Mission Accomplished. Brian McLennon, OP Sports Editor

The Douglas College badminton team completed the sea- son undefeated by winning the third and final competition at Malaspina College. Douglas, who played without star rookie Charmagne Yeung, amassed a league-record 232 points. It was Douglas College’s first Provincial title in four years.

After finishing last season in second place, the team went through many changes, with only Alice Lee returning from the 2005 edition. The team added depth on both the Men’s and Women’s teams, a move that seemed to pay divi- dends this season as every member of the team made a significant contribution to the team’s success.

Leading the way at Malaspina was Alvin Lau, who caused a major upset by defeating the #1 seed and favourite to win the National championships, Kiran Bogavelli in what had to be the match of the season. After losing the first game 17-5, Alvin stepped up his game and went on to win the exciting match played with lots of emotion.

On the Women’s side it was business as usual for Lyndsay Thomson. Thomson won her third tournament of the season and finished undefeated in Women’s Singles. Aki Ito also put in her best performance of the season. Ito teamed up with Alice Lee to win the Women’s Doubles over teammates Dawn Clark and Lyndsay Thomson, and also won the Mixed Doubles with recent “player of the week,” Jan Veiel.

With the team’s first goal accomplished, they now pre- pare for the provincial qualification tournament to be held next weekend in Kamloops. Lyndsay Thomson will look to continue her winning ways and qualify for the National Championships in the Women’s Singles event. Alvin Lau will team up with Charmagne Yeung and will be favoured to win the Mixed Doubles event.

The National Championships will be held in Calgary, Alberta early March.

SPORTS —

Rugby Rundown

Dave Pearcey, OP Contributor

1st division men: United 43 — Surrey 15

United scored right off the opening kick-off and led throughout. Tries were scored by Brock Trimble (2), Brian McKatyn (2), Mike Collins, Greg Doucette and Tim Phillips. Phillips added 4 conversions.

2nd division men: United 20 — Surrey 20

United led by seven until a late converted try tied it for

the Beavers. Tries for United came from Greg Cook (2) and Craig Braconnier.

3rd division men: United 28 — Chilliwack 41

1st division women: United 0 — Velox 15

United lost on the Island to first place Velox. Velox was full value for the win, although the referee disallowed apparent tries by Alicia Noger and Liz Robbins.

2nd division women: United 31 - Comox 10

After shaking off the rust of a long layoff, United got tries from Tia Staller (2), Rikkilee Jones, Sarah McCallum, and Kelly Peterson. Three converts by Peterson rounded off the scoring.

Next week, the club has a full slate of home games. Men vs. Seattle at Queens park and women 1st division vs. University of Victoria at Hume park.

The Womens 2nd division plays UNBC on Sunday at Glen park in Coquitlam, while the Premier division squad travels to Bayside.

Photos by Jerald

Walliser, South Paw Photography

mclennonb@douglas.be.ca

The Way to the Promised Land McNeill named Athlete of the Week

Brian McLennon, OP Sports Editor

Douglas athletes continue to shine, as Royals Women’s Basketball star Tara McNeill is the third Royals’ recipient of a BCCAA Athlete of the Week this semester. The 5’8” junior forward, graduated from Handsworth Secondary School in North Vancouver, BC. McNeill is an extremely competitive athlete, adapts well within the game, and proves to be a diffi- cult match up when she is hitting her jump shot.

McNeill currently leads the Royals in assists, steals, min- utes played, and scoring productivity and is second in the team’s scoring and rebounding.

In a pivotal game against Capilano on February 11, McNeill recorded a double-double, scoring 22 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, along with dropping 5 dimes (assists) and 3 picks (steals) in a 62-52 win. The victory lifted the Royals into top position of a four-way battle for a final play- off spot as the race for 4th—6th place was deadlocked between Douglas, Capilano, Kwantlen, and UNBC—each team with 16 points in the standings.

The Royals will be depending on their court leader this upcoming weekend as they head into the BCCAA Championships at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, BC. For information on game times and dates, please visit the Royal Athletics website at: www.douglas.bc.ca/csrw/athletics.

FEOWACLS

UPCOMING GAMES

Thursday, February 23 Volleyball — BCCAA Provincial Championships

(Abbotsford, BC)

Women’s game (TBA)

+ Check Athletics website for details.