Nash Okkerse is bringing another OFSAA gold medal back to St. Thomas, Ont. The grade 10 student at Parkside Collegiate capped off an amazing running season with a gold medal in the junior boys cross country race at Kivi Park in Sudbury, Ont. He finished the five-kilometre race in just under 17 minutes, to win the provincial title for the second straight year. In 2025, Okkerse won the novice boys race by 12 seconds. This time, he dominated the competition with a win by seven seconds in 16 minutes and 59.46 seconds. This win capped off a massive year with three gold medals at Legion Nationals in Saskatchewan, two gold medals at the Ontario Summer Games, two first place finishes in Legion Provincials in Sudbury and the Jr. Boys TVRA Cross Country division to extend an 11-race win streak. Lady Panthers win OFSAA field hockey silver medal The South Huron District High School (SHDHS) Lady Panthers from Exeter, Ont. are OFSAA silver medallists in Girls Field Hockey. “We did make it to OFSAA in my Grade 9 year, and I just feel like that experience motivated me more to help push my team to get another OFSAA run,” said Hayden Hodge, a co-captain. “We worked hard for what we got and I’m really proud of my team.” The Panthers made it to the gold medal game in Milton, Ont. losing 2-1 to Westdale SS from Hamilton. “Coming from a small town, it’s been very exciting and a great accomplishment for Grade 12,” said Mady Rader. The Panthers finished 2-1 in the round robin portion of the tournament. The knocked off London Medway in the quarterfinals and then Bluevale CI from Waterloo to reach the championship game. “Right from the get-go I could tell how well we were doing, you could tell how strong they were and worked together,” said Kim Campbell, a volunteer coach, and former player at SHDHS. “We were a small roster of 14, so they were fatigued for sure at OFSAA, but our goal was to get there and we did it, so we’re pretty proud of these girls.” The only two losses the girls suffered all season were at OFSAA, finishing with a 24-2 overall record. “We came out strong for every game, of course we were nervous when they came in with their big buses and all their equipment and uniforms, absolutely, but we held to it and we didn’t let that bother us, so we came out strong,” said Campbelll, on facing opponents from much larger cities. “The coaching staff and the players are certainly proud to get the South Huron Panthers back on that map.” Clarke Road Trojans win AA Girls Basketball; advance to WOSSAA The Clarke Road Trojans are headed back to the WOSSAA tournament for the second straight year after winning the TVRA Senior Girls Basketball final 40-35 over John Paul II. After losing 44-43 in the regular season to the same Jaguars, the Trojans got revenge Tuesday in the AA title game. “I think it was pretty exciting on us like it was for most of us, it’s our last year,” said co-captain Sophie Herrera. “A lot of us are grade 12 and just knowing that like it was our last year, especially because we played them a lot and we’re usually underdog in the season. Being able to go to WOSSAA one last time and it’s our third time so it is just really nice for us.” This contest was a back-and-forth affair with the Trojans leading by one at the half 20-19 and neither team stretching an advantage beyond five the entire way. “We just have to keep our heads up like always because it’s a very difficult team,” said Jorja Youden-Richard, a Trojans co-captain. “The past three years, we’ve got two-point games, and we lost by one point in the regular season. I guess we just we were a team today.” The atmosphere was electric with about 40 rowdy fans cheering on each set of bleachers. “It was definitely a lot, and you just have to tune it out,” added Youden-Richard. “You’re with your family here and that’s really comforting. You just tune it all out when you see your teammates on the court. (Going back to WOSSAA) It’s so exciting for the third year now.” More Results The Lucas Vikings are the Senior Boys AA Volleyball champions after a nail-biting three-set win over Oakridge. The Vikings won the grueling match 26-24, 25-21, 25-23 to advance to WOSSAA. Saunders defeated Mother Teresa in the third-place game. The E.S. Monseigneur-Bruyere Pantheres won the Senior Girls A Basketball Championship with a 40-19 win over London Christian High School to advance to WOSSAA. The Senior Boys Football AA Final will have London South taking on St. Thomas Parkside Friday under the lights at 1Password Park in St. Thomas. The AAA semifinals Friday will pit Catholic Central against Lucas at 11 a.m. and Mother Teresa vs Oakridge at 2:15 p.m. at Citywide Field.
