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30 Sports Oakville Beaver Mention this ad and receive two free lessons!* * With one month sign up, applicable to new students only, expires March 15th. 905-582-5132 info@inklingmusic.com MINOR'S · MEN'S · WOMEN'S BALL HOCKEY REGISTRATION www.hmbhl.com 905-637-8118 SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2010 OHL Cup Showcase Younger Tavares also good with a hockey stick Laura Tavares' big brother isn't the only one in the family who's a natural with a hockey stick. The sister of star New York Islanders rookie John Tavares, Laura was first introduced to field hockey in Grade 8 when the feeder schools came to visit St. Thomas Aquinas for a day of sports. Now, four years later, she has accepted a full scholarship to Missouri State University for field hockey. Tavares had always dreamed of landing a scholarship for sports. She'd previously been interested in athletics but, due to her lack of experience before going to STA, she didn't think it'd ever be possible. But the efforts of putting together a portfolio to send to schools (Tavares visited Springfield, Missouri this year to see the campus and meet the coaches) paid off. Tavares also was approached by other schools like Rider University, Eastern University, Bryant University and the University of Toronto, but Missouri State was Tavares' first choice. When head coach Dawn Callahan called, Tavares jumped at the opportunity to make the trip to Springfield. She found it much different there from her life in Oakville but felt she was ready for the change. Off the field, Tavares plans to pursue a fashion business degree majoring in entrepreneurship. She would one day like to open her own clothing store. After she graduates, Tavares wants to travel and take fashion courses in different places around the world, before creating and designing her own clothing line. Like many success stories, Tavares credits the people around her for believing in her and helping her achieve her dreams. She has had tremendous support from the staff at Aquinas, who have been her teachers and mentors through the years. She is particularly grateful to Jean Major, her field hockey coach, who got her playing in the first place. She encouraged Tavares when she made the team in grade nine, and has been very supportive since. She is also thankful to Mandy Mamolo, her guidance counselor who helped her navigate through pre-requisites requirements and NCAA clearance. Her family and friends believed in her and her goals the entire time, they have all worked to support and inspire each other. Big brother John also was a major influence on Laura. He taught her how to be the athlete she is now. The two share a drive and commitment to their sports. They both aim high and work hard, and that pays off. -- Article submitted by Julie McCann, a Grade 12 student at St. Thomas Aquinas ROB BEINTEMA / METROLAND MEDIA GROUP COMEBACK ATTEMPT FALLS JUST SHORT: Oakville minor midget AAA Rangers goaltender Kevin Entmaa corrals a loose puck in front of his net while Mississauga Reps forward Zachary Pryzbek (in red) swoops in. The Rangers fell 4-3 to Mississauga Wednesday at the Hershey Centre to drop to 0-2 at the OHL Cup Showcase, a tournament that is heavily attended by Ontario Hockey League scouts, coaches and general managers. Oakville trailed Wednesday's game 4-0 before trimming the gap with two goals by Jimmy Cusan and a shorthanded marker by Matthew Gaetz. The 20-team tournament, featuring many of the top teams in the province, concludes Sunday with the championship game at 3:30 p.m. Three local girls win medals at STARSkate championships A pair of Oakville residents earned gold at last weekend's HomeSense 2010 Trillium STARSkate figure skating championships in Kingston. Pauline Jo won the preliminary women's flight at the provincial competition, while Moriah Chiang was crowned the junior bronze champion. Jo, 12, is a Grade 7 student at Munn's Public School. She began skating only one year ago. Chiang, an 11-year-old student at Trinity Christian School, hopes to eventually represent Canada at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Both Jo and Chiang are members of the Milton Skating Club. Emma Mogus, also a member of the Milton Skating Club, became Oakville's third medalist at the STARSkate championships when she earned silver in the junior bronze flight. Mogus finished with 22.51 points, 0.45 points behind Chiang. Mogus, 11, attends Pope John Paul II Catholic School. She was making her second straight trip to provincials. Jenna Rolland-Mills of the Oakville Skating Club nearly cracked the podium herself. Roland-Mills finished fifth in the junior bronze flight with 22.06 points. Oakville's other competitor at the provincials, Marie-Pier Bisson, finished 11th in the senior bronze flight. Bisson is a member of the Oakville Skating Club. Moriah Chiang, Pauline Jo and Emma Mogus