Sports briefs: Golden haul for Huskies at Sanderson Classic
In the women's triple jump, Olamide Olaloku not only claimed gold, but also set a new Huskies record with a jump of 12.17 metres, breaking the previous record of 12.12 she set in 2022.
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The University of Saskatchewan Huskies started the track and field season hosting the Sanderson Classic over the weekend, earning 14 gold medals in front of hometown fans.
In the women’s triple jump, Olamide Olaloku not only claimed gold, but also set a new Huskies record with a jump of 12.17 metres, breaking the previous record of 12.12 she set in 2022.
Joining her in picking up gold medals on the women’s side were: Avery Pearson (600m and 1,000m); Taylor Shultz (high jump and long jump); Timi Adelugba (60-m hurdles); Paige Willems (300m); Kaitlyn Harrison (1,500m); Allison Grajczyk-Jelinski (3,000m); the 4x200m relay team.
Meanwhile, on the men’s side, Alexander Webster (3,000m), Drew Sundberg (long jump), Myles Quick (shot put) and Tiago Dimande (60-m hurdles) also won gold.
BASKETBALL
Saskatchewan’s women’s team — ranked No. 1 in Canada — started 2024 the same way it ended action in 2023, with a pair of back-to-back victories, this time against the visiting University of British Columbia Heat.
On Friday night, the Huskies led 40-36 at halftime, but turned it up in the second half to eventually win 89-63; Saskatchewan’s Carly Ahlstrom led with a game-high 21 points and added a team-high nine rebounds.
The following evening, the hometown team was strong from the start, even holding the Heat to only six points in the third quarter on its way to a 88-48 victory. Ahlstrom had a game-high 20 points.
With the victories, Saskatchewan improves to 12-0 on the season and maintains first place in Canada West.
Over on the men’s side, the Huskies were able to hold off a fourth-quarter comeback from the Heat — who trailed 65-50 with 10 minutes to play — and pick up a 79-74 victory, with Saskatchewan’s Alexander Dewar earning a game-high 25 points along the way.
Dewar carried his high into Saturday’s game, earning 38 points while helping the Dogs to a 98-83 win.
The sweep improves Saskatchewan’s standings to 8-4 and seventh in Canada West.
VOLLEYBALL
Both teams were on the road in Calgary to take on the Mount Royal University Cougars.
The men split their games, losing on Friday night 3-2 (18-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-23, 10-15), but winning 3-1 (26-24, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21) on Saturday.
Isaiah Mamer led Saskatchewan on both nights with 16 and 14 kills, respectively.
The Dogs are fourth in Canada West with a 10-6 record.
The women’s team wasn’t able to pick up a win on the weekend. The Huskies fell 3-2 (23-25, 26-24, 19-25, 25-16, 6-15) on Friday, as well as Saturday 3-1 (25-15, 17-25, 16-25, 22-25).
Abbey Klein earned 14 kills in the Huskies’ first game, while Keely Anderson picked up 12 in the second game.
The losses drop Saskatchewan’s record to 5-11 and they are now 10th in Canada West.
HOCKEY
Saskatchewan’s women’s team earned a pair of victories while hosting the Trinity Western University Spartans over the weekend.
On Friday, Trinity Western scored early in the first period to go up 1-0, but Saskatchewan’s Kate Ball notched a goal with 14 seconds left in the period to tie the game at one.
That stalemate remained until four minutes and 58 seconds into the third period, when Mallory Dyer scored to give the Huskies a 2-1 lead and eventually the win.
Camryn Drever made 24 stops on 25 shots in net for Saskatchewan.
The next night, Dyer and teammate Kara Kondrat scored in the first period, but were followed by two goals from the Spartans in the second period to make the score 2-2 entering the third.
Saskatchewan once again picked up the game-winner as Jasper Desmarias scored with just under five minutes left in the game to give her team the 3-2 win.
Drever stopped 27 of 29 in net.
The wins give Saskatchewan a 14-5-0-1 record and fourth place in Canada West.
SASKATCHEWAN SPORT AWARDS
The 12 recipients of the 2023 Saskatchewan Sport Awards in the recognition category, as well as 18 finalists in the excellence category, were announced last week.
Included in the recognition category are the Inspire Through Sport Award, the Coach Dedication Award and the Volunteer Dedication Award, while the six awards in the excellence category include Youth Male and Youth Female Athletes of the Year, Male and Female Athletes of the Year, Team of the Year and Coach of the Year.
The full list of recipients and finalists can be found at sasksport.ca and the gala celebrating them will be on Feb. 1 in Regina.
WALTER MURRAY WINS BRIT
With a score of 73-65, the Walter Murray Marauders claimed the 54th BRIT title on Saturday, defeating fellow Saskatoon team the Holy Cross Crusaders.
The championship wasn’t the only thing the Marauders celebrated; coach Scott Hawley was named Coach of the Tournament and Zach Hawley earned the MVP award.
Joining in on the honours were the tournament all-stars, including Dillyn Morin from Walter Murray, Moe Osman and Kian Tyson from Holy Cross, Dominic Aquino from St. George and Everson Harker from Raymond.
The Team Sportsmanship award went to Langley Christian.
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