Breakfast of Champions
by Corey LeBlanc coreyleblanc@thecasket.ca
Antigonish Education Centre fourth grader Cassie Taylor took her turn on the St. F.X. Olympic luge course last Friday at the Oland Centre. Cassie was one of more than 100 Grade 3 to 6 students from Antigonish schools that participated in the second St. F.X. X-Women hockey team Breakfast of Champions. (Corey LeBlanc photo)
The St. F.X. X-Women showed their skills off the ice last Friday when they hosted the second Breakfast of Champions at the Keating Centre. The varsity student-athletes welcomed more than 100 girls from Grades 3 to 6 for a fun-filled morning, which included a healthy breakfast and other activities. “It’s so much fun,” Sarah MacDougall said as she admired an autograph from X-Women forward and Antigonish native Catie Gavin. The Breakfast of Champions, which started last year, serves as an unofficial launch of the celebrations associated with the CIS Women’s Ice Hockey championships, which will take place at St. F.X. for the second consecutive season. To start the celebration, the girls dined with the X-Women on a delicious and nutritious breakfast. It was not only a tasty, but also educational treat. “Do you all eat breakfast every day?” fifth-year X-Woman Katie Harvieux asked the students sitting at her table. The veteran goaltender followed the query with some advice on the importance of starting your day with a healthy meal. Harvieux and her team-mates joined the students for breakfast, along with leading them in a variety of activities, including a tour of the X-Women’s locker room. Eyes were wide open as girls received a VIP tour of the X-Women’s home away from home. “They look like something a clown would wear,” Harvieux said as she showed a group the difference between her skates and those of her team-mates. Along with receiving colourful “X” temporary tattoos, the X-Women explained their pre-game ritual, including arriving at the rink two hours before game time. “We get in a circle and show our dance moves,” freshman Jessica McCullough said about one of the team’s locker room rituals. “We can really dance,” she laughed. Each group of girls had an opportunity to try the X-Women dance circle during their locker room tour. In keeping with a theme of healthy living, the students participated in a nutrition session with Shaunna Grant Smith, along with “Olympic-style” games in the Oland Centre auxiliary gymnasium with X-Women hockey alumnae Christina Davis and Kelly Boudreau. The St. F.X. luge competition seemed to be a favourite for participants. The girls also exercised their minds with a session of activities with Antigonish student program assistant Paul Purcell. “It is a tremendous event. Everyone really gets into it,” Krista McKenna varsity athletics and sports information co-ordinator said. X-Women hockey head coach David Synishin said his players enjoy the gathering immensely. He added his pride in how well the student-athletes engage their younger visitors. “They love it and I think the girls that come have a great time and leave with a lot of memories,” he added. Everyone wrapped up the morning of fun and learning with an autograph session with the team. The girls will have an opportunity to cheer on their X-Women heroines this weekend when the team hosts the CIS Women’s Ice Hockey Championship, from March 11-14 at the Keating Centre. >> Return to articles main
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