Falcon alumni and national senior men's field hockey team veterans Rob Short and Mark Pearson will be trying to help Canada qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.
The pair of Tsawwassen have been named to the Canadian roster for the upcoming Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, Oct. 14-30.
The Canadian men enter the tournament as the top ranked Pan American team and are looking to defend their first place finish at the 2007 Games in Rio de Janeiro. The winning team also earns an automatic berth to London.
"This opportunity represents the culmination of a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment from our athletes and staff alike," said national team head Coach Robin D'Abreo. "Over the course of the last eight months, we have been exposed to both Pan American and European based competition that I feel have prepared us well for the challenge ahead."
This team represents a broad group of athletes, and solid leadership with a good amount of Pan American Games experience. It will be the fifth Games for Short and team captain Ken Pereira.
Pearson was also a member of the gold medal winning team in 2007.
"I'm always excited to represent Canada at the Pan Ams," says Pereira. "The team is looking forward to it, especially since this will be our first opportunity to qualify for London 2012. Those of us who have been to the Olympics want to go back - and we are excited for the new guys to experience what it's like to compete in an Olympic qualifier. The summer has been great preparation and we are looking to peak physically and mentally in Guadalajara."
