The Trinity Western Spartans battled through 120 minutes of scoreless play and four rounds of penalty shots before lifting the Gladys Bean memorial trophy as the 2012 CIS national women's soccer champions.

The Spartans defeated the two-time defending champions, the Queen's Gaels, 4-2 in kicks Nov. 11 in Victoria, earning their third title in the past five seasons.

"I think our nerves caused us to play a little bit out of how we normally play, but credit to my kids for hanging in there," said Spartans' head coach Graham Roxburgh, who made CIS history as the only coach to win four CIS titles in women's soccer (previously in 2004, '08 and '09).

Spartans Stephanie Chin, Alessandra Oliverio, Natalie Boyd and Colleen Webber were perfect from the spot to seal the win, while Queen's shooters Stephanie Chin and Mikyla Kay were the lone goal scorers for the silver medalists.

Queen's midfielder Alexis McKlinty put her shot over the bar and Spartans 'keeper Kristen Funk saved Jessie De Boer's shot to allow Webber the opportunity to score the winner.

LUDWIG AN OLYMPIAN

Langley's Dorothy Ludwig realized her Olympic dream in 2012.

Ludwig competed for Canada in women's 10-metre air pistol at the London Olympics.

At the July Games, Ludwig finished 34th.

By making her Olympic debut, Ludwig followed the path of her father, the late Bill Hare, who competed in the 1964, '68 and '72 Games.

"The opportunity to attend the Olympics was extremely rewarding, and I know I had my family, friends and community behind me," Ludwig wrote, in an email to the Advance.

She earned her Olympic spot after a strong showing in women's 10-metre air pistol at the Canadian Olympic Trials in Calgary March 18.

THE CHAMP LIVES HERE

Langley's Sarah Pucek battled to the Canadian female featherweight boxing title Dec. 7.

Pucek earned a 10-round, unanimous decision over Montreal's Lucia Larcinese in the championship bout held at Fraserview Centre in Vancouver.

"Pucek controlled the action with quicker, crisper work to win most of the rounds," her manager Dave Allison reported.

While Pucek, 25, dominated most of the bout, winning on all three judge's scorecards, it wasn't a cakewalk by any stretch.

"I didn't think I fought my best," Pucek said. "She made it awkward for me."

Pucek, whose professional record improved to 5-2-1, gave her 40-year-old adversary loads of credit. Even though her mark dropped to 5-10, Larcinese battled hard to the final bell and never surrendered.

"It's crazy where your mind goes over 10 rounds," Pucek said. "I wanted to quit but I had to keep going."

The bout behind her, Pucek is taking a brief hiatus from the squared circle.

"I don't even want to think about fighting right now. I'm just happy to be able to rest and eat what I want to eat," Pucek said, a few days after her title victory. "I also know I have a long way to go. I have the tools to be [one of the best]. I just have to keep working on my confidence. My confidence is the most important thing."

ESWORTHY HONOURED

Langley resident Dave Esworthy's dedication and sacrifice to the equine field was recognized Sept. 20, when he is formally inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame.

The 2012 inductees - nine individuals including Esworthy and one team - officially joined the Hall at the BC Sports Hall of Fame's 44th Annual Banquet of Champions at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

"It sort of grows on you," Esworthy said of the honour. "When it came about, it was a total surprise. I was very excited when I heard about it, probably February before I knew what it was all about. It was something I haven't even thought of. The [BC] Sports Hall of Fame was the furthest from my mind. I

didn't go out and win medals in show jumping or anything like that."

That's because most of Esworthy's good work was done behind the scenes.

He has served in virtually every role possible in his sport.

He has been a rider, judge, steward, horse show organizer, horse show chair, and industry advisor. Beginning as a young cowboy wrangling horses on a ranch to his current status as an Equine Canada and FEI steward, judge, and clinician, Esworthy has experienced the sport at all levels over a 50 plus-year career.

He served as president of Horse Council BC, Equine Canada, and assisted in the preparations for equestrian events at the 1976 and 1984 Olympic Games.

Esworthy served as a director with the Canadian Horse Council from 1972 to '77, and took on the role of president of the Canadian Equestrian Federation (now Equine Canada) from 1977 to '84 before chairing the organization from 1984 to '91.

Dolfo impresses in London

At 18, Langley's Braedon Dolfo became the youngest athlete named to Canada's 2012 Paralympic track and field team.

In London, the Langley Secondary grad and soon-to-be Trinity Western University student/athlete was slated to compete in three events: the visually impaired 4 x 100m relay, along with the T13 men's 100m and 200m sprints.

"It's pretty exhilarating, actually," Dolfo said, prior to leaving for London. "It's basically like a dream come true. You think about it as a kid and now it's become possible, so I'm pretty excited."

He was coming off a golden performance at the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Trials at Foothills Athletic Park in Calgary.

Dolfo, who has about five per cent vision, won gold in the T13 men's 100m and 200m dashes.

At the Paralympics, Dolfo ran to seventh in the 100m. He crossed the finish line in 11.27 seconds, just off his personal best and Canadian record 11.26, which he ran in heats on Aug. 31.

"To finish seventh in the world is a blessing," said Dolfo, who was born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

CONTINENTAL COMPETITIVENESS

In January, a curling competition of global proportions took place at the Langley Events Centre.

The World Financial Group Continental Cup ran Jan. 12-15 at the LEC.

To accommodate the eighth edition of this unique international curling event, the glass was removed from along the boards inside the LEC's arena bowl, and the ice surface, normally used for hockey in the fall, winter, and early spring, was transformed into a giant curling rink with three separate sheets.

As well, the LEC triple gymnasium was converted into an entertainment centre.

The Continental Cup features six teams from North America versus six teams representing the world in a variety of disciplines - team games, mixed doubles, singles, mixed skins, and skins - during the four days.

Roughly half of the Langley Curling Club (LCC) membership group made up the volunteer force.

Considering the number of volunteers numbered in the neighbourhood of 275, that was an impressive local group helping out throughout the event.

Nigel Easton has managed the LCC since 1999, and has seen his club host the 2007 B.C. men's curling championship.

The Continental Cup took curling to a whole new level, he said.

As a curling fan, Easton was awed by the level of talent on the ice.

"It's amazing they can make these shots," he said. "They make it look so easy to make those shots. It's exciting, it really is."

BASEBALL AMBASSADORS

A January journey into Uganda turned out to be an experience of a lifetime for the Canadian Little League champions from Langley.

Right To Play joined forces with the Canadian Little League champs, local organizer Ruth Hoffman, the Ugandan Little League team, and film producer Jay Shapiro to make the historic series a reality.

Langley's squad finally got a chance to play Team Uganda, the team it was to meet first at the 2011 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

The Ugandan players couldn't get visas to enter the United States and didn't make it to the Pennsylvania, despite being the first African team ever accepted to the World Series.

The Pearl series will benefit the Ugandan players after the Langley boys returned home. Funds raised will help support the Ugandan players.