Tessa Lowry is advancing her hockey adventure, taking on a coaching role with the SAIT Trojans women’s team, which stands as the only all-female hockey staff in the ACAC. “It’s empowering to see that,” said the 24-year-old daughter of Dave Lowry.
Being invited to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral is only the latest chapter in the life of one of Calgary’s most fascinating people. Olympic medals, including gold in 1992, don’t begin to tell the story of Mark Tewksbury. And, at 54, he continues to break ground. “I love my life. It’s so interesting. I never know what’s going to come.”
Calgary’s Gabriella Durante maintains a hectic pace. Summers mean twice-daily workouts for sprint-canoe events. Winters mean tending the nets of the UCalgary Dinos hockey team, plus a full course load. And she refs. And she coaches. “It’s exhausting physically, mentally, emotionally … (but) it’s on me.”
Retired as an accomplished triathlete and still only 29 years old, Calgary’s Ellen Pennock is enjoying the next phase of her life — living and coaching in Victoria, working as the creative director of Feisty Media, and, yes, still running very fast. “I have things I’m excited about, which is great. This is definitely the best I’ve been in a long time.”
Calgary’s Jordan Jensen-Whyte reflects on a basketball season that saw him win an NBLC championship with the London Lightning and a Commonwealth Games bronze medal with Team Canada. “I’ve had a really interesting and unique career. I’m really excited about what’s going to be happening next. But, as I’ve learned over the years, things can change.”
Brodie Shields-Tyler rises to the occasion for the SAIT Trojans, capturing the ACAC men’s championship, the biggest victory of his golfing career. “It’s definitely awesome to have it on the resume.” Now the Calgarian is preparing for the national showcase.
Melanie Scholz, former star of William Aberhart High School and the UCalgary Dinos, made her Team Canada debut this summer at the Commonwealth Games field-hockey tournament in England. The experience left an impression. “Overwhelmingly, the craziest event I’ve been to. Even going to opening ceremonies, it just gives you chills. It was so cool.”
Calgary’s paratriathlon ace, Stefan Daniel, recently broadened his athletic horizons, entering his first half-ironman and placing an impressive 12th in the men’s professional division in Santa Cruz, Calif. “It was more to do something different … and it was a good time to do it.”
For outfielder Alejandro Cazorla Granados, the Okotoks Dawgs’ championship run capped a remarkable turnaround on the field and off of it. “From where I was six months earlier to that moment? It was the complete polar (opposite). It meant the world — and not just because we won at the end. A very special year.”
Sarah Orban, in her 20s, decided to embrace track cycling. Now racing on the international stage, the Calgarian has her eyes on the 2024 Olympics in Paris. “It’s been quite the journey. At this point, I feel like I’ve been a cyclist forever.”
One of golf’s biggest hitters, Irene Crowchild reflects on a journey filled with adversity and recovery and, ultimately, success. “Starting this whole long-drive stuff, I never thought I’d be here,” says the two-time Canadian women’s champion, who is entered in the upcoming world showcase in Japan.
Calgary kid — on the rise for his entire draft year with the USHL Sioux City Musketeers — jumps up the charts, surprises the pundits, gets picked 40th overall by Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings. “I was pretty shocked,” says Dylan James. “I didn’t expect to go that high, but I’ll take it, obviously.”
Justine Bouchard — thanks to a terrific career at UCalgary, in addition to international success — becomes the first female wrestler inducted into the Dinos Hall of Fame. “Honestly, I just feel so blessed that I’ve had the career I had,” says the Wetaskiwin native.
Local ultramarathoner discusses his record-breaking adventure, which included a likely case of COVID, a probable concussion, daily soul-baring updates on social media, hundreds of pavement-pounding hours, a never-ending interior dialogue.
Calgarian’s terrific career — which includes guiding his home-town squad from expansion franchise to championship winner — has landed him in the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. “I was surprised,” says Kaleb Toth. “I was kind of shocked, but definitely honoured.”
Rieger Lorenz heads into the NHL draft as the top-ranked Calgarian — and top-ranked Junior A player. Star of the AJHL Okotoks Oilers, the forward is bound this fall for the University of Denver.
Calgary’s Bree Howling is learning about the ups and downs of the professional boxing game. But, even after missing out on the grandest of opportunities, she’s as eager as ever to chase titles.
Local athlete Kyra Christmas — scoring star of the Canadian women’s water polo team, productive import for a club in Greece — opens up about her mental-health challenges over the years. “I definitely still struggle with it.”
Calgary swimmer Stephen Calkins has dedicated much of his life to racing. Always close to making a national team, he could never quite get there. So he decided to retire. Then something funny happened. “Kind of weird.”
Calgary teenager Ryann Perrett is barrelling into a busy stretch. Not that she’s complaining. With the Notre Dame Hounds, she’s currently participating in the Esso Cup. Immediately after that? She’s heading for Hockey Canada’s U18 selection camp. And, don’t forget, high school graduation is right around the corner.