the free'press ’SPORTS MAY: 7; 2000. T &9 Wheeling and Dealing As lacrosse grows in popularity so does the competition for players They may start calling Ron Edgar the wizard of wheeling and dealing in the world of Prince George Senior Lacrosse. Edgar, coach of the Cap-Abilities Oldstylers, trades a player to the Ironhorse Bandits in exchange for a first round draft pick two years from now and a another player. He also loans a goalie to the Steamers Pub Devils in the hopes that they’ll warm to that goalie and then he’ll have leverage to squeeze them for more draft picks or a different player in trade. He gives a player to another team so they’ll give a player to another team, so they’ll give a player to him. Or maybe a draft pick two years down the road. Confusing? Not for Edgar. He’s bringing trading in the P.G. Lacrosse league to a whole new level by concentrating not only on building a team for the current season, but on building a team for seasons to come. “Part of the running of the team is looking into the future for draft picks and I’ve been doing that since the very beginning,” says Edgar. Through his Machiavel- The Art Knapp Celtics, dark uniforms, thrashed the Steamers Pub Devils 18-8 on Wednesday the Coliseum. John McKenzie/free press lian web of deals, trades and loans, Edgar has secured the top five picks for the draft two years down the road. “This year’s bantams won the provincial championship ... In two years those midgets will be draft picks,” explains Edgar. So in two years, Edgar will have his pick of the top drafts from a group, of players who have already proven themselves at the provincial championships as bantams. “I’ve got some guys who are long in the tooth ... What I’m trying to do is replace my veterans as they retire with kids who are coming along ... who have proven that they can win.” League manager Glen Scott feels the increased trading and focus on building better teams in the future will only strengthen the local lacrosse teams. It may even produce a team that will be competitive on a larger scale. “You can see that all the teams are getting better and better so that in the not-so-distant future they’ll want to challenge for the B.C. championships,” says Scott. Current Canadian Lacrosse League and B.C. Lacrosse League guidelines don’t allow for the formation of an all-star team to compete in these championships. And the team which wins the league is the only one that can go to compete. Players have to sit out a year if they simply leave one team for another instead of being traded so in the past a lot of talented players have had to sit out the main event. Scott says with the increased movement of players, all of the teams will be able to become stronger and well-rounded. “They’re trading to fill positions, they know if they’re weak on defense then that’s where they’re looking to get players for. The players are taking more pride in their teams and they want to be the best.” Watts in the running Cory Watts is winning races out of “force of habit" nowadays. It was out of habit that he took first place in his class and first place overall at last Sunday’s cross-country nm at Miworth and out of habit that he’s traveling to compete in today’s Vancouver International Marathon. Watts began running when he was seven. He ran competitively for twelve years, racing at the national level in the track and field 800-metre until a car accident and a broken leg when he was 19 suddenly derailed what was starting to be a promising athletic career. “I refused to believe that it was going to end. I tried for years to run track again. Then I finally realized it wasn’t going to happen. “ But thanks to physical rehabilitation and support from friends, Watts is back racing. “It’s been a hard change from being really competitive to recreation, but I didn’t have a lot of choice.” Old dreams die hard, and it took Watts up until three years ago to finally accept that the dream was gone. “I fought it up until then.” 3841 - istti Ave. __ 562-4856 Parkwsod Place i TWO-WAY RADIO.. 562-4880 www.bktwoway.bc.ca Will not CRACK on the EDGE! Over 80% of windshield replacements are caused by edge cracks. Edgeguard™ eliminates this. • Save money ~ costs less than windshield replacement • Protects the environment • A clear crack-resistant Film that is applied to the outside of the windshield. 3 yr. Guarantee! CRACKMASTER Windshield {Jtcpaix it {Replacement Specialist #1 - 3930 - 22nd Avenue 562-5256 Brake Special $89.95 i i I Front or Rear - Includes... 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