Latest news with #MHSAA
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Air quality warnings impacting Manitoba amateur, professional athletes alike
This year's Manitoba High School Athletic Association Provincial Track and Field Championships have been cancelled due to ongoing air quality concerns caused by wildfires in the province, making conditions unsafe. More than 1,500 athletes from grades 9 through 12 were set to compete in the three-day competition planned for June 5–7 at University Stadium on the University of Manitoba campus. The MHSAA had originally postponed all scheduled events on Thursday to Friday, hoping air quality would improve, but updated at 6:15 a.m. today that the event would be cancelled entirely. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS This is the first time the Manitoba Provincial Track and Field Championships have been cancelled over unsafe air quality levels from wildfire smoke. The MHSAA air quality protocol states, 'Poor air quality can impact the health and performance of outdoor sport participants, including athletes, coaches and sports officials. The MHSAA recognizes the potential short and long-term health effects of engaging in physical activity outdoors when the air quality is poor, and is fully committed to reducing the risk posed to outdoor sport participants to help contribute to safer outdoor activities and events.' Chad Falk, the executive director of the MHSAA, said that, unfortunately, rescheduling is not an option. 'The nature of the event and how many athletes, the unique venue, access to officials, access to venues, kids travelling from all over the province, it was just impossible to look at finding a way to reschedule it,' said Falk. 'Especially with time constraints heading into the end of June with exams, all those types of things.' The only other times the MHSAA track and field provincials were outright cancelled were during COVID years in 2020 and 2021. While there have been previous schedule changes and event condensing due to weather, such as severe rain or thunderstorms, there has never been a cancellation caused by smoke. 'I think this is definitely going to become a reality for us for outdoor sports moving forward,' said Falk. The MHSAA uses real-time data from PurpleAir sensors, which are spread across North America, to monitor air quality, including two located at Princess Auto Stadium. Data from Environment Canada and recommendations from Health Canada are also consulted. If the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reaches eight or higher at any point during an event, the MHSAA pauses competition. 'It's heartbreaking,' said Falk. 'Especially for the Grade 12s, this was their finale to high school sport… It's always a great wind up, in a sense, of a school year, celebration of high school sport, and it's sad not to see it move forward.' Other Winnipeg outdoor sports have been affected by wildfire smoke, including last week's Winnipeg Blue Bombers pre-season game against the Roughriders in Regina, which was delayed by an hour until air quality improved due to wildfires burning in Saskatchewan. And on Wednesday, Bombers practice was forced indoors to the WSF South building due to the poor air quality caused by the Manitoba wildfires. Next door at Princess Auto Stadium, Valour FC's 11 a.m. kickoff against Vancouver FC was pushed back 30 minutes as the AQHI was hovering around 12. On Sunday, Valour had a match that was pushed back two-and-a-half hours for the same reason. It's a situation the Valour and the Bombers may very well face this season if the issue persists. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press On Wednesday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers practice was forced indoors to the WSF South building due to the poor air quality caused by the Manitoba wildfires. For the Bombers, under CFL regulations if the AQHI reaches eight or above using Environment Canada metrics during warmups or games, the onsite League Representative will enact the league's air quality procedure, which includes automatically stopping the game and sending teams to their dressing rooms. 'We've come up with some pretty good protocols and we observe it well,' said Bombers long snapper Mike Benson on Wednesday, a CFLPA representative. 'I don't think we get distracted by it at all. We just know we have to get our work done no matter where we are. It's a relatively new protocol, it's only been around for a couple of years.' 'We're always tinkering with it to find the best solution, the fastest results, so we're not debating on the phone up to a minute before the game. But unfortunately, just like any kind of weatherman, you can't predict what's going to go on. All we can do is adapt, persevere and be OK with it as a team.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The Winnipeg Goldeyes have had no interruptions, playing yesterday at Blue Cross Park despite an air quality warning issued by Environment Canada and an AQHI index of 10 at game time, which began at 6:30 p.m. The Fish ended up losing the three-game series and the series finale against the Kane County Cougars 1-2. There is currently no air quality regulations in place for the Goldeyes, however, they do offer ticket exchanges for people who can't attend games due to health conditions. The Fish are scheduled to open their next homestand tonight against the Kansas City Monarchs with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. — with files from Taylor Allen
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Track and Field Championships cancelled over wildfire smoke
This year's Manitoba High School Athletic Association Provincial Track and Field Championships have been cancelled due to ongoing air quality concerns caused by wildfires in the province, making conditions unsafe. Over 1,500 athletes from grades 9 through 12 were set to compete in the three-day competition planned for June 5–7 at University Stadium on the University of Manitoba campus. The MHSAA had originally postponed all scheduled events on Thursday to Friday, hoping air quality would improve, but updated at 6:15 a.m. today that the event would be cancelled entirely. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS This is the first time the Manitoba Provincial Track and Field Championships have been cancelled over unsafe air quality levels from wildfire smoke. The MHSAA air quality protocol states, 'Poor air quality can impact the health and performance of outdoor sport participants, including athletes, coaches and sports officials. The MHSAA recognizes the potential short and long-term health effects of engaging in physical activity outdoors when the air quality is poor, and is fully committed to reducing the risk posed to outdoor sport participants to help contribute to safer outdoor activities and events.' Chad Falk, the executive director of the MHSAA, said that, unfortunately, rescheduling is not an option. 'The nature of the event and how many athletes, the unique venue, access to officials, access to venues, kids travelling from all over the province, it was just impossible to look at finding a way to reschedule it,' said Falk. 'Especially with time constraints heading into the end of June with exams, all those types of things.' The only other times the MHSAA track and field provincials were outright cancelled were during COVID years in 2020 and 2021. While there have been previous schedule changes and event condensing due to weather, such as severe rain or thunderstorms, there has never been a cancellation caused by smoke. 'I think this is definitely going to become a reality for us for outdoor sports moving forward,' said Falk. The MHSAA uses real-time data from PurpleAir sensors, which are spread across North America, to monitor air quality, including two located at Princess Auto Stadium. Data from Environment Canada and recommendations from Health Canada are also consulted. If the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reaches eight or higher at any point during an event, the MHSAA pauses competition. 'It's heartbreaking,' said Falk. 'Especially for the Grade 12s, this was their finale to high school sport… It's always a great wind up, in a sense, of a school year, celebration of high school sport, and it's sad not to see it move forward.' Other Winnipeg outdoor sports have been affected by wildfire smoke, including last week's Winnipeg Blue Bombers pre-season game against the Roughriders in Regina, which was delayed by an hour until air quality improved due to wildfires burning in Saskatchewan. And on Wednesday, Bombers practise was forced indoors to the WSF South building due to the poor air quality caused by the Manitoba wildfires. Next door at Princess Auto Stadium, Valour FC's 11 a.m. kickoff against Vancouver FC was pushed back 30 minutes as the AQHI was hovering around 12. On Sunday, Valour had a match that was pushed back two-and-a-half hours for the same reason. It's a situation the Valour and the Bombers may very well face this season if the issue persists. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press On Wednesday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers practise was forced indoors to the WSF South building due to the poor air quality caused by the Manitoba wildfires. For the Bombers, under CFL regulations if the AQHI reaches eight or above using Environment Canada metrics during warmups or games, the onsite League Representative will enact the league's air quality procedure, which includes automatically stopping the game and sending teams to their dressing rooms. 'We've come up with some pretty good protocols and we observe it well,' said Bombers long snapper Mike Benson on Wednesday, a CFLPA representative. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'I don't think we get distracted by it at all. We just know we have to get our work done no matter where we are. It's a relatively new protocol, it's only been around for a couple of years. We're always tinkering with it to find the best solution, the fastest results, so we're not debating on the phone up to a minute before the game. But unfortunately, just like any kind of weatherman, you can't predict what's going to go on. All we can do is adapt, persevere and be OK with it as a team.' The Winnipeg Goldeyes have had no interruptions, playing yesterday at Blue Cross Park despite an air quality warning issued by Environment Canada and an AQHI index of 10 at game time, which began at 6:30 p.m. The Fish ended up losing the three-game series and the series finale against the Kane County Cougars 1-2. The Goldeyes are scheduled to open their next homestand tonight against the Kansas City Monarchs with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. — with files from Taylor Allen
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
17-year-old golfer to compete against pros at a course her grandpa wasn't allowed to play
17-year-old golfer to compete against pros at a course her grandpa wasn't allowed to play BATTLE CREEK, Mich. - Sixty years ago, Barney Gibson was a caddy at the Battle Creek Country Club. Being Black, he wasn't allowed to play. This weekend, his granddaughter will be on the first tee, competing in a professional golf tournament on that same course. Battle Creek's Amiyah Gibson was given a sponsor exemption and will be part of the field for the 12th annual FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, with the three-day event starting Friday, June 6, at the Battle Creek Country Club. "It's a full-circle moment for us. Really special. My dad was a caddie 60-some years ago, so for my daughter to be playing and me getting to caddie for her, it's really special," said Aaron Gibson, father of Amiyah. "For her to be able to participate in this tournament is just amazing." Gibson talked about her connection to her grandfather in her application letter to play in the event. "Although my grandpa was extremely good at golf, while he was growing up, he was not allowed to play on the golf courses based on the color of his skin. This was so powerful that it motivated me to learn the skill of golf so that I could show others who look like me that they can play golf, too, regardless of skin color," Gibson said. The 17-year-old Gibson graduated last week from Lakeview High School, where she was a standout varsity golfer for four years and an All-City Tournament champ in the fall. She will go from playing against high school players a few months ago to competing against some of the best women golfers in the world. The FireKeepers event is part of the Epson Tour, the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour. "This is really exciting. It was always my dream to play professional golf," Amiyah Gibson said. "This will be a great experience, to see these professional golfers play. And, to get to play with and against them." Gibson qualified for the MHSAA state finals all four years while at Lakeview, and will be playing at Wayne State University next year. She will open play in the first round on Friday with the hope of holding her own against a talented field. As she was getting ready for a practice round on Tuesday, she talked about the upcoming weekend. "I think I'll be a little nervous at the start. That first tee shot will be tough. But after that, it's just golf," Gibson said. "Just really want to go out and have fun, soak in every last experience I can have out there. And, maybe put up a couple numbers, that would be kinda cool also." The 2025 FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship will have a 144-player field competing for a $225,000 purse. Included in the field will be Michigan State golfers Valery Plata and Yurika Tanida as well as Michigan golfer Hailey Borja and former Michigan golfer Monet Chun. The 2023 winner of the FireKeepers event will be back in Siyun Liu. Overall, six different countries will be represented at the tournament. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted, with all net proceeds from the event benefiting The Haven locally. "We always enjoy bringing this tournament to Battle Creek. Always brings a lot of international talent to the area and some great golfers," said FireKeepers Casino Hotel CEO Frank Tecumseh. "It's a family-fun event. Getting to see some great athletes play the sport like it's supposed to be played." Just like all the Epson players who are looking to eventually play in the LPGA, Gibson is hoping this weekend can lead to bigger things. "If you would have told me 10 years ago, when I first started playing, that 10 years later I would be playing in a professional tournament, I would say you were crazy. Shows how far I've come," Gibson said. "I'm always looking to further my career in golf. I want to become a professional golfer. So events like this, and playing in college next year, will help make that happen."
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
VIDEO: Dowling Catholic's Owen Wolfe wins 800-meter Class 4A state title
Watch Stringer softball celebrate its MHSAA 1A championship over Myrtle Watch Stringer softball celebrate its MHSAA 1A championship after a 7-4 win over Myrtle on May 17. It's the Lady Red Devils' first title. 0:22 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Purvis Falls in State Championship Game 3, Farlow Retires as Head Coach
Purvis baseball's 7th inning comeback falls short, 3-2, in game 3 of the MHSAA 4A State Championship. Head Coach Tony Farlow now heads into retirement, giving credit to West Lauderdale's pitchers for slowing the Tornadoes' offense and saying he's grateful for his career. Purvis grad and current Columbia baseball head coach Kyle Lindsey is set to start as the next Purvis baseball head coach. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
