Di Persio and Thomson named Niagara Sports Magazine Athletes of the Week

The Niagara Sports Magazine Athletes of the Week are Mara Di Persio from the Garden City Aquatic Club and Tyler Thomson from the Niagara Falls Red Raiders.

Di Persio, a 10-year old Fonthill native, placed first in eight different events at the Steeltown Invitational held at McMaster University. She placed first in the 50 Fly (40.10), 100 Free (1:15.16), 200 Back (3:03.65), 200 IM (3:06.19), 50 Free (34.35), 100 Back (1:25.16), 200 Free (2:45.26) and 800 Free (12:16.86).

Thomson, a 13-year old Niagara Falls native, helped lead the Niagara Falls Red Raiders Major Bantam Boys to gold at the St. Catharines Rebels Tournament posting a perfect 4-0 record. In the championship game, Thomson led the Red Raiders with a game-high 17 points and was the team's leading scorer for the weekend. He was also the recipient of the Graham Dakin - Hustle Award, given annually at this tournament.

The NSM Athlete of the Week will be announced each Wednesday.

Red Raiders Bantam Boys win first tournament

The Niagara Falls Red Raiders Major Bantam Boys #1 basketball team won their first basketball tournament of the year. The team went 4-0, winning a thrilling overtime final game against host St. Catharines 55-51. Tyler Thomson led the team in the final with 17 points, followed by 10 points from Donovan Vanegas.

Niagara opened the tourney with 55-46 win over Hamilton’s Blessed Sacrament. Jo Jo Carbone was Niagara’s high scorer with 14 points followed by 12 from Joe Murdaca.

In their second game, Niagara came from behind to defeat Windsor Riverside 49-44. Thomson and Vanegas were Niagara’s high scorers with 17 and 10 points respectively.

In the semi-finals, Niagara cruised to a 75-43 victory over the Oakville Venom. Leading scorers were Murdaca with 13 points and Carbone with nine points. Five other players recorded eight points each.

NEW!! Niagara Sports Magazine Athletes of the Week

Coming December 20th the new Niagara Sports Magazine will selecting an NSM Athlete of the Week both male and female. Please send in your nominations each week for those athletes deserving of the recognition for their weekly performance.

Niagara Sports Magazine putting together second issue

Niagara Sports Magazine is currently putting together their second issue of the magazine.

Current features being worked on for the second issue are the Fast Family, David Urquhart, Jonathon Dilario and Jeremy Currie, Wally Barrow and the Elite Eight atom football players from Welland, plus more.