Johns makes big splash

Racer earns gold medal at World Cup swim meet

Brian Johns made quite a splash at his first meet as a member of the Canadian National Swim Team last weekend in Edmonton.

The Richmond Racer not only proved capable of keeping up with the world's top swimmers, but earned two medals at the second stop of the World Cup tour.

With swimmers from 22 countries including world-record holders Franciska Van Almsick of Germany and 16-year-old Australian phenom Ian Thorpe, Johns was in some select company. But he was ready to race, said Racers' head coach Craig McCord. Was he ever.

Johns began the meet squaring off against older brother Kevin, representing the UBC Thunderbirds and Racers, in the 100-metre freestyle.

"It was really great to see these two guys face off and go at each other as hard as they did," McCord said. Brian wound up edging out Kevin in the race.

In his second event, Johns competed in a timed-format version of the 400-metre individual medley. Swimmers could only race once and the fastest eight swimers by entry times advanced to the final. While his time was not in the top eight he was able to swim against the clock and wait to see how the top eight fared. He swam a best time of 4.19.11 seconds and was ultimately rewarded with his first medal, a bronze.

"He did a really good job and has been very focused since September," McCord said. "We laid out the race plan with splits focusing primarily on the middle 2/100th and he swam on the mark. It was pretty special seeing the young man stand up against the best in the world and not falter."

But even more surprises were to follow.

In the 200-metre freestyle Saturday, Johns went toe-to-toe with Aussie star Thorpe finishing just 1 1/2 seconds behind to earn a bronze. And in the 200-metre individual medley, he edged out Aussie Rob Van der Zant and German Carlton Cremer in front of 1200 fans to again reach the podium, this time claiming gold.

"The great thing was that Brian went out and tested himself and did not fade," McCord said.

"Regardless that the swimmers were at different states of readiness, it was an outstanding effort and a big step forward for Brian."

POOL NOTES: Brian Johns was one of only 10 Canadians chosen to participate in next weekend's World Cup stop at Texas A & M. Craig McCord was selected to be one of the team coaches.

Richmond aims for gridiron three-peat

Colts, Knights tangle Saturday at dome

By most accounts, Richmond Colts were clearly underdogs heading into last Saturday's provincial "AAA" high school football semifinal.

Not only did Holy Cross dominate the Colts 21-0 in their regular-season showdown, but the Crusaders' star running back Gary Pontes was playing as well as at any time during the campaign.

So what happens? The two teams engage in one of the all-time classics.

"It was the most frantic fourth quarter I've been involved in," said long-time Richmond coach Jeff Lochbaum, whose team prevailed 22-17. The win lifted the two-time defending B.C. champions into their third straight title game this Saturday at the dome versus St. Thomas More Knights. Kick off is 7 p.m.

Lochbaum said people suggested after the game it was the most dramatic finish they had ever seen - at any level of football.

Pontes not only scored two TDs for the Crusaders but ensured they were in position to win, leading 17-16 with 1:24 to go in regulation. But the Colts, despite being exhausted, had other ideas. Atnas Maeko ran the Crusaders' final kick off back 35 yards and then hauled in a 10-yard reception for a first down. After Janne Backstrom ran the ball down the Holy Cross 46-yard-line the Colts called their final time out with 43 seconds remaining.

Maeko, who fell just a yard shy of the 100-yard mark on the game, then leapt into the air to catch QB James Bolegoh's pass at the Crusader 13, faked outside and then ran the ball into the end zone.

Holy Cross tried a Hail Mary once they got the ball back, but the pass was picked off by Janne Backstrom and the Colts ran out the clock.

defence from his linebacker spot, had the other Richmond majors. Steve Chatzispiros kicked a 32-yard field goal and two converts.

The Colts may have an edge psychologically heading into this weekend's game against the Knights. They've knocked St. Thomas More out of the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, including the 1997 semifinal.

But the 1998 edition of the Knights is a team loaded with talent. Not only is QB Troy Thierrian the best at his position, but is a threat to run the ball at any time. Then there's Danny Tai in the backfield and DJ Sadler at wide out. They also boast the province's top defender in Brad Neuman.

Lochbaum predicts another exciting game and promises some more surprises from the playbook. Stay tuned.

Langley overwhelms locals

They were close for a while, but Richmond just couldn't keep up with Langley in the final frame Saturday and dropped a 33-10 decision in Fraser Valley Rugby Union first division play.

Richmond opened the scoring when Kevin Nielson kicked a penalty after the Langley forwards came off side. They continued to play well until fouling in a loose ruck. Langley opted for a kick at goal which was unsuccessful, but a Richmond player knocked the ball forward resulting in a five-metre scrum. Langley then pushed the Richmond forwards back and their eighth man forced his way over for a try and a 7-3 lead.

Richmond had the ball deep in the Langley end just prior to the half but a mishandled pass instead sent Langley the length of the field for a 12-3 lead.

Langley padded their lead with another try early in the second half, and while Richmond fought back with a penalty a try by Gary Evans, pulled away with two more tries.

Unsung Umeno inspires bantam hockey mates

Every team has an unsung hero, a player who seldom gets the credit he or she deserves. Kenji Umeno fits the bill perfectly for the Richmond bantam "AAA" hockey team.

During what has been so far a trying season, Umeno has consistently been the local's best player, says coach Tony Lindsay. And he's one of those guys who during practice is first on the ice and last to leave.

"I've never seen any player who epitomizes that old saying more than Kenji," Lindsay says.

Umeno's work ethic is matched only by his outstanding talent. Clearly, his skills are good enough to be afforded a chance to play junior "A" hockey next season - if the scouts aren't preoccupied with size.

"He's certainly tough enough and quick enough," Lindsay says.

For now though, Umeno seems happy where's he at. He impressed many with his speed at the recent Medicine Hat invitational, placing second in a skating competition, and also helped Richmond compile a 2-2-1 record at the tournament despite the team being decimated by injury.

The team's leading scorer, he was often double-shifted at forward and even dropped back to play some defensive because of Richmond's thin lineup. Incredibly, he was overlooked for first-team all-star recognition.

Richmond lost one of its other top offensive players, Rob MacGregor, in the opening game to a broken jaw but still managed to overcome an early 4-1 deficit to edge Estevan (Saskatchewan) 6-5. David Claassen scored the winning goal.

After dropping their next game 8-4 to a powerful Edmonton team, Richmond bounced back for a 0-0 tie against Kamloops - the first scoreless tie in the 26-year history of the tournament. Max Izen hit the crossbar with 45 seconds to go for the locals, while Dustin Murao got the shutout.

In consolation-round play, Richmond downed North Vancouver 5-1 before losing its final game to Naicam (Saskatchewan) 6-5.

ICE CHIPS: Richmond's Andrew de Sousa, the second overall pick in the Western Hockey League bantam draft by Tri-City Americans, has dominated play this season and was recognized as a first-team all-star at the Medicine Hat tournament....The locals are 2-1 in league play and incredibly 10-8-4 overall despite only a handful games with a full lineup.