(Sherwood Park) - The Sherwood Park “Sharks” Junior Court Handball Club swarmed the Canadian National Handball Championships in Calgary May 14 to 18 taking home six gold medals to become the top Canadian junior team in the country.

Shark Team at the 2008 Canadian Nationals

The club now boasts three Canadian National Champions. Fourteen-year-old David Doucette became the Canadian National Champion in the 15 and under division by defeating his doubles partner, Tanner Rakochey of Calgary in a match that went to a tiebreaker to decide the winner. This is David’s second National title as he won the Doubles title last year in Montreal.

“David is a fierce competitor and has worked very hard this year,” explained coach Mark Broverman. “He has a lot of talent and he’s a great kid, so I’m not surprised he’s a National Champion.”

The Shark’s doubles team of Josh Lavin and Dawson Forester defeated Peter Walsh and Colin Pumphrey of St. John’s Newfoundland in the finals of the Under 13 division to become Canadian National Champions. Josh also made it to the finals in the Singles event, but had to settle for second in the country in the division.

Coach Broverman is very impressed with Josh’s play. “Josh is a kid who loves this game and it really shows when he plays,” he said. “I’m expecting him to take a National Singles title in the future.”

Josh’s brother, Ben Lavin, also had a great tournament in both the singles and doubles under 17 divisions. Ben captured the National Consolation Singles Champion title beating Chase Imlah of Winnipeg in two straight games. Ben and his partner, Jacob Harvey of Calgary, lost a heartbreaker in the finals to finish second in the country in the Doubles event.

Jeremy Tripp was the only double medal winner on the Sharks team. He took home the gold in the National Consolation Singles, and he and his partner, Parker Dorothy captured the National Consolation Doubles Championship title for the 13 and under division.

Sharks coach, Mark Broverman was ecstatic with the results. “All six Sharks who entered the competitive events took home gold in either the championship or consolation side,” Mark said. “We have three National Champions and three Consolation National Champions in our club. That’s an amazing accomplishment for our club considering this is only our second National competition.”

The Shark’s results went a long way to helping Alberta win the Provincial Junior Title awarded to the province that receives the most medals in the National competition.