Astros earn golden SSNL banner

It's been a golden year for athletics at Pearson Academy - formerly known as Lester Pearson Memorial High School - in Wesleyville.

Coaches Craig Loder (athletic director), Bryan Green, Reg Tulk, Kelly Faulkner-Kean, Duane Smith and Adam Howse were busy hosting cross-country running regionals, boy's volleyball regionals and provincials, as well as both table tennis and badminton regionals - which were all firsts for Pearson Academy.

The school also won seven regional banners - 3A boy's volleyball, 3A girl's volleyball, senior girl's cross-country running, 3A table tennis, 3A badminton, 3A boy's track and field and 3A girl's track and field.

Because of all the athletic achievements the Astros earned throughout the year, the school earned a School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador gold banner - yet another first for the school.

When looking at the teams the Astros compete against in this region, Loder said the gold banner is an enormous accomplishment, and one that was met with huge applause when the announcement was made to the school body on May 26 during the school's athletic banquet.

"Yes, it is a big deal because in a region such as ours, where there are so many (school) teams, it's tough to get the points," said Loder. "But we hosted a lot of events and we won seven regional banners."

The 3A school earned more than the required 1,050 points needed to receive a SSNL gold banner - the standard for 3A schools. The Astros earned 115 points in slo-pitch, 200 in cross-country running, 295 in volleyball, 95 in basketball, 200 in badminton, 250 in table tennis, 125 in ball hockey, and 125 in track and field, for a total of 1,405.

SSNL uses a rubric system to determine the points earned by schools throughout the year. Schools that participate in provincial qualification tournaments earn 25 points, hosting a qualification tournament is worth 25 points, winning the qualification tournament is worth 50 points, finishing second is worth 25 points, and earning a sportsmanship medal at the qualifying tournament is worth 50 points. Also, hosting a provincial tourney is worth 50 points, finishing first at provincials is worth 100 points, second is 75, third is 50, and fourth is 25. Winning a provincial sportsmanship banner is worth 100 points, and carrying the maximum number of players is worth a maximum of 100 points.

Loder was proud of what the Astros were able to do throughout the year, and said the gold banner signifies what's to come in athletics at the school.

"The occasion recognized the accomplishments of students and their parents who supported school sports; coaches and volunteers, who gave their all to make this year the best on record for Pearson Academy; and to begin a new legacy for Pearson Academy," he said.

It was also announced at the award ceremony that Jared Stokes was the school's male athlete of the year, while Jenna Burry received the honour among females.

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