Western Canada Sum
mer Games Virden’s Carmen Ross helped a young Team Manitoba compete against many of the country’s top volleyball players at the 2015 Western Canada Games recently.
The Team Manitoba female volleyball team, including the daughter of Glenn Ross and Lea McPherson-Ross, finished fourth at the prestigious event held in Wood Buffalo, AB August 7-16. The volleyball squad competed in the Under 18 ranks, but more than half the team were actually under 16.
“Holding our own against older athletes who are arguably the top players in Canada is definitely something to be proud of,” Ross wrote in an email interview.
The Virden Collegiate Institute student was pleased with the way she competed at the Summer Games.
“Once the games started rolling and the nerves and the jitters worked themselves out, I feel the team as a whole, as well as myself individually, improved with every game,” Ross wrote. “I am pleased with my performance and can look back on the games with satisfaction.”
She was part of a Manitoba contingent that brought home the province’s most medals ever. Team ‘Toba nabbed 37 more medals than their previous best Summer Games. Manitoba finished third among the seven provinces and territories at the Summer Games. Ross was proud to represent the Keystone Province.
“It was an amazing feeling being able to put on a jersey with Manitoba’s name on it,” she wrote. “Going into games knowing that we had a whole province behind us cheering us on really helped me play to my full potential. Manitoba was also super supportive of each other. Different teams would go to other events and cheer each other on.”
She noted that Team Manitoba swimmers, female soccer players, and the men’s volleyball team, cheered them on. In return, Ross and the volleyball squad went to a men’s baseball game and a female soccer match.
She really enjoyed interacting with the other athletes from near and far.
“It was really awesome seeing all of the athletes that Manitoba, as well as the other provinces and territories, had to offer. The athletes’ village was fantastic as well. There were opportunities to meet athletes from other events and other provinces. Trading pins was a huge affair among athletes, coaches, and the volunteers there. There were also lots of card, board, and even video games being played by a mixture of athletes that helped us get to know each other as people rather than just as athletes. Knowing that I might not have ever met any of them without the Games makes it even more special.”
Ross also emphasized that it was an unforgettable experience walking into the closing ceremonies with the Manitoba contingent.
A member of VCI’s AAA provincial championship team, Ross has been supported and encouraged in her athletic endeavors by her family. In a profile on the Western Canada Summer Games website, Ross lists her older sister, Adelyn, as her personal role model.
“She makes an impact on my life every day because she is always there to support me during my games or competitions and offers me advice on how I can improve my game,” the profile read. Ross noted she was inspired to play sports from growing up watching her sister. Ross said her parents’ support of her is amazing.
“They are always in the stands at every game and absolutely love watching me succeed. Having their support and knowing that they are my No. 1 fans really helps me on and off the court,” wrote Ross, whose mother competed in the 1979 Western Canada Summer Games in basketball. “They help me get through the tough games and they make the good games even better.”
Patmore Baseball Bronz
e
Pipestone’s John Patmore helped Team Manitoba to the bronze in baseball. Manitoba dispatched Alberta 5-1 to claim the medals.
“Winning a medal was great,” Patmore wrote in an email interview. “It was a nice feeling knowing that we worked all winter, spring and summer to get to where we are today.”
The son of Robin and Linda Patmore appreciated the opportunity to compete at the Summer Games.
“What I enjoyed most about the Games was getting a chance to play at a higher level, and seeing the competition from the other provinces. It was also nice to know that everyone at the Games [has] the same drive you do in their respective sports.”
The versatile Patmore is a standout in both hockey and baseball. He has competed in the Power Smart Manitoba Summer and Winter Games. Patmore has an auto protect pick of the Virden Oil Capitals of the MJHL.
Kroeker Judo Bronze
Harding’s Melody Kroeker won a bronze medal in judo at the Summer Games,
“I found being awarded the bronze medal to be very exciting,” wrote Kroeker, who competed in a class for females over 48 kg up to and including 52 kg. “It meant that I accomplished something at a high competition level.”
The daughter of Walter and Laurie Kroeker enjoyed being a member of the provincial team. She said she learned a lot training for the Summer Games. She is a blue belt and plans on working towards to a brown belt. Kroeker is looking forward to more competitions in the coming year, including Brandon’s tournament.
Kroeker “is eager to help instruct and to learn,” wrote Patrick Johanneson, instructor at Brandon Judokan, in an email interview. “She's very strong and very fast.”
