ST. CATHARINES, ON (August 17, 2022): After an action-packed day with competitions taking place in every week two sport besides Cycling, Team Sask continues to do well in all events. There was some incremental weather, the lack of wind in the morning delayed the launch of boats in sailing and the humidity was a factor for those competing on the track. Despite the conditions, athletics added three more bronze medals to the medal count!
TEAM SASK MEDAL COUNT:
GOLD: X | SILVER: 7 | BRONZE: 7 | TOTAL: 14
QUOTES OF THE DAY:
- Kyrell Sopotyk moments after receiving his bronze medal
- "I think anytime you get to represent your province you do it with pride and enjoy every minute of it. The games experience has been fun and to be to apart of such a welcoming athletics team has been awesome" said Kyrell Sopotyk.
- "He (Kyrell Sopotyk) has been training for 10 months. His first outdoor competition was in May. He attended Nationals in June. He is an incredible athlete to coach. He brings an amazing work ethic and desire to learn more each time he trains. We couldn't be more proud of him and how hard he works and how far he has come in such a short period of time” said Coach Jen Wood, athletics.
- "The choice of the coaching staff to have Jonathan Podbielski in the steeplechase event was done last minute. We taught him the barrier jumps on Monday, the water pits on Wednesday and today he won the bronze medal" said Coach RossAnn Edwards, athletics.
- “I just want to “do better”, that’s what I'm trying to live by. Our former coach Chad Pottle (who passed away a year ago in February and coached many players on Team Sask for a number of years) used that saying all the time"” said Jackson Lenz, box lacrosse.
- "I'm very pleased with the competition. It went well, there was a bit of a tug or war between third and fourth place throughout the competition, but I'm glad that in the final round I could pull out a pb (personal best) after a seasons best earlier. Being able to pb is such an awesone thing, its such a great feeling. Fourth is good, but I'm ready to use the fuel for the next season" said Olamide Olaloku, athletics.
TEAM SASK SPOTLIGHT:
- Today was Pride Day around Canada Games Park. Team Sask showed their support and solidarity by wearing pride coloured clothing and engaging in the activities planned by the 2022 Niagara Canada Games Host Society!
- The food volunteers at the sailing venue had great praise for our athletes. Twins, Erika and Elisa Markentin (sailing) offered to help clean up the food tent. There were many comments on the friendliness and respect our athletes are showing.
PREVIOUS DAY HIGHLIGHTS:
- ATHLETICS, PARA ATHLETICS, SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Team Sask added three more medals our medal count. Kyrell Sopotyk placed third in the 1500m wheelchair male event earning a bronze medal for his efforts, Jenna McFadyen and Jonathan Adam Podbielski earned bronze medals in the 3000m steeplechase female and male, respectively. Rounding out top five results are Kaitlyn Harrison placing fourth in the 3000m steeplechase, Olamide Olaloku placing fourth in women’s triple jump and Yousif Kaed placing fifth in the 1500m wheelchair event.
- BOX LACROSSE (M): Team Sask won both their games today. They had a strong game against Team PEI, defeating them 10-2. Final score against Team NB 8-2. They now sit second in Pool B.
- CANOE KAYAK: After finishing second in her heat, Aysha Sparrowhawk qualified for the final in the K-1 1000m. She finished fourth overall. The K-4 500m male team advanced to the final after a second-place finish in their heat. They placed fifth overall. The C-2 500m male and K-2 500m female both placed sixth, while the C-1 1000m female, C-1 1000m male, IC-4 500m female and K-1 1000m male all placed seventh overall.
- CYCLING: Today was a training day for Team Sask. They will compete August 18 in the road race.
- DIVING: Kash Tarasoff finished eighth place in 3m springboard male. Lila Stewart placed seventh in the platform event, while Brooklyn Markusson placed eighth. Presley Deck rounded out the top ten finishes with nineth place in the platform female.
- GOLF: After a great first day of golf, Darien Herlick sits even at 72 and is in sixth place. Hunter is +2 at 74 and is currently tied for eighth. On the women’s side Ella Kozak is tied for second with a score of 69 (-3 par) and Hallie is tied for seventh with a score of 88. Round two is scheduled for August 18.
- ROWING: Pepper Howe advances to the A final August 20 in the single scull. Men’s pair consisting of Johnny McLeod and Max Pally finished third after competing in the repêchage. The women’s quadruple sculls advanced to A final (August 20) after placing first in their heat. Women’s pair consisting of Ellen Marion and Brooklyn Schwab finished third after competing in the repêchage. Men’s quadruple advanced to A final August 20 after finishing second in their heat. The men’s eight places third after competing in the repêchage. Women’s lightweight double sculls advanced to the final after placing second in their heat.
- SAILING, PARA SAILING: The lack of wind in the morning delayed the launch of the boats. However, Paige Butx and Krystle Shewchuk raced in the 2.4m para mix event today, finishing second and third, respectively. Alec Watters sailed his way to finish fifith in the race one of the Single Handed Laser Male.
- SOCCER (F): Team Sask had a tough game against Team MB. They fell to Team MB 0-4.
- SOFTBALL (M): Team Sask wasted no time winning against Team AB. They defeated Alberta 10-0 in just four innings of play 4. They went on the win against Team QC, 4-3 later in the day. They are currently 4-0 in the preliminary round.
- VOLLEYBALL: Team Sask wins over Team BC, 3-0. They currently sit second in Pool B. The women came up short losing a tough match to Team BC, 3-2. Both teams are on the court August 18 in preliminary action.
PHOTOS
PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Scraper
VISIT: TeamSask.ca / niagara2022games.ca
FOLLOW: @goteamsask on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ashley Dennison, Communications Lead
Team Sask / Saskatchewan Games Council
E: adennison@saskgames.ca
C: (306) 570-2525
