Waterloo Warriors celebrate milestone achievements

A lot is happening on the Waterloo Warriors scene and at the front of this excitement are Garrett Rank and Chris Lawson.

NHL referee and former student-athlete of the Warriors golf and hockey teams Garrett Rank has recently shown he's got more than just ice in his veins by qualifying for the 2018 U.S. Open. Rank shot two-under at the 36-hole sectional qualifier on Monday, June 4 at Ansley Golf Club's Settindown Creek Course near Roswell, Georgia to tie for first and earn one of three spots available at the event.

The Georgia tournament was one of 12 regional qualifiers on Monday. Another current Warrior was also competing in a sectional qualifier on Monday as Tyson Turchanski (Calgary, ON) made his way around the course at the Brookside Golf and Country Club in Ohio.

Former student-athlete of the Warriors golf and hockey teams, Garrett Rank.

Rank represented Canada alongside Austin Connelly at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto and teed off at the 2016 Canadian Open, where he made the cut and finished tied for 77th. What is most impressive about Rank's golf resume is he has done it all while juggling his NHL officiating career.  Rank made his officiating debut on January 15, 2015 and has been a regular on the ice at NHL rinks across North America ever since.

“Garrett has an inspiring story, and continues to be a proud ambassador for the Warriors," said Director of Athletics & Recreation Roly Webster. "We congratulate Garrett on this latest accomplishment and we will be cheering him on as he competes on golf's biggest stage."

Garrett will play the U.S. Open, taking place from June 14 to 17 at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Shinnecock Hills, New York. This will be the fifth U.S. Open held at the New York golf club.

Former Warriors volleyball coach Chris Lawson (centre).

Chris Lawson, a former Warriors head coach of the men's volleyball program, has also recently received an incredible honour on a much different court. On June 2, Lawson was inducted into the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) Hall of Fame in the Builders Category.

"We are delighted for Chris as he received this prestigious and well-deserved recognition," said Webster. "Chris transformed our men's volleyball program into a perennial OUA and U SPORTS powerhouse and has been a valuable mentor for both Warriors volleyball programs the past two seasons. We are forever grateful for his leadership and the ever-lasting impression he has left on our staff and student-athletes."

Lawson was hired as the men's volleyball coach in 2007, leading one of the most elite programs in the country for nine seasons. At the helm, Lawson led the Warriors to nine straight OUA post-seasons, including five straight OUA Final Four's and two U SPORTS Championships. During his time with Warriors, Lawson accumulated a regular season record of 109 wins and 71 losses.

With over 30+ years of coaching, specializing in biomechanics and LTAD (Long-Term Athlete Development), Lawson is currently working with the London Volleyball Club as their Pathway Coordinator and has forever cemented his legacy with his induction into the OVA Hall of Fame.