61st Annual CANUSA Games Combine Competition and Friendship
By Alex LaGrone, Staff Writer
The CANUSA Games provide Flint area youth the opportunity to compete in international games with our neighbors to the North. Flint and Hamilton, Ontario recently celebrated the 61st Annual CANUSA Games.
This year’s games were hosted by Hamilton. Dating back to 1958, the Games are an annual contest primarily for athletes 18-years-old and under between the sister cities. The CANUSA Games are the longest running, amateur sports, competition in North America.
The opening ceremonies began with the passing of the torch between the track teams at Bernie Arbour Stadium with more than 1,000 people in attendance. This year, CANUSA brought together approximately 700 athletes to participate in friendly rivalries in 13 sports. With its overall victory this year, Flint now leads the all-time series 31-26 and there have been four ties.
The CANUSA schedule of events, included soccer, swimming, skeet, pickleball, track and field, volleyball, baseball, boys and girls basketball, bowling, darts, golf and ice hockey.
As part of the competition, Hamilton Mayor, Fred Eisenberger took on Flint’s Director of Community Recreation, Sean Croudy in a pickelball match. Pickelball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Mayor Eisenberger pulled out a close victory over Croudy, 13-11.
Here are some of the other highlights from the games:
Boys baseball 11 & under – Flint’s Camden Cronkright, Elijah Tate and Trenton Everett combined for a no-hitter. Brett Hoffman had two hits including a grand slam. He had seven RBI’s in the game. Flint won 19-1.
Ethan Rutter was the winning pitcher as he allowed no runs and no hits while striking out six batters through two innings. Flint recorded its second combined no-hitter with five pitchers taking to the mound. Michael Klein, Brett Hoffman, Kalvin Lockwood and Santino Evely participated in the no-hitter. Flint won 25-3.
15 and under – Flint won with strong pitching by Jake Morris and Vince Smith. Noah Keller capped off the efforts of his teammates with a bases loaded triple. Flint won 14-1. Flint girls basketball swept Hamilton in all age groups.
13 and under girls basketball – Flint 78, Hamilton 38, leading scorers were Chelsea Bishop 20, Taylor Thompson 17 and Dede Smith 12.
Flint 62, Hamilton 25 leading scorers were Marchari Adams 11 and Deandrae Smith 10
Boys ice hockey 10 & under – Ayden Cook scored the game winner with 1:08 to go, and added 1 assist. Goalkeeper Joshua Eager made two crucial saves to preserve the victory.
Other results: Bowling- Flint 145 Hamilton 71, Track and Field – Flint 577 Hamilton 426.
Hamilton took the edge in these events: Darts – Hamilton 59 Flint 33, Skeet – Hamilton 979 Flint 947, Golf – Hamilton 15 Flint 3, Volleyball – Hamilton 3 Flint 0, and Swimming – Hamilton 778, Flint 322.
Congratulations to all the CANUSA participants, you represented Flint well.
For other highlights and results, visit the CANUSA Facebook page.
