Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

As Salmon River High School kicks off another School Year its fall sports teams begin to compete. They intend to strive for success as well as look to improve for each of their upcoming seasons. The first week of competition has been a good week for the Shamrocks as many teams are coming off home field and court wins.

On Thursday, September 8, the boys varsity Soccer team saw its home opener end in a 1-1 draw against Ogdensburg. The team is in a rebuilding year after losing nine seniors to graduation. "We are a new team; we are figuring out our roles" commented five year veteran head coach, Ben Barkley. "Things are falling into place and we are starting to realize where we play and what we have to do to improve. We need to improve our mid-field game. We are not a scoring team and we need to rely on our defense and take opportunities as they come to protect the fort. We are going to work on keeping balls out of the net."

The Shamrocks were the first on the scoreboard when Cameron Cartier scored an unassisted goal with two and a half minutes left in the first half. The Blue Devils evened up the score with twelve minutes left in regulation play after Jacob Love finished off a play set up by Connor Badlam.

"It's a young team and we'll figure ourselves out. Everything is brand new." commented Barkley. "Our younger kids are stepping up and finding their places."

The varsity girls soccer team found itself on the winning end last Friday, September 9, on home field against the Lady Blue Devils. Nidia Dearmayero scored, unassisted, the winning and only goal for the Shamrocks with 11:41 left in regulation game time.

Lauren Martin stopped four balls for Salmon River while Callee Zulauf had four saves for the Blue Devils.

"The girls are doing well, their possession game has improved and that has allowed us to build a solid attack with several opportunities." commented head coach of six years, Liz Durfee. "I hope they continue to improve upon those chances and make them into goals. Our success will depend on an entire team effort. The girls are starting to build their communication with each other and I think this has led to our shutouts against Potsdam and OFA, along with some solid performances from our defenders and goalie."

The girls varsity volleyball team has a new face on the sidelines. Chelsea Sunday has stepped in to fill the spot of head coach after long time coach, Nicole Deshaies, stepped down to pursue other opportunities.

Sunday has been playing volleyball for the past 18 years. She was a middle hitter for Salmon River from 7th grade through 12 grade helping to a Section X Championship in 2002 and landing on the First Team All-Northern and earning the League MVP award.

Since Sunday's graduation from SRCS in 2004, she has gone on to play for the SUNY Potsdam Bears, competed in the Youth Friendship Games in Holland (2005, 2006), the Native North American Indigenous Games (2006, 2008), the Indigenous National Invitational Tournament (2012), the Ottawa Competitive Volleyball League, and the Max Volley beach circuit.

Sunday began her coaching career in 2005 with the Soaring Eagles Volleyball Club where she worked with many age groups as young as six years old up to the Elders' team. Sunday has the most coaching experience at the adolescent girl level. She has coached at the Native North American Indigenous games (2006), the Lori Piestewa National Games(2007), Youth Inter-Band Games(2010), Camp Madawaska(2010,2011) and a variety of other opportunities over the years including working on staff with Volleyball Canada.

"I have many goals for our team this year and I am working to offer a fun, empowering and impactful season." explains Sunday. "In terms of the game itself, I am introducing our athletes to a variety of high-level skills, tactics, and techniques that will bring us to a highly competitive level as individuals and as a team."

On Friday, September 9, the varsity volleyball team posted a home win over Potsdam in four games with scores of 26-24, 18-25, 26-24, and 25-22. Tristan Cook-Hasty tallied 8 kills, 9 aces, while Taylin David finished with 9 aces and two kills. Fawn Jacobs served up nine aces, Avery Benedict worked for six aces and Tyana Benedict added two kills, 3 aces. Tionna David worked the net for 12 kills while Krista Walrath and Taylor Showen added 3 and 1 kills respectively. Rylie Gray got low for 24 digs.

Katrina Oakes dives in to start the 100-yard freestyle. Oakes posted individual wins in the 100 and the 200-yard races.

"Although we are early in our season, the team has succeeded in impressing me each time we step onto the court" commented Sunday. "I have the opportunity to see the team in action during preseason scrimmages which informed me of where we stand as a competitor. Our team is strong both offensively and defensively and they bring a powerful energy to the game. Team and individual improvements are a continual necessity and my focus will be on sharpening all aspects of their game."

The pool was also busy on Friday when the St. Lawrence Larries visited for the Shamrock home opener swim meet. The Larries took home the win with a 55-39 score.

The Shamrocks, with the veteran head coach, Danielle French, won four of the eleven events with Katrina Oakes winning two individual events while Ian French produced a solo first.

Oakes captured the 100 and 200 freestyle races with times of 11:81 seconds and 2:35.43 respectively. French posted a time of 7:30.23 for a first place finish in the 500 freestyle.

Salmon River also won the 200 freestyle relay in a time of 2:07.32 with the team effort of Oakes, French, Dixee Mitchell and Kennedy Shatraw.