Local Olympian awarded Diamond Jubilee Medal

Sport Shorts:

Airdrie Paralympian Earle Connor is one of 60,000 Canadians who was awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal. The medal was created in February 2011 by Queen Elizabeth II to recognize the contributions and achievements of Canadians and their dedication to their communities. Connor was awarded the medal by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at a ceremony in Calgary, Oct. 9.

“It was an honour and a privilege to be in the presence of so many people who have committed so much time and energy to make their communities stronger,” Connor said.

Connor had a brief opportunity to meet the Prime Minister at the event, which also honoured former Calgary Flame Sheldon Kennedy. Connor and Kennedy join a number of high profile athletes and sports personalities who have been awarded the Diamond Jubilee medal, including former Toronto Maple Leaf Wendel Clark, CBC Sports anchor Scott Russell and former Olympic speedskater Jeremy Wotherspoon.

“It leads a lot of credit to the progression of paralympic sports in our country,” said Connor. “It’s a good example of how in par with each other we are no matter what sport you play. We’re on the same level playing field by being honoured by our particular country and that’s not the case everywhere.”

Connor participated in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London in July, where he placed fourth in the T-42 100-metre sprint.

Airdrie Aces

The Airdrie Aces Athletics Club continued its season by racing in the Leduc Bole Classic Cross Country Race, Oct. 6.

In the eight-to-nine-year-old girls division, Jasmine Szucs placed fourth in the 1,000-metre race while Lilie Szucs placed 16th. In the boys category, Prince Roberts won one of three bronze medals.

Ava Sleik won bronze in the 10-to-11-year-old 1,000-metre race while in the 12-to-13-year-old 2,000-metre run, Brooklyn Brabant placed sixth and Grace Gwozd placed 16th.

In the 12-to-13-year-old boys 2,000-metre race, Prinex Roberts won bronze while Terryl Shomanchuk came in seventh. Corwin Shomanchuk placed fourth in the 14-to-15-year-old boys 4,000-metre race while Prince Roberts finished eighth.

The Aces will compete in the fourth race of the Alberta Saucony Cross Country series Oct. 13 in Edmonton.

Airdrie Storm

The Airdrie Storm bantam football team lost to the Calgary Cowboys Grey, 64-32, at Shouldice Field, Oct. 13. The team, which is sitting in third place in the Calgary Bantam Football Association’s (CBFA) North division with six points, has one more regular season game before playoffs. The Storm will play the Calgary Mavericks Black, Oct. 13 at Shouldice Park’s Encana Field at 11 a.m. before playoffs on Oct. 20.

AC Avalanche

The AC Avalanche opened its Alberta Minor Midget AAA season with a 4-2 loss against the Rockyview Raiders, Oct. 6. Chad Harrison and Kyle Antochow scored for the Avalanche while William Conley scored a pair of goals for the Raiders. Eric Theander has a goal and two assists for Rockyview while Brendan Moore added a single tally. The Raiders and the Avalanche are both in action Oct. 13 with the Avalanche hosting and CBHA Blackhawks and Rockyview visiting the Southeast Hounds.