Chatham-Kent Sports Year In Review: August 2015

Doug Melvin made a career change, Luke Van Rycheghem, Jordan Durston, and Madison Broad made headines on a bigger stage, and Shaun Suisham saw his season end early. There were only a few Chatham-Kent sports headlines from August 2015:

• Broad Is Wallaceburg’s Golden Girl: Swimmer Madison Broad added to her medal collection, winning five medals at the Canadian Age Group Swimming Championships.
• Van Rycheghem Makes Commitment: After playing for Team Canada throughout the spring, Kent Bridge’s Luke Van Rycheghem made an NCAA Division I commitment, choosing Stetson University. Later in the month, Van Rycheghem would be officially named to Canada’s National Junior roster again.
• Suisham’s Season Ends Early: Before his season even began, Wallaceburg’s Shaun Suisham suffered a knee injury in his first NFL preseason tournament, ending his season. His ACL injury required surgery.
• Melvin Steps Down: Chatham’s Doug Melvin ended his more than decade long reign as the general manager of MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers, stepping down from the position.
• Durston Leads Arrows: Jordan Durston scored 4 goals in the deciding game for the Six Nations Arrows, helping them defeat the Peterborough Lakers for an Ontario title. He had 47 points in 13 playoff games. Later in the month, Durston would help the Arrows win a Minto Cup, as Canada’s Junior A lacrosse champions, scoring 16 points in 6 games.
• Laprise Suffers First Loss: Usually losing wouldn’t be a top story, but Chatham’s Chad Laprise hadn’t lost in his professional career, so his August defeat to Francisco Trinaldo was big news in the UFC.