Sport Shorts: A Perfect Debut
Top Prospect Performs: 2008 Olympian and Toronto Blue Jays third base prospect Brett Lawrie made his much-anticipated Major League debut over the weekend and didn’t disappoint. The Langley, B.C. native got his first career hit on his first career at-bat Friday night in Baltimore, going two-for-four with a run batted in. Two days later, Lawrie was equally impressive, hitting his first big-league home run, also against the Orioles. Lawrie’s family was in attendance for his big moment, including sister and fellow Beijing Olympian, Danielle, the ace of Canada’s softball pitching staff. Lawrie heads back to Toronto to prepare for his home debut at the Rogers Centre this week, with a series against the Oakland Athletics.
Tennis Title: Aleksandra Wozniak (Blainville, Que.) is heating up heading into Canada’s biggest tennis tournament. After fighting back from tendonitis in her forearm, Wozniak won the Odlum Brown Vancouver Open on Sunday, defeating American Jamie Hampton in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1. Wozniak now prepares for the Rogers Cup at Toronto’s Rexall Centre, where she will face Israel’s Shahar Pe’er in the first round.
The Rogers Cup continues until August 14, with several Canadians looking to make their marks on home soil. Be sure to head to our homepage and tell us which Canadian you think will have the biggest impact in Toronto or Montreal!
National Champions Repeat: Two of Canada’s top BMX riders successfully defended their national titles over the weekend. Tory Nyhaug (Coquitlam, B.C.) and Sabrina Millman (Cochrane, Alta.) both won their respective races to remain Canadian champions. In the men’s race, Jim Brown (Airdrie, Alta) won silver and Connor McCormack (Kelowna, B.C.) claimed the bronze, while the women’s podium featured Sarah Biron (Québec City, Que.) in second and Anne Laplante (Québec City, Que.) in third. For complete results go to:
Hanging up the Discus: Canada’s best discus thrower has decided to call it quits. Three-time Olympian Jason Tunks (London, Ont.) officially announced his retirement on Thursday, leaving the sport with multiple Canadian records. Tunks’ accomplishments include the current Canadian record for discus throw at 67.88 metres, 14 National Championships, five World Championship appearances, and a sixth place finish at the Olympic Games. Tunks will turn his focus to managing Olympic Fitness, a 6,000-square foot facility he and his wife opened in 2008.
Testing Time: A number of Canadian athletes have been in London this month, competing at official test events on the venues that will be used at next summer’s Olympic Games. Prior to heading home from the World Aquatic Championships, Canada’s swimmers took a dive into the London Aquatics Center, while mountain biker Catharine Pendrel won the test run at the Hadleigh Farm in Essex. Top triathlete Paula Findlay made the trip over the Atlantic, testing out the three-part course in Hyde Park over the weekend, while wrestlers got acquainted with the ExCeL London wrestling venue. Other sports testing out their venues this month include sailing, rowing, badminton, beach volleyball, marathon swimming, basketball, and cycling (Road and BMX). The test events will continue to run though May 2012.
