High school sports kick into high gear this week as local athletes hit the track and turf.
Cross country competitors from Oak Bay and across the region will be at Lambrick Park Wednesday, Sept. 28 for first race of the season. Junior boys start at 3:45 p.m., followed by the girls at 4 p.m. and senior boys at 4:05 p.m.
In senior girls volleyball, Oak Bay hosts Spectrum and Vic High at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, while Glenlyon Norfolk School heads to Belmont to face the hosts and Claremont, and St. Michaels’ girls take on Stelly’s at Mt. Doug.
In rugby, the Castaway Wanderers premier women host Cowichan Saturday at 10 a.m. at Windsor Park, followed by the women’s team at 11:30 a.m., welcoming Cowichan. Men’s play follows, with the CW Ones hosting Nanaimo at 1 p.m. and the Premier men hosting cross-town rivals James Bay at 2:45 p.m.
Hitting the field hard this week are the men’s and women’s University of Victoria Vikes rugby teams.
UVic’s Wallace field hosts the action today (Friday, Sept. 23). The women play the University of Calgary Dinos at 5 p.m., followed by the men, who host the Westshore Valhallians at 6:30 p.m.
The Vikes women return to the pitch the following Friday, Sept. 30, hosting Alberta at 5 p.m. at Wallace Field. Finally, the men finish the week Saturday, Oct. 1, playing the Castaway Wanderers at 2:45 p.m.
The UVic men’s and women’s basketball teams hit the hardwood, hosting the Guy Vetrie Memorial Tournament this week at CARSA gym.
The men start Thursday, Sept. 29 when UVic hosts Regina at 8 p.m. before playing McGill at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30. Finally, the men face McMaster at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1.
The Vikes women start play Thursday, Sept. 29, hosting Ottawa at 4 p.m. before facing UNBC Saturday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. For a full schedule visit www.govikesgo.com.
With the Vikes men’s soccer team on the road, the women return home Friday, Sept. 30 to host Thompson River at 5 p.m. at Centennial Stadium.
Turning to hockey, the Saanich Braves Midget Tier 1 team, which hosts players from Oak Bay, faces Juan de Fuca Tier 1 in pre-season action Saturday, Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. at Pearkes arena. Come cheer on the local boys before they head on the road to Campbell River Sunday.
Also on the road this week, the Victoria Cougars are at Pearkes arena Friday, Sept. 23 to take on the Saanich Braves at 6:30 p.m.
With a rare full week’s rest, the Cougars next hit the ice the following Friday, Sept. 30, visiting the Peninsula Panthers at Panorama arena at 7:30 p.m.
The Victoria Royals open regular season play with a four-game home stand.
The Royals host Prince George for two, tonight, Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, with the puck dropping at 7:05 p.m. both nights.
The boys in blue are back at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena Friday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 to host Kamloops at 7:05 p.m.
In men’s Div. 1 soccer, after a game in Comox on Saturday, Sept. 24 VISL Division 1 Bays United FC goes head-to-head against Lakehill on Friday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. at Braefoot Park.
Colin Gall is a local athlete and Grade 12 student at Mt. Douglas Secondary. Send your coming sports events to jocktalk@telus.net.
