Category Archives: Sports

Courting action during Loreburn’s junior RAVE

Loreburn’s Emmitt Hundeby returns the ball during a junior boys volleyball game on Sept. 16. Also pictured are Jackson Allan of Davidson (left) and Dylan Glubis of Loreburn.

By Joel van der Veen

LOREBURN — Whether you were playing, officiating or sitting in the stands, it felt like fall in the Loreburn rink last weekend.

Fifteen teams competed in Loreburn’s junior boys and girls RAVE volleyball tournament on Sept. 16, with the action divided between the arena and the gym at Loreburn Central School.

With fall temperatures setting in, spectators and players on the bench sought refuge in winter coats and heavy blankets, while active players and officials had to find other means to conserve their body heat.

Sue Ann Abbott, who was keeping track of game results, said the rink warmed up as the day went on — “not a great deal, but enough to make it more comfortable for the referees and the people sitting in there.”

Three courts were set up on the concrete floor of the skating rink, while the school gym served as the fourth court.

The day began with round-robin play and ended with playoff games. Ten girls teams and five boys teams competed.

Continue reading Courting action during Loreburn’s junior RAVE

Win at home over Lanigan opens new football season

The Davidson Raiders’ Trystan Stacowich (55) moves in on the Lanigan Lazers’ Wade Morrow (63) during a Sept. 8 senior football game in Davidson.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — With just five games in their regular season, each one counts for the Davidson Raiders this year.

The six-man football team started things off right with a 46-36 win over the Lanigan Lazers at home on Sept. 8.

“It was a great morale booster to get the home win,” said coach Jason Low, calling the game a “team victory.”

The Raiders led for most of the game, but Lanigan remained hot on their heels throughout.

“I felt like it was a very balanced game,” Low remarked. “Both teams were pretty evenly matched.”

The Raiders have a roster of 19 players this season, but only six of them are students at Davidson School.

Also playing are two students from Loreburn, five from Craik and six from Kenaston.

Low acknowledged that without the co-op arrangement that allows students from other area schools to play, Davidson wouldn’t have been able to field a senior football team this year. Continue reading Win at home over Lanigan opens new football season

Sabers beat Viscount 72-21 to open season

Hanley’s Parker Mooney (23) heads off Viscount’s Bryce Welter (8) during Thursday’s senior football game.

By Joel van der Veen

HANLEY — A 72-21 win in their home opener gave the Hanley Sabers a solid start to their new season.

Hanley hosted the Viscount Vikings on Thursday in 1A six-man senior football action.

Though the visiting team remained competitive through the first half, the Sabers led throughout and ran away with the game in the fourth quarter, in which they added 30 points to their score.

While he was pleased with the outcome, Sabers coach Mark Anderson also said there was lots of work ahead for the team.

In particular, he said there was room for improvement with the team’s offensive line, saying they displayed skill but needed to work on their timing.

“On offence we have so many new starters,” said Anderson. “They’re just not clicking yet.”

The coach said he was feeling positive, given the team Hanley has this year and the high level of commitment they are showing.

“They’re into it fully,” he said, adding, “We’ve got to play faster and we’ve got to play tougher.” Continue reading Sabers beat Viscount 72-21 to open season

Raiders ready despite low numbers

Jacob Schilling and teammates take part in an agility drill at a senior football practice in Davidson on Aug. 28.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — An uncertain week gave way to optimism on Thursday as Davidson coaches agreed to move forward on another season of senior football.

Early last week, the coming season appeared to be in jeopardy with nine or 10 players showing up at the first two practices, well short of the minimum number required for a six-man team.

But Thursday’s practice drew 14 players, said coach Jason Low, adding that he’s also waiting to hear from “maybe a few more who are on the fence.”

“We decided to give it a go,” he said Friday in a phone call from Outlook, where he was attending a coaching convention hosted by Football Saskatchewan.

The Davidson Raiders will begin their season with a home game against Lanigan on Friday, Sept. 8, at 4 p.m.

The team plays in the 2A league in a conference that also includes Assiniboia, Preeceville, Watrous and Wynyard. (Watson was originally part of the league but had to drop out due to low player numbers.)

Davidson’s coaching staff this year includes Low, John Jamieson and Garrett Bailey, along with Greg Bennett, a new addition to the staff at Davidson School. (Bailey and Bennett are also leading the school’s junior football program.)

Kenaston principal Greg McJannet is joining the coaching staff of the Outlook High School Blues, where his son is on the roster. Trevor Ouellette, whose son Addison graduated last year, also decided to retire from coaching football after last season.

The Raiders have a co-op agreement with three area schools, allowing players from Craik, Kenaston and Loreburn to play on the team.

The senior team met three times last week and will soon transition into its regular schedule of early-morning practices.

Low attributed the low initial turnout to a couple of factors, including some miscommunication. For instance, he said some out-of-town parents were unaware of the co-op arrangement and didn’t know their kids were eligible to play.

As well, some potential players have chosen to focus on one specific sport like basketball.

Eight players graduated from Grade 12 last year, including much of the team’s offensive core.

This year Davidson also has to contend with a small Grade 12 class, meaning fewer potential players.

“We’re kind of back to our drawing board this year,” said Low, calling it something of an “anomaly year.”

While the coach wasn’t sure about what the season would hold, he said he’s looking forward to it, adding that the players have demonstrated their enthusiasm and willingness to work hard.

Last year Davidson finished the regular season in third place out of four teams in their conference with two wins and four losses. They lost 49-12 to Assiniboia in the first round of playoffs.

Taylor makes powerlifting debut

Jonathan Taylor executes a squat, one of three events he completed in his first powerlifting competition in Medicine Hat, Alta., on Aug. 19.

By Joel van der Veen

MEDICINE HAT — A year after he began training in earnest, his efforts are paying off.

Davidson resident Jonathan Taylor competed in his first powerlifting competition in Medicine Hat, Alta., on Aug. 19.

Taking part in the 2017 Grind Powerlifting Challenge at the Temple Fitness club, Taylor posted some impressive results.

He finished first in his age and weight class, and took second for the men’s open category in his weight class.

“It’s a great personal test, in my opinion,” Taylor said. “It was exciting to get a plaque.”

Taylor, 21, lives in Davidson and works as a primary care paramedic for Davidson EMS.

He competed in the junior age division (20-24 years) and the 90-kg and under weight division.

In that category, he placed first in the squat, where his best was 207.5 kg (465 lbs), and first in the deadlift, with a result of 265 kg (586 lbs).

He came in second in the bench press, where his best was 117.5 kg (260 lbs), though he missed his third attempt in that event.

For the full story, please see the Aug. 28 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Riding club wraps up season

Aidan Haraldson, left, and Hunter Wightman bring their horses to a halt during a meet in Davidson on Aug. 19.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Local horseback riders wrapped up their season with a western performance and gymkhana event at the Davidson rodeo grounds on Aug. 19.

The Davidson Riding Club hosted the event, their sixth and last meet of the season, though several riders have qualified to compete in provincial finals next month.

The club’s membership includes riders from Davidson and other nearby communities, and as far away as Saskatoon.

Riders are divided into seven age groups. Members of the local club range in age from three years to 60-plus, with the eldest being categorized as “Pioneers.”

“If you’re still riding at that age, it’s quite a compliment,” said organizer Gloria Kadlec.

JC Manz, age 3, was the youngest rider at Saturday’s event, riding by herself for the first time on Blackie, a Shetland pony. Her mom Beth was close by.

Other local riders included Hunter Wightman in the Junior C age group. His horse, Lacey, had been out of commission for most of the season, recovering from an abscess in one hoof.

Competitors are judged and assigned points in different categories.

For the full story, please see the Aug. 28 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.