Moorehead said that one of the divisive issues in MOHA had to do with referees. Last year, Bentley served as the director in charge of house league referees and town rep timekeepers. Bentley said MOHA had tried to dismiss the refereein-chief, but the referees threw their support behind him. There was some discussion of the referees forming an association. Although that never happened, Bentley considers the issue resolved. CHRIS KORNACKI / OAKVILLE BEAVER TOP ATHLETES: Local high school athlete-of-the-year award winners that attended a recognition barbecue Monday at Bronte Creek Provincial Park included (back, left to right) Abbey Park's Daniel Mathie (the lone junior to attend), OT's Scott Asselstine, Blakelock's Stephen Saunders, Loyola's Marco Rodrigues, (front, left to right) Abbey Park's Jessica Tat, OT's Elizabeth Philp, Blakelock's Ashley Langdon, Loyola's Leah Franco and Iroquois Ridge's Jaime Johns. High school senior athletes of the year Top senior athletes from the past year in Halton Secondary School Athletic Association competition were recognized Monday with a barbecue at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. Following are brief bios of the top senior athletes from Abbey Park, Holy Trinity, Iroquois Ridge, King's Christian Collegiate, Loyola, Oakville Trafalgar, St. Thomas Aquinas, T.A. Blakelock and White Oaks (information for Abbey Park senior male athlete Max Mihaichuk was not made available). Abbey Park · Jessica Tat enjoyed a fine year both on the track and in the ring for the Eagles. The 17-year-old represented Abbey Park at OFSAA in both track and wrestling, also suiting up for the Eagles' basketball and badminton teams. Tat won the Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference titles in her wrestling division, the 400-metre hurdles event and as part of Abbey Park's open girls' 4x400m relay team. She also flourished academically, winning the Student of Excellence Award. Tat hopes to maintain those high grades while continuing to participate in extracurricular activities next year as a Grade 12 student. Holy Trinity · Izabela Wozniak achieved her premier goal as an athlete at Holy Trinity, helping the Titans to the Halton senior girls' basketball final for the first time in four years. Wozniak also played ruby for the Titans this past season. The honour roll student was named MVP of her rugby team three times during her years at Trinity, also earning an MVP award with the junior basketball squad. She will study English and history this fall at York University. · Hoping to eventually land a basketball or football scholarship, Jordan Catterall appears to be on the right track. Catterall was named a first-team allstar for the Halton AAAA champion Titans at the Referees Memorial Basketball Tournament earlier this year. He has also been the top special teams player for Trinity's senior football squads the past two seasons. An honour roll student, Catterall will return to Trinity in the fall. Iroquois Ridge · Pat Readshaw was Ridge's MVP in hockey this past season, also playing golf, volleyball and badminton for the Trailblazers. Winning Ridge's male athlete-of-theyear award accomplished Readshaw's athletic goal. The 17-year-old's academic goal is to obtain his bachelor of arts honours degree at University of Toronto, Mississauga, where he'll attend school next year. · Jaime Johns showed an ability to pick up new sports quickly during her time at Iroquois Ridge. Johns placed fourth at the Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference badminton championships this season, despite not having played the sport until two years ago. She also tried ice hockey this season for the first time and landed Most Improved Player honours. In addition, Johns was the See Halton page 50 www.icesports.com 905-845-6989