Local Sports

Baton twirling often conjures up images of marching bands and beauty pageants, but two Olds residents are taking the obscure sport much further – all the way across the ocean, in fact.

The Olds Spitfires Peewee A team defended their provincial title, capturing gold for a second straight year at the Tier II championship, held in St. Albert, July 21-23.

Although this July marked the 20th annual 24 Hours of Adrenalin mountain bike race in Canmore, Sundre resident Jack Grimstead participated for his first time.

DIDSBURY - The Didsbury Jets were crowned Tier 3 mosquito provincial champions at home on July 23 after beating Castor 9-1 in the final. The Jets ended up hosting provincials at Memorial Park at the last minute when no other venue was secured.

CARSTAIRS-DIDSBURY - A quartet of swimmers from the area will be competing in the Canada Summer Games later this week in Winnipeg.

The Olds Stingers capped their stellar season with a sweep of the Junior B Tier III provincial championships, hammering the Brooks Drillers 18-3 in the gold medal game, held on home turf at the Olds Sportsplex, July 16.

The Olds Curling Club will shine brightly in the upcoming season, in part thanks to a hefty donation from local grain company, Richardson Pioneer.

Fifteen-year-old hockey players will find a home this fall as a new regional team is lacing up to fill a void left now that Red Deer Minor Hockey Association has merged its two AAA minor midget teams.

While the Mavericks had a standout season, going 16-2, and dropping only two games to their rivals from Lethbridge, the Olds Junior B Tier II lacrosse team was unable to defend last year's provincial title, and even bronze evaded them this past weeke

DIDSBURY - For most of the year Harold Northcott works as the CAO for the Town of Didsbury, but for a couple of weeks this summer he will be stepping into a role as pitching coach for Team Alberta at the Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg from July 28 t