Category Archives: Sports

Craik, featured, Sports

Para athletes bring tour to Craik

Craik student Quinn Nielson takes a spin in a handcycle under the guidance of former Paralympic athlete Colette Bourgonje.
Craik student Quinn Nielson takes a spin in a handcycle under the guidance of former Paralympic athlete Colette Bourgonje.

By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — As he took control of a handcycle for the first time, the look on Quinn Nielson’s face was equal parts hard work and joy.

His arms pumped back and forth as he manoeuvred around the gym at Craik School using the hand-propelled, three-wheeled vehicle.

It didn’t take long for Quinn to get the hang of it, and soon he was picking up speed, making sharper turns as he continued doing loops of the room.

His sister Maren — like him, a Grade 12 student at Craik — also had a go at the handcycle, with every bit as much enthusiasm as her brother had.

“I need one of those,” she said afterward, grinning widely. “I don’t know how good this is going to go over with Mom.”

The handcycle was brought to Craik School on Tuesday by a group of athletes headed across the province on the Saskatchewan Para-Sport Tour Dream Relay.

Between June 8 and 17, the team of 14 athletes travelled from Prince Albert to Regina to promote parasports and physical activity in general, and to recruit new athletes.

“Sport changes lives, and we’re having a ball,” said organizer Colette Bourgonje, “and we want to change other people’s lives as well.”

The 363-kilometre tour included stops at six schools — Queen Mary in Prince Albert, Duck Lake, Warman, Hanley, Craik and Lumsden.

For the full story, please see the June 20 print edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured, Kenaston, Loreburn, Sports

Records broken at sectional track meet

Davidson's Ethan Schilling runs the bantam boys 80-metre hurdles event at the east sectional track and field meet in Outlook on Wednesday.
Davidson’s Ethan Schilling runs the bantam boys 80-metre hurdles event at the east sectional track and field meet in Outlook on Wednesday.

 

By Joel van der Veen

OUTLOOK — It was a record-breaking day at the east sectional high school track and field meet at Outlook High School on Wednesday.

Nearly 30 records were broken during the meet, which drew competitors from nine schools.

Jordan Matheson of Davidson broke the bantam girls record in the 100-metre dash with a time of 14.02 seconds, while Blake Allan ran the 400-metre dash in 1:00.92, taking the midget boys record.

Kenaston’s Trystan Stacowich broke the midget boys record in the discus throw, with a distance of 37.08 metres.

Loreburn students set three new records on Wednesday, including Anika Lakinger, who completed a shot put throw of 10.10 metres for the bantam girls.

Dodge Long finished the 800-metre run in 2:29.02 for the midget boys, while Maddy Vollmer recorded a triple jump of 10.10 metres for the senior girls.

For the full story, comprehensive results and more photos, see the May 23 edition of The Davidson Leader, or phone 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, featured, Sports

Blake Allan drafted by Kootenay Ice

Blake Allan
Blake Allan

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Answering a cell phone call in the middle of class is usually frowned upon at Davidson School.

But on the day of the WHL bantam draft, teachers were willing to make an exception for Blake Allan.

The 15-year-old took a call on May 5 from his agent, Michael Kaye, who told him he’d been drafted by the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League.

“It was pretty good,” said Blake, the oldest child of Ken and Kelly Allan of Davidson.

Blake, a left wing who played this past season with the Humboldt Bantam AA Broncos, was a third-round draft pick for Kootenay, coming 56th overall.

For the full story, please see the May 16 edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

 

Davidson, Loreburn, Sports

U18 Impact wins division gold

Members of the Loreburn Impact 18U pose for a group photo following their Division 2, Tier III win in the 2016 Conexus Provincial Volleyball Championships on April 24.
Members of the Loreburn Impact 18U pose for a group photo following their Division 2, Tier III win in the 2016 Conexus Provincial Volleyball Championships on April 24.

By Joel van der Veen

LOREBURN — A U18 girls club volleyball team drawing players from throughout the district capped their season with a win at a provincial championship last weekend.

On April 24, the Loreburn Impact 18U defeated the Saskatoon Connex 17U following three sets (25-21, 25-27 and 15-8) to take the gold medal in the Division 2, Tier III event in the 2016 Conexus Provincial Volleyball Championships.

Tony Baldwin, who coached the team with Laurice Vollmer and Karen McConnell, said the team’s roster included players from throughout the district, including Imperial, Davidson, Outlook, Loreburn, Dinsmore and Rosetown.

Though there were a total of 10 players, the team rarely had all players present for its tournaments, as most were involved in other activities including basketball, hockey, wrestling and badminton.

“Lots of them are multi-sport athletes,” said Baldwin, noting that the core of the team had played together before, though several new players joined this season.

The coach said the club team was formed with the goal of allowing the girls to enjoy the game, improve their skills and meet new friends, with winning being of secondary importance.

“They’re making friends and having fun, and that’s the goal,” he said. “We were entirely successful on that front. . . That’s the beauty of small-town club volleyball.”

The team competed mostly in tournaments, taking part in six such events, along with a single exhibition game in Rosetown and the provincial event, which ends their season.

All 10 were present for the division final on April 24, and Baldwin said he was pleased with the end result.

Local players on the team included Kaitlyn Baldwin of Davidson, Jacey Sanden and Lynzey Sanden from Loreburn, and Sarah Joa and Harper Rae from Imperial.

Also on the roster were Nikki Larson from Outlook, Kailyn Jensen and Jocelyn Thorpe from Dinsmore, and Chloe Montreuil and Naomi Hanna from Rosetown.

featured, Hanley, Sports

Suttie makes her mark with qualifying throw

Hanley native Taryn Suttie is pictured in this file photo. (Photo by Dave Eagles/Courtesy of Kamloops This Week)
Hanley native Taryn Suttie is pictured in this file photo. (Photo by Dave Eagles/Courtesy of Kamloops This Week)

By Joel van der Veen

PHOENIX, Ariz. — For Taryn Suttie, 17.75 was the magic number that would bring her another step closer to the Olympics.

She hit the mark and then some on April 9 at the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe, Ariz., with a shot-put throw of 17.88 metres.

With that throw, Suttie surpassed the qualifying level for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

With that achievement behind her, she said she can focus on training and executing her throws properly between now and July, when Canada’s Olympic roster is officially announced.

“I’m happy to get it out of the way quickly,” Suttie said Tuesday in a phone interview from Phoenix, Ariz. “I don’t have to have the standard on my mind, because it’s done with.”

Taryn, 25, is a native of Hanley, a graduate of Hanley Composite School and the daughter of Don and Deb Suttie.

She had previously competed as a member of the University of Saskatchewan’s track and field team, and has since spent several years training in British Columbia.

In October, she relocated to Columbus, Ohio, where she trained with her coach Justin Rodhe.

Suttie then arrived in Phoenix in mid-March, competing in a couple of events and maintaining a regular training schedule.

Prior to last weekend, her personal best had been 17.66 metres, though she had surpassed that in practice and had achieved an 18-metre throw once.

“I knew I was capable of it,” she said. “I just had to do it at the right time and the right place.”

The Canadian national track and field championships and Olympic trials will be held the second weekend of July in Edmonton, at which point Suttie will learn whether or not she’ll be competing in Rio.

She said she will be working hard on improving the technical aspects of her throwing, as well as spending time in the weight room to improve her speed and power.

“I’ll do some meets to stay fresh,” said Suttie, who travelled to California on Thursday. She was scheduled to compete in two events there in April, before heading to Victoria, B.C., in May.

Suttie continues to feel the support and encouragement of her former neighbours, saying, “All of Hanley has been so supportive . . . I’m definitely proud to come from there.”

Much of her schedule between now and July is undetermined, she said, adding that she keeps her suitcase packed and is constantly booking flights as events come up.

“As long as I have a place to train,” she said, “then I’m good to go.”

Davidson, featured, Kenaston, Loreburn, Sports

Junior badminton program sees spike in players

Davidson's Jordan Matheson and Avery Ebenal both have their eye on the birdie during a mixed doubles match against Kenaston's Carson George and Brooke Villeneuve on Tuesday.
Davidson’s Jordan Matheson and Avery Ebenal both have their eye on the birdie during a mixed doubles match against Kenaston’s Carson George and Brooke Villeneuve on Tuesday.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A dramatic rise in the number of Grade 7 players enrolled means Davidson School has two junior badminton teams this year.

Coach Ian Osmond reported that around 20 players in Grade 7 have joined the program this year, along with 17 players in grades 8 and 9.

“We actually had to split the teams up this year,” he said, noting that Karen McConnell has agreed to coach the younger players.

He said the Grade 7 class is an active bunch, which may account for their high level of interest in the sport.

“They love sports, they love taking part in school activities,” said Osmond, “and they’re a big class.”

Davidson’s Grade 8 and 9 players hosted the teams from Kenaston, Loreburn and Outlook in exhibition matches on Tuesday afternoon, allowing them to enjoy some low-stakes play and to scope the competition for this year.

Kenaston coach Evan Pasternak said he has seven junior badminton players registered this year — mostly boys, with just one girl, Brooke Villeneuve, taking part.

He said his players are looking to have fun and improve their skills, adding, “We’re not a serious, hardcore badminton team by any means.”

Grant Abbott is coaching both the junior and senior teams at Loreburn Central School. They started up in mid-March.

Abbott said they have a young junior team this year, with six players in grades 7 and 8.

Among them is Alyssa Glubis, who reached district finals last year but lost to a player from Biggar. Abbott said he’s hopeful she’ll reach finals again this year.

He added that he was pleased to see the high level of involvement among Davidson’s juniors this year, even if it likely means tougher competition for his school.

The season is moving ahead quickly, with intersectionals scheduled for April 21. Loreburn will host Outlook, and Kenaston will host Davidson.

Sectionals will follow on April 26 at Outlook High School, while district competition will wrap up the season on April 30, with competing junior players heading to Rosetown.

For the full story, see the April 11 edition of The Davidson Leader.