These are obviously interesting times. Sport Writers across the world have literally nothing to write about. Clearly, this is also true for a certain Collingwood Athletic Director who is used to bragging about the student-athletes he loves to cheer on every week.
However, we're not going to let a lack of games stop this sports blog. We're going to continue to profile Collingwood's top student-athletes. We're starting with Grade 12's who by all rights should be starring in Term 3 sports right now. Please enjoy learning more about these amazing young men and women:
OLIVIA TILLER
SPORTS PLAYED AT COLLINGWOOD:
Alpine Skiing, Volleyball, Badminton, Track and Field
FAVOURITE COLLINGWOOD SPORTS MOMENT(S):
Winning three provincial banners in Whistler in my Grade 9 year
The team bus trips to Provincials every season
Coach Ramsden crying when we found out we won three provincial banners in Smithers in my Grade 11 year
ATHLETES WHO HAVE INSPIRED YOU OR FAVOURITE ATHLETE:
Every ski season I am inspired by the new and veteran members of the ski team. Even though while you race, ski racing is not a team sport, watching my teammates charge in their runs always inspires me to ski the best that I can. I am incredibly grateful for the amazing athletes and teammates I have had during these past five years on the ski team.
UNIVERSITY YOU ARE GOING TO NEXT YEAR:
Dalhousie University
BILL YAO
SPORTS PLAYED AT COLLINGWOOD:
Rugby (Gr 9-12), Basketball (Gr 8-12), Swimming (Gr 8-9)
FAVOURITE COLLINGWOOD SPORTS MOMENT(S):
1. Being apart of the 2018 Senior Rugby Team. It was a tour year and I really bonded with my friends and teammates in Australia. Finishing the season undefeated and winning the provincial championship was also the perfect end. It was incredible to be apart of such a strong team as a Grade 11 and I was really happy for the Grade 12's.
2. Winning the 2020 Cavs Classic against my old school and our rival Mulgrave. We beat a 4A team to get to the finals in a seemingly impossible game. The final win just topped it off so well. We played Mulgrave at the beginning of the season and lost by a 20-point margin. It felt amazing to get the win over them this time and beat them by 20. A 40-point turn around in only 2 months' time is not easy so I'm incredibly proud of our team and proud to be a part of it.
3. Scoring a career-high against Handsworth in Grade 9. Coming from China I didn't really play any sports until Grade 8. When I came here I was extremely uncoordinated and un-athletic. I worked really hard through the summer leading up to Grade 9 to prepare for the basketball and rugby season, but I dislocated my kneecap in Term 1 which really set me back. During the Handsworth game, it felt really good to see my work pay off and be at 100% again. I scored a career-high 16 points with three 3's in a row in the 4th quarter.
ATHLETES WHO HAVE INSPIRED YOU OR FAVOURITE ATHLETE:
I don't particularly have a favorite athlete, but if I had to pick one, it'd probably be Michael Phelps. It was crazy to see him break record after record on the Olympic stage, and to come out of retirement after some rough years and still compete really shows his mental and physical strength.
UNIVERSITY YOU ARE GOING TO NEXT YEAR:
Boston University, UBC, or Syracuse
FAVOURITE SPORTS TEAM:
NBA's Dallas Mavericks