Today we wrap up our look back at the year 2011 in sports in the Comox Valley. Here's hoping for continued success to all our local athletes and teams in the new year.
NOVEMBER
• The Comox Valley Baseball Association organized a homecoming party for Taylor Green to help celebrate his successful season with the Milwaukee Brewers' organization. An auction helped raise funds for ballpark fencing.
• The Vanier Towhees finished third at the Vancouver Island senior boys volleyball championships.
• Maverick Hatch was enjoying a great season of pro beach volleyball. He and his playing partner have their sights set on future Olympics appearances.
• The Comox Valley Road Runners held their annual Memorial Run, one of many events they sponsor throughout the year.
• Deb Goodwin's rink (Lonnie Schopp, Kim Jonsson, Lori Ross) were the Dominion Club champions representing B.C. at the Canadian championships in Richmond.
• The Comox Valley Cubs didn't win the title but had lots of fun at the Roy Hobbs World Series in Florida.
• The Vanier Towhees senior boys football team advanced to the Island playoffs.
• Comox Valley United men's soccer team were undefeated and leading the way in Div. 3B of the Vancouver Island Soccer League.
• Skiers and snowboarders were gearing up for another season on the slopes at Mount Washington Alpine Resort.
• Former high school stalwarts Ryan MacKinnon, Calvin Westbrook, Keenan Milburn, Brad Gunter, Tiffany Olsen and Chelsea Olsen were enjoying success at the CIS level.
• The Dean Thulin rink dominated the Golden Hammer Bonspiel.
• Dustin "Disorder" Porter of the CV Bulldogs won his MMA fight at ACF 7 Breakout in Victoria.
• Twins Adam and Scott Commandeur qualified for the B.C. high school cross-country championships.
• Lisa Cunningham won her doubles division title at the world skeet championships in San Antonio, Texas.
• The Highland Raiders senior and junior boys volleyball team combined into one squad and with Vanier coach Brian McAskill leading them posted some impressive results.
DECEMBER
• Cincinatti Reds pitching prospect Kyle Lotzkar returned to the Comox Valley to visit his friend and trainer Marc St. Jules and to help raise food and clothing for the Comox Valley Food Bank.
• Mount Washington Alpine Resort was still awaiting the return of La Nina as the expected big dumps of snow had yet to materialize.
• Brett McLean, who has represented Canada at the international level several times, was named to this year's Canadian national men's team for the Spengler Cup hockey tournament in Davos, Switzerland.
• The Isfeld Ice junior girls won the Vanier Towhees basketball tournament.
• Goalie Cole Holowenko was high on the list of WHL 2012 draft prospects. The former Comox Valley Midget Chiefs netminder is currently with the Prince Albert Raiders.
• The NHL Oldtimers, led by Hall of Famers Bryan Trottier and Glenn Anderson, announced they will return to the Comox Valley in the new year to take on the Vancouver Island Law Enforcement Team in fundraiser for Cops for Cancer.
• Comox Valley Triathlete Club members Audrey Erlandson and Don Blacklock wrapped up their season with stamina-testing events in the American desert.
• The Isfeld Ice senior boys got their basketball season off to a strong start by winning their own tournament.
• The Comox Valley Kickers men's rugby team's only loss of the season was to a more experienced Velox Valhallians squad in the VIRU Div. 3 championship.
• Motocross riders wrapped up their successful Island season with their annual awards banquet.
• The Highland Raiders senior boys finished sixth at the B.C. championships with Noah Lewis a first team all-star.
• The Comox Valley Sports & Social Club continued another successful season with teams competing in a wide variety of sports.