PAGE 18, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1988 SPORTS '87 REVIEW '87 REVIEW '87 REVIEW '87 REVIEW '87 REVIEW Strong, Nieuwendyk highlight 1987 achievements The arrival of the Olympic torch in Whitby Dec. 21 and another four- goal effort by Joe Nieuwendyk of Whitby before the NHL season reached 1988 provided an exciting conclusion to a notable 1987 in Whitby sports achievement. Lori Strong also had a big finish in '87, winning honors as Canada's top junior female athlete to cap a great year as our nation's top female gymnast. Whitby's finest ahtlete, she was 15th overall at the world championships in Rotter- dam, the best finish ever for a Canadian woman. And among her 90 odd gold medals and two major international championships, she has attained that pinnacle of skill with perfect 10's. Her errorless aerial twist on the parallel bars may result in her name being ap- plied to the move. And with the countdown underway toward the Summer Olympics, Whitby and the world will see and hear more of Strong. Not far beneath her on the '87 podium of success are Nieuwendyk and another athlete whose success goes largely goes unnoticed because of the lack of recognition of his sport. Jamie Crouch, now with partner Heather Paterson of Hamilton, is a petennial Canadian champion in the dance category of LORI STRONG the sport of roller skating, won a bronze medal in the Pan-American Games in August and is one of the best in the world at what. will be .a demonstration sport at the '88 Olympics. Crouch's style and skill, as well as the sport, may then earn wider appreciation. Nieuwendyk has been nothing short of astonishing in his rookie year. in the NHL, with four hat tricks (including two four-goal games) that help him lead the NHL in power play goals. An added bonus for the Calgary Flames is another Whitby product, Gary Roberts, a tough, grinding winger. And Whitby's Brad Dalgarno spent the first half of the season with the New York Islanders before heading back to the farm team.·But the big forward will likely be back. Known more for their team effor- ts are the members of the Brooklin Redmen, Whitby Ice Crystals, and Whitby major atoms. The Redmen, steeped with individual talent, have no competition locally but meet an equally strong team whenever in battle with New Westminster for the Mann Cup. In '87, the Redmen went west and returned east with that cup. The Ice Crystals are facing better and better competition each year in junior precision skating. But they're still the best in Canada as they won the title last March, their third national championship in a row. The novice team, the Ice Angels, just missed their third straight with a second-place finish in the nationals held in Quebec. Whitby's minor atom hockey team went to a fifth and final game before winning the Ontario cham- pionship. Those same players, now major atoms, hope to repeat in 1988. The Redmen, Crystals and atoms all deserve Whitby team of the vear honors. Performances in '87 that also merit mention: Chris Campbell, who was second in a Canadian open judo cozn- petition early in 1987 and first in an Ontario open in November. Watch for the 16-year-old in the Canadian event in 1988. Lori Melien, who is fast becoming one of Canada's premier JOE NIEUWENDYK is not only the top rookie but one of the NHL's best players thus far this season. backstrokers in the pool. Rich Dyment, a Whitby Warriors lacrosse team member who was selected to the Canadian field lacrosse team. Andrea .Bacchiocchi, one of On- tario's best female hurdlers. Steve Yorston, who set a Canadian interscholastic record in the 110-metre hurdles. Brett Herod, another Henry Street High School track star. Stephanie Taylor, a Trafalgar Castle·student who also excells in the sprints. Billy Heaney, a Whitby resident who attends Denis O'Connor high school in Ajax and whose soccer skills led the boys' team to the DYSSAA title and a spot in the '88 Ontario final. Keith Primeau, a rising hockey star now in his first year with Hamilton Steelhawks in junior A as well as for Harnilton's junior B team, and a member of the Ontario under-17 team. Craig Donaldson, a strong player for Oshawa Generals. Craig Fisher, having a good season with Oshawa's junior B Legionaires in hockey. Margot Jacobs of Brooklin, member of the Ontario women's field lacrosse team. Anderson CVI rugby team, Wi- ners of the DYSSAA (Durham- York) title. The under-13 soccer team, only one of Whitby's fine soccer teams, which added a tournament cham- pionship in Massachussetts- to its area league and playoff titles. Henry Street High School girls swim team, winners of the DYSSAA swim title (some mem- bers are from the Whitby Iroquois Swim Club). Andrew ' Motomura, gold medallist in judo at the Canada Games in Nova Scotia. Heather Van Patter, part of a doubles team that won the Canadian championship for under- 16 girls. Shayne Bayford, 12, and brother Corey, 10, both gold medallists in both provincial and national roller- skating competition; Barb Gould, first national in classic figures, Stephen Pacholzuk, first in novice -A freestyle nationally and with his partner first in dance pairs; Ken Leamen, first in sophomore freestyle nationally. AI Gilchrist's curling rink won the Ontario Curling Association in- à nrmediate championship. '87 REVIEW '87 REVIEW '87 REVIEW Iroquois expansion eost $4.2 milion At a cost of $4.2 million, the renovations and expansion to Iroquois Park recreation facility stayed within budget, says parks and recreation director Larry Morrow. Construction of a second ice-pad and new administrative area and renovations to Anne Ottenbrite Pool were completed in 1987 and of- ficialy opened in December. The Town received a grant of $692,000 from the Province towards the cost. Morrow said added expenses, such as $250,000 to repair water damage to the existing arena, are not included in the final cost of the expansion. However, he said he was unaware of where the funds came from to repair the water damage. Also last December, the Town began discussion on building a new complex on Rossland Rd. W. ad- jacent to the municipal building. '87 REVIEW Major peewees win two, JEFF GARLIN whoops it up as he carries the Mann Cup won by Brooklin Redmen in a close, thrilling seven-game lacrosse series with New Westminster in September. TEAM DENIED An application for a junior B hockey team in Brooklin was denied at a special meeting of the Metro Junior B Hockey League July 6 in Oshawa. According to Steve Cardwell, one of those who pushed for a Brooklin franchise, the committee turned down the ap- plication after questioning the strength of Brooklin-Whitby Minor Hockey Association to supply enough talent coming through the ranks to support a team. He told The Free Press they would either re-apply next year or look into pur- chasing another franchise and moving It toBrooklin. tie one in league play Whitby's major peewee hockey team gained two wins and a tie against only one loss in league play the week before Christmas. Brad Stella scored ail three goals, on set-ups by Conal Tackney, in a 3-3 tie with Ajax. Clayton Stillar scored twice while John McIvor, Peter Allison, Stella and Gregori French had the others in a 6-5 Whitby win over the Ajax team later that week. he WhItb em, spnsored by Elegance Hair Design, split games with Markham. Jordie Johnston and David Copeland scored in a 4-2 loss while Allison had. two and Johnston and Ryan Shanahan one a piece in a 4-1 win. Whitby goalie Zack Hayden continually frustrated Markham in the second game. Whitby was to play in tournamen- ts in Richmond Hill and Markham over the Christmas Iiolidays.