The VIU Mariners women's volleyball team (L) won their second straight national title, Olivia Lundman (C) broke two racewalk records and the inaugural Aiden Webber Memorial Race and Pro-Am (R) drew 200 racers and raised $15,000 for his legacy fund. (Northfield Photography/Lundman/Webber)

By Dan Marshall

Shining Bright

Top Stories of 2019: Records and dynasties for Nanaimo athletes

Dec 26, 2019 | 3:21 AM

NANAIMO — This year local athletes and teams have once again set a high bar with a number of excellent performances in 2019.

Racewalker Olivia Lundman led the way with continued dominance on the track.

The 16-year-old first set a record at the provincials in the 1500m in June. She earned gold and established another new record in the 3000m at the track and field youth nationals.

It was quite a summer for the Dover Bay student who also made her first international appearance at the North American, Central American, and Caribbean Championships in Mexico.

“Winning gold and breaking a record is a reflection on not only my own hard work and training but also the support of my community,” Lundman said.

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A dynasty built on the volleyball court at Vancouver Island University took home another championship in 2019.

Shane Hyde’s women’s squad won the CCAA national championship for the second straight time and the third in four years.

The current season is only half way complete but Hyde’s team is again ranked first in the country and VIU leads the PACWEST with a 12-0 record.

“Towards the end of our semester we started to look more like the team I think will be showing it’s face at provincials and nationals. I’m very pleased, we have some unbelievable talent. It’s just a case of us staying motivated and pushing ourselves.”

Other teams at VIU were prominent in 2019 as well.

The Mariners won provincial championships in men’s volleyball, women’s basketball, and women’s soccer.

The local BMX community rallied together in September for the first annual Aiden Webber Memorial Race and Pro-Am.

Webber passed away in an accident back in March and the event was put on to honour his memory.

There were 200 riders who took part in the memorial race, including Aidan’s younger brother Quinn who led a flag lap with many spectators lining the track.

Jake Pebbles from California won the 38-racer Pro-Am while 17-year-old Mitch Landry from Nanaimo was awarded the Legacy Trophy for his work ethic and dedication to the sport.

A fund was also set up to help promote youth cycling, assist athletes in reaching their goals and help young people overcome barriers to their dreams.

The Aidan Webber Legacy Fund raised almost $15,000 that day.

After three years of struggles in the BC Junior A Lacrosse League the Nanaimo Timbermen had a break out year.

The Tmen won a combined seven games from 2016-18 but saw their record balloon to 14-7 in 2019, finishing in a three way tie for second place in the league.

They took the eventual BC champions from Coquitlam to six games in the BCJALL semi final and earned numerous accolades, including Coach of the Year for Dave Bremner.

Nanaimo’s top three lacrosse teams all made the playoffs with the Senior A Timbermen making the WLA semi finals and the Senior B squad losing out to Ladner in the WCSLA finals.

Elsewhere, the Mid Island Pirates took home first place in the Premier Baseball League’s regular season and the BCHL’s Nanaimo Clippers are sitting in a tie for first place in the Island Division at their Christmas break.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77