WESMEN NEWS FOR WEEK OF September 16 – 22/2002

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Wed. Sept. 18 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Intra-Squad Games
Booster Potluck – 5:30pm
Men and Women – 7:30pm

Thurs. Sept. 19 Men’s and Women’s Volleyball vs. Alumni
Men and Women – 7:30pm
Reception to follow

General Wesmen News
- All four Wesmen athletic teams participated in the U of W’s annual rock climb on a sunny fall afternoon at the downtown campus this past Friday. Unfortunately the sports teams finished well back of the winners. However, Oliver Leslie, Phil Swart and Kevin Yeboah of the Men’s Basketball Team had their scaling attempt snapped by a Winnipeg Free Press photographer for Saturday’s paper.

- Rosters for this year’s teams are now finalized and the lead-up to the season openers is beginning. All four teams are in action this week with the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams Intra-squad games taking place on Wednesday along with the Booster Potluck. As well the Volleyball teams taking on their alumni on Thursday with a reception to follow.

- In the High School Boys Volleyball tournament held at the Duckworth Centre over the weekend the River East Kodiaks triumphed over the Mennonite Brethren Hawks in the final. 20 teams and over 300 athletes participated in the successful event.

- This upcoming weekend the rural boys teams get their turn with 20 teams taking part at the Duckworth Centre.

- The Women’s Basketball Team held a successful 3 on 3 tournament this past week. 30 girls and boys teams from grades 5 to 12 participated in the always popular event.

Women’s Basketball
Headline: OUTSIDE CHANCE
Last Week:
This year’s team has 13 players on the roster – featuring nine returnees from coach Tanya McKay’s National bronze medal winning team. There were no surprises in try-outs but the squad has a hole to fill with All-Canadian Heather Thompson forced to sit out the year to recuperate from a torn ACL. Coach McKay says the team will be very experienced and a constant threat from long-range.
“We will be a very perimeter-oriented team this year,” she says.
This Week:
This year’s Intra-Squad game takes place on Wednesday @ 7:30pm. All Interested Boosters are reminded of the Potluck at 5:30 prior to the game.

Men’s Volleyball
Headline: CONNECTION TO THE PAST IMPORTANT
Last Week:
Coach Larry McKay’s team capped off try-outs with a competitive intra-squad game last week. There are seven returnees on this year’s team – and new recruits – Dave Bishop from Lethbridge, Alberta and Clayton Cross from Jeanne Sauve Collegiate are off to strong starts.

This Week:
The Men are part of an alumni night on Thursday night @ 7:30pm. Coach McKay stresses the importance of embracing the tradition at the U of W.

“It’s an opportunity to connect this team with teams of the past,” says McKay. “These guys need to know they’re part of a nine-time National Championship Program – that’s the most important part.”

Coach McKay will also be back on the National Men’s Team’s bench Monday night as Team Canada takes on the Netherlands in the finale of a three match exhibition series. McKay is serving as a guest coach for the World Championship tune-up. Canada has played very well and has taken two matches from the 6th ranked Dutch already. Could McKay be one of the reasons?

“They better buy me a ticket to Argentina,” he joked.

Women’s Volleyball
Headline: RECRUITS IMPRESS
Last Week:
After try-outs, coach Diane Scott’s 2002-03 edition of the Wesmen kicked off the season with an Intra-Squad game last week. This year’s team has 11 returning players and coach Scott is excited about the upcoming campaign. A pleasant surprise was Laura Meisner a walk-on who will red-shirt for the team this year. She asked for a try-out in May and showed well during try-outs. Coach Scott says she’ll be a welcome addition to the squad. Recruits Christa Desroches and Lee Hrenchuk both out of Vincent Massey High School in Winnipeg have performed well in the early stages of the season. As has Kaitlyn Jackson of Major Pratt High School in Russell, Manitoba. Another welcome addition is St.Pierre, Manitoba’s Jocelyn Roy who is returning from a year of playing in the United States.

“We have depth at every position,” says coach Scott. “The recruits are good and every one is a year older – we are more consistent across the board.”

This Week:
The team takes on ‘stars from the past’ in the annual alumni game on Thursday night @ 7:30pm. Recption to follow.

Men’s Basketball
Headline: TALENT POOL DEEP
Last Week:
This year’s edition of Coach Dave Crook’s Wesmen are gearing up for battle in Canada West. The team features ten returning players including 5th year forward Dan Duggan and Aldin Smalling, who started every game as a freshman last season. Highly recruited high school player of the year, Erfan Nasajpour, who is coming off a summer with the Junior National Team, is expected to make an immediate impact. Notable additon Paul Alao, out of Murdoch McKay Collegiate is returning to the Wesmen after playing for former coach Bill Wedlake a few years back.

“We have a good depth of talent,” says Crook, who is in his second season with the team.

This Week:
The Intra-Squad game takes place at the Duckworth Centre on Wednesday @ 7:30pm.