Two of the greatest Island, if not provincial, high school sports dynasties of all-time continued unabated as Shawnigan Lake won its fifth consecutive sa国际传媒 boys鈥� triple-A rugby title at Rotary Stadium in Abbotsford with an edgy 17-12 decision over the top-ranked St. George鈥檚 Saints of Vancouver.
Oak Bay, meanwhile, ran, jumped and threw to its 10th sa国际传媒 high school track and field team title since 2001 by winning nine medals, including three golds, at McLeod Park in Langley by recording 93 overall points and eclipsing runner-up St. Thomas More鈥檚 82.
鈥淚t鈥檚 like a locomotive. We jumped on and kept it going,鈥� said Oak Bay head track and field coach Mike Sheffer, who in hoops, co-coached two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash at Arbutus Junior High.
鈥淭his is what [former Oak Bay track and field coach Keith Butler] has built. We just follow the model. We try to create a culture around certain sports [the Oak Bay boys volleyball team, which has produced national-team players, won the sa国际传媒 triple-A title earlier this season] and develop that culture.鈥�
Ben Weir of Glenlyon Norfolk School, who swept to gold in the 1,500- and 3,000-metre races, was named male performer of the meet.
It was part of a whirlwind weekend that included the Oak Bay Breakers鈥� run to the sa国际传媒 high school girls triple-A championship soccer game, which resulted in a 1-0 loss to the host and undefeated Argyle Pipers of North Vancouver. It was Oak Bay鈥檚 fourth provincial championship game appearance since 2004, under coach Brent Garraway, and fourth silver medal. Oak Bay 鈥� led by UVic Vikes-bound Elise Butler and Stephanie Badilla-Gutierrez 鈥� gave up only that one goal to Argyle in its last seven games.
In rugby, the Stags avenged a 20-15 loss to St. George鈥檚 earlier this season and a 21-0 loss to the Saints in the sa国际传媒 sevens championship game.
鈥淥ur kids take great pride in representing our school and in what we call the honour of wearing the jersey,鈥� said Shawnigan Lake head coach Tim Murdy, in his seventh year of guiding the Stags.
Recent Shawnigan Lake alumni include Matt Evans and Brett Beukeboom, both overseas pros and on the Canadian national team, and Conor McCann and Djustice Sears-Duru, both with the Canadian team at the 2013 IRB Junior World Trophy taking place in Chile.
This year鈥檚 Stags Grade 12 standouts include captain and No. 8 Oliver Nott from Cowichan Bay, inside centre Chis Miles from Victoria and fly-half Guiseppe DuToit from Maple Ridge, all likely headed next season to the UVic Vikes.
鈥淭he stage was set and the guys were well prepared physically, but more so mentally,鈥� said Murdy.
Murdy addressed a question about the grousing from some quarters in high school rugby that the Shawnigan Lake dynasty is perhaps too overpowering, although a five-point victory in the 2013 championship game can hardly be described as overwhelming.
鈥淲hen you are successful, there is always going to be a certain amount of animosity towards your team,鈥� he said.
鈥淧eople naturally cheer for the underdog. People can think what they want. We work hard and get the rewards for that hard work. We are proud of our school and proud of our kids.鈥�
