Two local youth dart players proved they could play with the best in the country and come out on top.
Brayden Legge of Shallop Cove scored gold in the junior male singles category at the recent National Darts Federation of Canada’s 2011 National Youth Championships in Edmonton, Alta.
Robin Barnes of Heatherton defended her 2010 junior female singles title at the tournament and came out once again with the top spot.
Brayden and Robin teamed up for the junior mixed doubles playoffs and finished in second place.
Robin and Danielle Hynes won silver for this province in the junior female doubles playoffs, as did Brayden and Brandon Gillam in the junior male doubles category. Brandon scored a bronze medal in the junior male singles competition.
Team Newfoundland and Labrador won third place in the Nodor Cup Championships, which also took place at the tournament.
In addition to Robin and Danielle, the junior female team had Samantha MacNeil as an alternate. The junior male team had Mitchell Cormier as an alternate.
Senior female athletes competing for this province at the national games were Stephanie Noseworthy and Kelly Bennett, while Andrew Lee and Owen Morris competed in the senior male division.
“Although the seniors did not win any medals, their strong play helped Team Newfoundland and Labrador win yet another medal – a bronze,” said coach Morley Greening.
“The Canada Cup is given to the team that has the most victories during the three-day tournament and only Ontario and Alberta had more, getting the silver and gold medals, respectively.”
He noted this was a year of rebuilding for Team Newfoundland and Labrador and they showed at this tournament they were a strong force.
“The players and coaches were extremely pleased with their results and are determined to do even better next year when they travel to Thunder Bay, Ont.” - Coach Morley Greening
“The players and coaches were extremely pleased with their results and are determined to do even better next year when they travel to Thunder Bay, Ont.,” said the coach.
‘Really exciting’
“It was fun, but it was a tough competition,” said Brayden, who practiced an hour and a half daily leading up to the nationals.
While he managed to keep his cool for most of the tournament, Brayden found playing in the junior male singles division to be the most difficult.
“That’s where I lost my focus, I would get frustrated easy,” said Brayden, noting there was a friendly challenge amongst himself and teammate Brandon to see who would finish with the highest standing. Brayden won over Brandon three games to two in a best of five series.
It was a final double in the fifth game of the championship round that secured Brayden the top spot.
“It was frustrating, but it was fun,” he said. “I finished with a double 16. It was really exciting.”
Another highlight for Brayden was a visit by three buddies now living in Alberta – Mark Sheppard, Shane Colombe and Jason Tobin.
Back home in Newfoundland, Brayden’s first place trophy found a temporary home atop the awards case at his school, Our Lady of Mercy in St. George’s.
“We’re very proud of him and the whole team,” said Principal Wallace Childs. “These are such a great accomplishments for all of them.”
