BR grad helps deliver silver medal, to England
Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School, the first co-ed Catholic high school in Hamilton, will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year.
And there’s so much to celebrate. So many gifted graduates. So many gifted student-athletes.
Two-time Olympic wrestler (1988 and 1992) Chris Woodcroft; younger brother Greg Woodcroft a 1996 Olympian; Winnipeg Jets’ Ben Chiarot; Stoney Creek Generals goaltender David Brown, the recently crowned Allan Cup champions; and basketball play- er Rachael Vanderwal, a 2012 Olympian and 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medallist are but a few of the eminent BR athletic alumni.
Most recently, Vanderwal — thanks to her lineage — suited up for Team England at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
Eight countries participated in basketball. Canada, Australia, England and Mozambique were slotted in Pool A. In pool play Canada, ranked No. 2 behind Australia, easily dismissed England, 80-54. Vanderwal was limited to seven points in the contest.
Clearly, jet lag impacted the 12-year pro’s play having arrived but two days in advance of tip-off.
The reason for joining Team England so late? Vanderwal was under contract and committed to her pro team, Club Universitario de Ferrol, in Galicia, Spain.
In quarter-final play, Vanderwal popped 22 points against Pool B participant Jamaica to propel England to the semifinals. Their opponents? Canada.
Now acclimatized, the former Boston University Terriers’ America East All-Star brought her “A” game to the rematch with Canada.
As time ticked down in the final stanza, the English side was about to explode. The buzzer sounded. The scoreboard read: England 65, Canada 53. Euphoria for Team England.
Vanderwal’s eyes welled up. “I have never cried after a win. The tears would not stop. We knew we had secured a medal. It was incredible. We celebrated like we won the gold.”
Vanderwal was quick to applaud Team England’s coaching staff’s preparation for the rematch with Canada. “Huge credit to our coaching staff. Our game plan was (clearly) really good.”
Spaniard Jose Maria Buceta, coach of Team England, considers Vanderwal “really good,” too.
Buceta calls Vanderwal one of the best players he has ever coached.
Vanderwal was Team England’s leading scorer at the Games.
“Stepping on that podium with my teammates was the highlight of my career,” said the jubilant Vanderwal.
The 2002 BR grad concluded, “Winning a silver medal was unbelievable. It was for sure a dream come true.”
The BR Alumni Association invites alum, family, faculty and friends to the 60th celebration. Check bishopryanalumni.ca.
Cecelia Carter Smith is a member of the McMaster Sports Hall of Fame and Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame.