Few para-swimmers have caught Prince Albert’s Ali Diehl in the pool the last few years, and now they’re chasing her on the awards circuit too.
Diehl, a longtime member of the Prince Albert Sharks Swim Club, was recognized for her outstanding performances over the 2025 season with the Saskatchewan Youth Female Athlete of the Year Award at the Saskatchewan Sports Award Gala on Jan. 29.
“I was really surprised and I was really excited but I knew I had to go say a speech and I am not good (with speeches),” Diehl said with a laugh. “I tend to cry as soon as I start saying speeches in front of a lot of people, so that was kind of funny, but I’m just really happy overall. I’m really grateful.”
Diehl had a breakout season in 2025, winning five medals, including gold in the 100 m women’s multi-class breaststroke, at the Canadian Swimming Trials in Victoria. She also competed at the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore, where she was the youngest member of the Canadian team at 16-years-old.
Diehl finished fourth in her lone individual event, the women’s 100 m breaststroke SB9, and contributed to Canada’s fifth place finish in the mixed 4 x 100 medley relay.
Those accomplishments led Swimming Canada to name Diehl their Breakout Swimmer of the Year – Paralympic Program on Jan. 23. Less than a week later, she was in Regina to be named Saskatchewan’s Youth Female Athlete of the Year.
“I was really surprised for that one (Breakout Swimmer) because I had never heard of that award before,” Diehl said. “It’s honestly such a great honour and I’m so grateful. That past week was crazy.”
Prince Albert Sharks Swim Club coach Hazem Hussein said the awards were long overdue for the Prince Albert Swimmer.
Hussein has known Diehl since she was 10 years old, and said it was obvious even from a young age that she was a competitor.
“She has an iron desire and hunger to win,” Hussein said. “That award … is evidence of all the effort she puts forward.”
Hussein said Diehl has been a great role model for local swimmers, and not just for her podium finishes.
Diehl qualified to represent Saskatchewan at the most recent Canada Summer Games, but her time there was cut short due to injury.
Hussein said Diehl work hard to get healthy again, and showed a resilience and determination that inspired athletes across Saskatchewan, not just swimmers.
“It’s motivation for them to keep going, (and) keep up the hard work,” he said. “She is not just a good model or example or inspiration in swimming, but for the entire province.”
Diehl said Hussein and the Sharks have been a big part in the success she’s had as swimmer. She also credits her family for supporting her through successes and setbacks.
“I wouldn’t be able to do it without any of my teammates, and my coach really just believes in me all the time,” Diehl said. “He’s such a great coach. He listens to me, and what I need … and then my mom of course … she always believes in me and always wants what’s best for me.
“I like that we (the Sharks) all pretty close,” she added. “We all talk to each other every day at the pool and the older ones, there’s only a few of us, and we’re all pretty open.”
Diehl will be back in the pool in early March when she travels to Italy for a Para-Swimming World Series event.
Diehl was one of three athletes nominated for Saskatchewan Youth Female Athlete of the Year. The others were target shooter Sasha Krakowka of Saskatoon, and water polo player Clara Shyiak of Regina.
Diehl was one of three athletes with Prince Albert connections who were nominated for awards. Hussein was also nominated for Saskatchewan Coach of the Year, while University of Saskatchewan guard and Carlton alumnus Gage Grassick was nominated for Saskatchewan Female Athlete of the Year.
