Titans pull off unprecedented Triple Crown
High school achieves rare triple crown of provincial championships in 2017-18
Anyone who has played high school sports knows just how difficult it is to win a provincial championship.
Winning one provincial title is special, but what the Harry Ainlay Titans did this year was one-of-akind historic. Never done before.
For the first time in Alberta Schools Athletic Association history, a school won provincial titles in football, basketball and volleyball in the same season.
The Titans capped off the triple crown with a basketball provincial championship in March.
“We never talked about it publicly or privately, but you could just tell our athletes that had won provincial championships in football and volleyball wanted to win their third provincial title,” said Titans basketball head coach George Hoyt. “They wanted to have that triple crown for our school.”
Josh Hoyt, Lwal Uguak and Ajou Ajou won provincial championships in basketball and football, while Brandon Meiklejohn, Shae McIntyre, Evan Rolfson and Jameson Boston won provincial titles in volleyball and basketball.
They all played a big role in helping Harry Ainlay make history.
“When people talk to them about it, there is a big smile on their face. They’re proud to be the first group to do it,” said Hoyt. “But for them, winning is awesome, but the friendships they ’ve gained from it are what they’ll cherish most.
“To be part of two (provincial titles) is so special of them. They ’ll have that moment together for the rest of their lives, but what I’m proud of most is they don’t take this experience for granted. They know they ’re extremely fortunate and proud to be able to accomplish this.”
For many of the Titans who graduate this year, they’re getting an opportunity to play their respective sports at the next level.
Uguak has earned an NCAA Division 1 football scholarship to the University of Connecticut.
Titans running back Jonathan Rosery and offensive lineman Ty Duguid are playing football for the University of Alberta Golden Bears.
McIntyre has committed to the Golden Bears volleyball program, while Meiklejohn and Lars Ishimwe are playing for the Golden Bears basketball program.
“We had a real special group of athletes this year,” said Harry Ainlay athletic director Owen Young. “It’s mind-blowing what we’ve been able to accomplish this year, but it all comes down to the culture we’ve built, the expectations that have been put in place and our kids this year made this a year we’ll all remember.”
Ainlay’s football program under the guidance of coaches Tyler Greenslade and Brock Ralph won their first provincial title since 2011. Their championship capped off an undefeated season (14-0) and they beat the two-time defending provincial champion St. Francis Browns, who hadn’t lost a game in more than two years.
Their volleyball program led by head coach Chris Jones, and assistants Dave Jones and Glenn Gehlert guided the Titans to a 47-3 record (including tournaments) and they were undefeated in league and provincial play.
The basketball program lost just two games all year. Both losses came at the REB Invitational tournament at Jasper Place. They lost to J.W. North, a prep school based out of Riverside, Calif., and to Bishop O’Byrne out of Calgary.
They got redemption in beating Bishop O’Byrne in the provincial final.
“I’m extremely proud. We as coaches work extremely hard to help our students be successful as athletes. We support each other and work together and I know I can rely on them to do what’s best for the kids and their development,” said Hoyt. “For us all to do it in the same year and to be connected as coaches. It feels really special.”
There is a strong winning tradition at Harry Ainlay. It started with former coaches such as Pat Baker, Bryan Anderson and Rob Poole and has continued on with the Titans current coaching staffs.
It also goes beyond the court and the field. The support the Titans have from school administration and their staff embodies school spirit to its core.
“Every one of our coaches has a lead role as a teacher first and a volunteer second and these teachers go out and support us,” said Hoyt. “When we were all competing hard in our city championships our entire teaching staff was out there supporting the coaches and students. We’re all in this together and we want our students to be as successful as they can be.”