Champions crowned at 2016 Flag Nationals in Halifax

Halifax, NS – Champions were crowned in each of the 2016 Flag Football National Championships’ five divisions on Sunday May 22 at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

For full results and statistics click here.

Following two days of round-robin play, Sunday morning featured semi-final games as teams competed for a trip to the afternoon’s gold medal games.

In the U16 female division, undefeated Saskatchewan earned a bye to the gold medal game where they met host Nova Scotia following a 26-7 semi-final win over Ontario. Led by three touchdowns and two interceptions from Kate Thorstad, Saskatchewan maintained a perfect 5-0 tournament record, capturing gold in a 19-2 win over the host province.

In the U16 male division, British Columbia and Saskatchewan earned trips to the gold medal game after semi-final victories. Nova Scotia bounced back from a semi-final loss to capture bronze in their home province against Manitoba. In the gold medal game, BC spoiled Saskatchewan’s five game winning streak with a 42-33 victory. Team BC’s Tyson Philpot led his team to gold with a trio of touchdown receptions.

In the U18 female division, just like Saskatchewan’s U16 girls, Manitoba conserved their perfect 5-0 tournament record with a 33-18 win against Saskatchewan. The tandem of Alana Lesperance and Victoria Tachinski led the way for Manitoba. A. Lesperance tallied three touchdowns and two interceptions in the win while V. Tachinski contributed two touchdowns and two interceptions. Despite the gold medal game loss, Saskatoon’s Sarah Wright had a strong day in the final, accounting for two of Team Saskatchewan’s three touchdowns.

On the U18 male side of the draw, Ontario and Nova Scotia earned berths in the gold medal game with semi-final victories against Saskatchewan and Manitoba, respectively. Capped off by a Noah Laing interception return for a touchdown, Nova Scotia captured gold on home soil with a 33-19 win over Ontario while Manitoba took bronze with a 41-12 win over Saskatchewan.

Manitoba also captured top spot in the U20 male division following a 25-19 gold medal game victory over BC. With the win, Manitoba became the third team to finish the competition with an undefeated record. In the final, Manitoba displayed a balanced attack as Jeremy Kornelsen, Richard Wyss, Drake Lesperance and Garrison Trinder each scored a major in the victory.

Flag football continues next weekend as Halifax also hosts the Senior Flag Football Invitational, May 27-29, to determine who will represent Canada at the 2016 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in the Bahamas.

This post is also available in: French