REMARKABLE CORNWALL & SDG – SPORTS’ TRIUMPHS

It is hard to know where to start with this topic, as there are so many highlights and I am sure to miss many.As space is limited this article will look at some long forgotten historic wins along with a smattering of modern accomplishments.

To gain a more rounded appreciation of local sports history visit the Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame, located in the Cornwall Civic Complex.

BOXING

“The Lightning,” Tony Luis from Cornwall won the Quebec Box Lightweight Championship in 2009; WBC Continental America’s Super Lightweight title in 2011 and 2015; was named one of Canada’s top five boxers in 2008 and was awarded the Jacques Richard Memorial Trophy in 2009.Luis retired from professional boxing in 2022, having won 29 out of 35 fights.

FOOTBALL Maurice “Moe” Racine from Cornwall, started his football career at St. Lawrence High School, with his school team , three time winners of the EOSSA Football Championships.Racine played played placekicker and offensive lineman for the CFL’s Ottawa “Roughriders” from 1958 – 74.He was four time Eastern-All-Star, and EFC scoring leader in 1966 and; four time Grey Cup Champion.He was inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

GYMNASTICS

From Cornwall, Melanie Banville attended the 2003 Summer Olympics making her the City’s first female Olympian.Banville was a member of Team Canada in the 2004 Olympics, placing 10th in Tumbling, 24th in Floor Exercise and 24th in All Round Placing.In 2006 she was a member of the University of Alabama’s Second All American team.She was awarded the Jacques Richard Memorial Trophy in 2005.

HIGH JUMP

Duncan McNaughton, born in Cornwall and growing up in Vancouver won a GOLD Medal,in the 1932 Los Angles, Olympics by clearing 1.97 metres (6’5 ½ “). After his sport’s career McNaughton worked for the Geological Survey of Canada.During World War II he flew 57 missions with the Royal Canadian Air Force and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar.

HOCKEY

The “Cornwall Royals” (1956 – 92) won the Memorial Cup in 1972, 1980 and 1981, bringing everlasting pride to the community. Cy Denneny was born in the “lost” village of Farran’s Point.Known as the original “Cornwall Colt,” he played with the Ottawa “Senators,” NHA, 1916 – 28 where he scored 246 goals.He was a five time Stanley Cup winner, leader in points scored from 1922 – 32, and inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1959.

JUDO

Micheline Desgroseilliers:Canadian Judo Championships, one silver, three bronze medals, 1980 – 86; Ontario Open, silver; US bronze, 1984; Ontario Open, GOLD, 1985; Team Canada Pan-Am Judo Championships, 56 kg class, bronze, 1985.

LACROSSE

Canada’s first national sport. Locally the first recorded game of “hurls” (lacrosse) was played between St. Regis and Cornwall in 1840.The Cornwall “Immortals” won the World (Canadian) Lacrosse Championship in 1888, and continued to be victorious until 1891.Team members included a future mayor and part-time police constable. Edouard “Newsy” Lalonde, from Cornwall, is the only Canadian sportsman to be a member of both the Hockey and Lacrosse Halls of Fame.

MOTORCYCLE/DIRT BIKE

Bert Irwin of Cornwall became Canadian Junior Champion for the one and ten mile dirt track competition in 1950 followed by his win at the 1955-56 Quebec Trails Competition; Quebec Ice Racing Championship, 1956; Ontario Champion 1961, 1964 – 67; and as a member of the Canadian National Team, 1969 – 81.

MULT-SPORTS/COMMUNITY SPORTS LEADER

Joe “Skip” St. Denis started the Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame, and so much more.He founded the Cornwall Recreation Association in 1932 and was recipient of the Jacques Richard Memorial Trophy for his 50 years in building sports in Cornwall.The City recognised his work by renaming the Cornwall Athletic Grounds the Joe St. Denis Field in 1967.I understand he also enjoyed a round or two in the boxing ring, amongst other interests.

SOCCER

Christina Julien from Cornwall is an Alumni of Cornwall Minor Soccer, played for Ottawa “Fury,”2007 -08, 2010 – 11; Laval “Comets,” 2009; Canadian Women’s national team, 2001; played in the 2011 FIFA World Cup and won a GOLD medal at the 2011 Pan American Games; she has played as a striker for teams in Australia, Russia, and Sweden, while continuing to play in this position in Germany.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Steve Simser from Mountain, brought home two medals from the 1990 edition of National Special Olympics held in Vancouver. This brief list only skims the surface of the area’s sports which include basketball, baseball, bowling, broomball, curling, figure skating, golf, lawn bowling, snowshoeing, speed boat racing,tennis, yachting and more.