Still Magic
Jazmine White and Taylor Simons
Taylor Simons of Stoney Creek and Jazmine White of Oshawa rekindled their beach partnership this summer and just like before it has been pure magic!
This dynamic duo, currently coached by former Beach National Team Player Dana Cooke, has not dropped a single match this season in their own age group and finished a respectful fifth in Youth Open Tier 1 when they played-up.
The girls continued their winning ways as they competed in the 16U Ontario Provincial Beach Championships held at Ashbridges Bay in Toronto in early August. On Sunday the girls once again stood atop of the podium as the Provincial Champions and added more gold hardware to an ever growing collection.
Very early the following Monday morning the duo travelled 13hrs, to Des Moines, Iowa in the US to compete in the 2009 AAU Junior Olympics Beach Volleyball Championship. Temperatures in Iowa during the two days of competition were in the mid 90’s with the humidity making it feel more like 100. Undaunted by the temperatures and still flying high after their provincial win, Taylor and Jazmine took the court with determination and did not disappoint. The duo performed like a well oiled machine methodically chipping away their opponent’s game to become the 2009 AAU Junior Olympic Beach Volleyball Champions.
Special recognition and congratulations goes to Taylor Simons who was the recipient of the “Joel Ferrell Memorial Award”. This prestigious award is given to the athlete whom the AAU feels demonstrates outstanding leadership and performance as well as making a significant contribution to their sport. Her name, in addition to other athletes who have won this award, will will be engraved on a special plaque that is kept at the AAU Headquarters in Disney World Orlando for posterity.
The girls are now working hard in preparation for the 2009 Beach National Championships being held at Ashbridges Bay in Toronto, August 28-30. The girls are hoping to add the 2009 16U Tier 1 Beach National Volleyball title to their list of accomplishments for this year before heading to their indoor season and to a new adventure in their young careers as they embark on their journey with a new club, Element Volleyball.
Submitted: Sharon Simons
Read more about Taylor Simons from Larry Moko, Hamilton Spectator
