The Richmond News looks back at five of the biggest sports stories in 2016:
Racewalker an Olympic hero
There is no greater advocate for his sport and on a hot August day in Rio Evan Dunfee provided race walking the kind of recognition it has never had in Canada before.
The 26-year-old Richmond native showed tremendous athleticism, courage and sportsmanship in finishing fourth in the Olympic Summer Games men’s 50 km event.
Competing for just the fifth time in his career over that distance, Dunfee was the surprise leader for much of the race after overtaking medal favourite Yohann Dinitiz. As he passed the struggling Frenchman, Dunfee slowed down to pat him on the back and offered him words of encouragement to continue.
Dunfee was eventually reeled in by a chase group that included gold medalist Matej Toth of Slovakia, silver medalist Jared Tallent of Australia and Hirooki Arai of Japan. He was sitting fourth before making a late surge to pass Arai, only to bumped by him and lose his stride.
Dunfee never could recover and barely reached the finish line in fourth place — smashing the Canadian record by over two minutes.
A successful appeal by Athletics Canada put Dunfee in the bronze medal position. However, Japan submitted a counter appeal and the medal was awarded back to Arai. Athletics Canada had one other appeal route but Dunfee wanted the process to end, content with the ruling and his performance.
“I will sleep soundly tonight, and for the rest of my life, knowing I made the right decision. I will never allow myself to be defined by the accolades I receive, rather the integrity I carry through life,” he said.
From Richmond Minor to the Canucks
Just how many rep hockey players have come through the Richmond and Seafair minor hockey associations in the past decade chasing the dream of one day playing in the NHL? Troy Stecher not only chased it down, he is doing it for his hometown team.
It’s been a remarkable year for the 22-year-old who has spent much of his life proving you don’t have to be north of 6-feet and over 200 pounds to be a dominant defenceman. He did it for Richmond Minor, the Greater Vancouver Canadians, the B.C. Hockey League’s Penticton Vees then at the NCAA Division level at the University of North Dakota where he helped the Fighting Hawks win the national title last spring.
As an undrafted free agent, Stecher was a hot commodity. He skipped his final year of collegiate eligibility and signed with the Vancouver Canucks. Considered a relative longshot to make the roster, he had an impressive training camp and immediately became a fan favourite. After starting the season with the Canucks’ American Hockey League affiliate in Utica, he was called up in late October and has been a fixture on the blueline since, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game.
March Madness returns in a big way
Richmond high school basketball returned to the provincial map in a big way in 2016.
It started at the B.C. AAA Girls Championships where the McMath Wildcats reached the provincial title game, marking the first time that had happened for a Richmond school in 19 years. The Wildcats did lose to the No.1 ranked Brookswood Bobcats but in many ways these girls had already fulfilled their five-year dream just by being on the game’s biggest stage. Seniors Jessica Jones, Bobbi-Jo Colburn and Jessica Zawada have all gone on to play at the university level.
The depth of talent in the Richmond Senior Boys Basketball League was reflected in three teams reaching their respective provincial tournaments. The Steveston-London Sharks were joined by the McNair Marlins in the ‘AAA’ tier and the Cambie Crusaders competed at the ‘AA’ level.
The Sharks were the class of the city all season and continued their roll all the way to the provincial final before dropping a 78-71 thriller to the No. 1 ranked Southridge Storm. Grade 11 post Fardaws Aimaq turned in a spectacular 40 point and 32 rebound performance in a losing cause.
Run to nationals for Richmond FC
It was a 13-month journey that nearly resulted in a national title for Richmond F.C.
The senior women’s soccer team was a force right out of the gate in the Metro Women’s Soccer League’s Premier Division.
Richmond F.C. took a 19-1-1 overall record into the provincial final and rolled to a convincing 4-0 win over rival North Shore Renegades. The result sent the girls to the Canadian Championships in St. John’s Newfoundland in October — marking the first time a Richmond team had reached the national stage since 1986.
The locals continued their strong play in the Maritimes, advancing to the gold medal game before dropping a 2-0 decision to Quebec’s Royal-Select Beauport.
From gold medals to being a Golden Bear
When it comes to the hammer throw, Camryn Rogers is ahead of her time and it ultimately led to a lucrative scholarship deal south of the border.
The Grade 12 student at McMath Secondary and Kajaks member turned heads last spring when she shattered the Canadian youth and junior records with a toss of 59.73. It happened to take place in her own backyard — the Richard Collier Throws Fest at Minoru Park, named after her late coach who had meant so much to her career.
Despite her young age, Rogers was suddenly in position to represent Canada at the IAAF World U20 Track and Field Championships in Poland. She secured her team spot with another strong showing at nationals in Edmonton — winning the junior hammer and shot put events.
Already with plenty of university interest, Rogers’ rising stock got the attention of the University of California Berkeley. She was invited down for an official visit this fall and eventually signed with the renowned Pac 12 school.
