Universiade 2015
International experience a boost to CBU sports
Capers contingent enjoying Korean experience.
The smiles say it all. And if a picture is worth a thousand words, then three of Cape Breton University’s all-time great soccer players are having a blast at the world university games (Universiade 2015) in Gwanju, South Korea.
Ian Greedy and Justin Maheu are part of Canada’s men’s soccer team at the games, while Karolyne Blain is representing the country as a member of the women’s team.
Two other Capers are also at the games — CBU women’s basketball head coach Fabian McKenzie is leading the women’s entry in the hoops competition, while Christian Affolter is playing on Switzerland’s men’s basketball squad.
CBU women’s soccer head coach Ness Timmons is staying in touch with Blain during her time in Asia.
“She is enjoying the whole scene — she said the opening ceremonies were fabulous,” said Timmons.
“Whenever you wear that Canadian flag, like in a situation like this, it makes you so proud.”
However, Timmons said it will remain to be seen if Blain gets on the pitch as she tweaked a knee while training with the team in Japan a week ago.
“She’s hoping to get some action as it is not the worst injury, but we’ll just have to wait and see,” he said.
In April, Blain was recognized as CBU’s female athlete of the year. The high scoring native of Sudbury, Ont., was also the 2011 AUS rookie of the year, the 2013 and 2014 AUS most valuable player and a CIS first-team allCanadian the past two seasons. Additionally, Blain has been recognized for her academic excellence.
The Canadian women are back on the field today when they face South Africa in their second group match. The squad opened with a 2-0 victory over France on Thursday.
In men’s action, Justin Maheu was in the starting lineup for Canada in its opening 5-2 loss to Italy, but was substituted in the 72nd minute.
The 2015 CIS men’s soccer athlete of the year was the lone forward in the starting Canadian lineup that featured a five-man midfield.
Greedy, the Capers all-time leading scorer and 2013 AUS most valuable player, was an unused substitute.
The Canadian men are back in action on Sunday when they play Chinese Taipei (Taiwan).
Meanwhile, Canada’s women’s basketball team opens preliminary round play on Sunday when the squad, led by CBU coach Fabian Mckenzie, hits the court against Hungary.
And, in men’s basketball, the Capers’ Christian Affolter is on the roster of the Swiss team that begins tournament play today against Serbia.
This year’s Games have attracted some 20,000 participants from 170 countries, including more than 14,000 athletes and 2,000 officials, to Gwangju, a city of 1.5 million people in the southwestern part of the Korean peninsula.
Along with competition in 21 sports, the Summer Universiade 2015 also includes countless cultural events across a city that is considered to be one of the least polluted in South Korea. Gwangju also claims to be a city with a history of righteousness. NOTES: Blain is expected to be back in the lineup for Cape Breton University’s women’s soccer team next season, according to Capers head coach Ness Timmons.
Blain, who just recently graduated from CBU, has yet to be accepted into a medical school, said Timmons.
The highly decorated studentathlete, who maintained a high grade point average during her time at CBU, still has ambitions of becoming a doctor.
But, according to Timmons, she will probably return to Cape Breton for her fifth and final year of eligibility.