Local sports: Spaling joins Niagara; Merrittville Speedway; Riverhawks acquire goalie
Former University of Waterloo volleyball player and team captain Natasha Spaling has been named as the new head coach of the Niagara College Knights women’s volleyball program.
Spaling, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the University of Alberta Pandas volleyball program, completed a Masters of Coaching degree while helping the Pandas to a pair of Canadian university silver medals.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Natasha to our women’s volleyball program” Niagara College intercollegiate coordinator Ray Sarkis said. “She is a talented and accomplished young coach that brings terrific volleyball experience and academic credentials.
“Her understanding of what it takes to be successful both in the classroom and on the court will make her a true asset to our varsity complement.”
The native of Drayton, Ont., is excited to be joining Niagara.
“I am really looking forward to a great season with these fantastic student-athletes, and being a part of the 2019 CCAA (Canadian Colleges Athletic Association) Championship hosted here at Niagara.”
Spaling has coached with youth indoor and beach volleyball programs in both Ontario and Alberta, including the KW Predators and Jr. Pandas volleyball clubs. She has been a coach at the Volleyball Canada Centre for Excellence. This summer, she’s coaching the 17U Team Ontario girls’ volleyball program.
Niagara opens its training camp Sept. 11.
MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY
Brent Begolo won two features at Merrittville Speedway’s 2 Cool Automotive Canada Day Celebration.
The Thorold native finished first in the 15-lap Vansickle Pet Valu & Groomindale’s Modified Lite Featured the 25 lap Event for in the David Chevrolet Sportsman Division.
Other winners included: Mike Bowman of St. Catharines, S&W Service Centre 358 Modified Feature; Brad Sheehan of St. Catharines, Hoosier Stock Division; defending champion Tony Kelly of Niagara Falls, Central Fabricating & Welding 4 Cylinder Division; Adam Plazek of Caistor, Dave’s Auto & Speed Centre V6 Division Feature; and, John MacWhirter, Vansickle Pet Valu & Groomingdale’s Enduro by Niagara College Division.
Below are the complete results:
S&W Service Centre 358 Modified Feature (35 laps): Mike Bowman, Chad Brachmann, Gary Lindberg, Ryan Susice, Pete Bicknell, Tommy Flannigan, Mat Williamson, Todd Gordon, Fred Carleton, Tom Richau, Adam Leslie, Tom Neale, Tim Jones, Scott Wood.
David Chevrolet Sportsman Division Feature (25 laps): Brent Begolo, Rob Knapp, Paul Gaboury, Adam Leslie, James Friesen, Dave DiPietro, Trevor Wright, Jay Mallory, Justin Sharp, Ryan Ferri, Robbie Johnston, Derek VanMil, Dave Small, Noah Mamo, Greg Panunte, Chris Bellamy, Corey Gruhl, Lee Mallory, Jason VanMil, Chris Storm.
Hoosier Stock Division Feature (20 laps): Brad Sheehan, Dave Bailey, Rob Murray, Kyle Pelrine, Chris Hale, Tanner Podwinski, Dave Small, Ian Blanchard, Steve Vanderzanden, Bill Podwinski, Robin Mortensen, Brian Teeple, Chris Schneider.
Vansickle Pet Valu & Groomingdale’s Modified Lite Division Feature (five laps): Brent Begolo, Tyler Winger, Chris Perry, Randy Giroux, RJ Pietz, Josh Sliter, Rob Misener, Ryleigh Sliter, Zach Trotter, Ray Sliter Jr., 291, Chris Watson, Marty deMoel.
Central Fabricating & Welding 4 Cylinder Division (15 laps): Tony Kelly, Jay Moulton, Alex Riley, Austyn Werstroh, Kyle Haynes, Clinton Nicholls., Sam Iftody, 2. 17, Chris Laskey, Mike Giberson, Dave Hoyle, Cameron Lane, Anthony Kelly, Dan McKay, Jeremy Cooper, Vincent Pagnotta, Cole Hardy.
Dave’s Auto and Speed Centre V6 Division Feature (12 laps): Adam Plazek, John Couture, Kevin Conley, Nick Hendricks, 2B, Tina Ronning, Chris Mussat.
RIVERHAWKS ACQUIRE GOALIE
The Niagara RiverHawks junior C hockey team has acquired goaltender Mathew Boere from the North Middlesex Stars in exchange for cash considerations.
Boere is a second-year student at Brock University. Niagara also resigned forward Bailey Pritchard. Pritchard had 17 goals and 41 points in 41 games last season.
