Local lacrosse players help team win bronze

Caledon players Michael Burke, Jeff Sehl, Bradley Sztorc, Jared Lockhurst, Chad Cummings and Kyle Davis played on the Brampton midget A Excelsiors lacrosse team, which earned bronze at the summer games.

The Brampton DeWalt Midget A Excelsiors box lacrosse team earned a trip to the Ontario Summer Games in Ottawa held Aug. 9-13 by finishing as one of the top eight teams in Ontario. This team was well represented by six local boys from around Caledon, many of who bring years of lacrosse history through their families.

The Excelsiors placed third out of 14 teams at the

Ontario Lacrosse Association Provincial Qualifiers held in London and Whitby in July, which solidified a berth at the Summer Games where they brought home the bronze medal.

These were the 19th Ontario Summer Games. During the Summer Games 19 sports were on the program including baseball, basketball, cycling, field hockey, lacrosse, rugby, sailing, shooting, soccer, etc. The Games promote the highest level of competition in Ontario for athletes 22 years and under. There were more than 3,000 athletes registered for these events with a huge spectator attendance. Dalton McGuinty, Ontario's premier, opened the Summer Games at the Lynx Stadium in Ottawa.

Michael Burke, a Caledon East resident, has played lacrosse as an Excelsior for his entire career. Michael is a sharpshooter who always is one of the top scorers for the team. Michael's father, Bob, is a member of both the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Michael attends Robert F. Hall secondary, but will be traveling to the U.S. to attend school this coming year.

Chad Cummings, a Caledon resident, began his lacrosse experience in 2000 with the Caledon Bandits. Over the past six years the Bandits progressed from "C" level lacrosse to "A," with some tournament wins along the way. Chad is an aggressive player who enjoys chasing down loose balls and challenging his opponents. Chad attends Mayfield secondary and is starting grade 10 this year.

Kyle Davis, from Caledon East, has spent all of his lacrosse years as an Excelsior. Kyle is a playmaker and one of the leading scorers for this Excelsior team. Kyle was chosen by the coaches at the qualifying tournament as an Ontario all-star. This is an honour that will be a highlight of Kyle's lacrosse career. Kyle is a Mayfield student who has played on the school lacrosse team for two years. Kyle is entering Grade 11 at Mayfield.

Jared Lockhurst, a Caledon boy, is a fourth generation Excelsior. Jared's great-grandfather is a member of the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame for lacrosse. Jared's father,

Jim, played his entire career in Brampton, including winning the Eastern Canadian Champions in 1976 and the Mann Cup in 1980. Jared started out his lacrosse experience playing in Brampton, then moved to the Caledon Bandits for six years. This year Jared returned to the Excelsiors for his midget year. Jared excelled this year as a determined player, never hesitating to work for the ball and cause the opposition some grief. Jared is a Grade 10 Mayfield student who last year played on the school team.

Jeff Sehl, who lives in Caledon East, has also spent his lacrosse career in Brampton. Jeff enjoyed the team's success this year and the camaraderie of the team. Jeff also has roots in lacrosse as his grandfather, Bruce Wanless, is a

member of the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame and an Excelsior alumni. Jeff is a stay-at-home defenceman who made it his goal to keep the other teams from scoring. Jeff is entering Grade 11 at Humberview and has played for two years on the school lacrosse team.

Bradley Sztorc, a Bolton resident, played lacrosse with the Caledon Bandits from 2000 until last year. This year Bradley joined the Excelsiors midget A team. Bradley's speed on the floor and his powerful shot was an asset to the team. Bradley is starting Grade 10 at Robert F. Hall.

In addition to winning bronze in box lacrosse, these boys played on the Brampton Excelsiors field lacrosse team which finished fourth in the province in the spring.