There will be 19 athletes and two coaches from Prince Albert representing Saskatchewan when the Canada Summer Games begin in St. John’s, NL on Aug. 9.
Saskatchewan will send 377 athletes to the games from 92 communities across the province.
“Every one of our teams has put in a tremendous amount of preparation to get ready for their moment on the national stage,” Team Saskatchewan Chef de Mission Greg Perreaux said in a press release. “These games will be an opportunity to build lifelong memories, meet new friends from across the province and country, and enjoy the incredible experience that only the Canada Games can offer.”
Saskatchewan’s volleyball teams will have the largest contingent of Prince Albert talent. Thomas Cyr, Matt Lefebvre, and Rueben Veith were all named to the men’s team. Abby Wasutyk will play for the women, and Matthew Lueck will coach the Men’s Beach Volleyball squad.
Former St. Mary Marauder’s setter is one of five Prince Albert volleyball players or coaches who will represent Saskatchewan at the upcoming Canada Summer Games. Saskatchewan’s volleyball squads have the largest contingent of Prince Albert players with three male athletes, one female athlete, and one coach.
The province’s two box lacrosse teams also have a strong Prince Albert base. Sawyer Elphinstone, Chase Lehner, and Tucker Prodaehl are set to join the men’s team while Madison Kemp will suit up for the women.
Team Saskatchewan announced their roster at the Regina Performing Arts Centre on Monday. Two sport athlete Hayden Kot will be the province’s flag bearer. The 16-year-old from Regina will represent Saskatchewan on the volleyball and basketball courts.
“I was so surprised,” Kot said in a press release. “I came out of our volleyball game, and when I saw a message from my basketball coach saying ‘CONGRATULATIONS’ I didn’t know what it was about at first. Then I read the full message and I was just so happy. It’s such an honour to represent Saskatchewan this way.”
Kot is a second generation Canada Games athlete. Her father Garrett competed at the 1993 Canada Summer Games in Kamloops.
“I’ve heard stories about the Canada Games from my dad, and now I finally get to experience it for myself,” Kot said. “It’s like a mini-Olympics. Getting to showcase my province in two sports… it’s something I’ll never forget.”
The Canada games run for two weeks in August. Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Canoe/Kayak, Road Cycling, Rugby Sevens, Swimming and Tennis are scheduled for Week 1, with Artistic Swimming, Track and Field, Mountain Biking, Diving, Golf, Volleyball, and Wrestling Scheduled for Week 2.
Baseball, Soccer, Softball, and Lacrosse will run all competition. Men’s Baseball, Women’s Lacrosse, Women’s Softball, and Men’s Soccer will run Week 1, with Women’s Baseball, Men’s Lacrosse, Men’s Softball, and Women’s Soccer running on Week 2.
The games run until Aug. 25.
Local athletes at the Canada Summer Games:
Male Athletes:
Giorgio Artunduaga – Soccer
Thomas Cyr – Volleyball
Sawyer Elphinstone — Lacrosse
Nathan Kowal – Wrestling
Matt Lefebvre – Volleyball
Chase Lehner – Lacrosse
Zane Litzenberger – Basketball
Emerson MacCuaig III – Basketball
Cameron Neudorf – Rugby Sevens
Tucker Prodaehl – Lacrosse
Noah Remy – Wrestling
Matthew Tysiaczny – Rugby Sevens
Reuben Veith – Volleyball
Female Athletes:
Criseyde Borthwick – Baseball
Ali Diehl – Swimming
Clara Gelhorn – Swimming
Madison Kemp – Lacrosse
Denaya Neudorf – Rugby Sevens
Abby Wasutyk – Volleyball
Coaches:
Thomas Favel – Soccer
Matthew Lueck – Beach Volleyball
Prince Albert area and the north:
Rhyan Amundson – Softball (Debden)
Marti Burechailo – Lacrosse (Wakaw)
Kira Comfort – Track and Field (Nipawin)
Lochlan Dufour – Softball (Laird)
Colton Hicks – Volleyball (Melfort)
Marcail Philp – Cycling (Shellbrook)
Felicity Pinay – Lacrosse (Marcelin)
Sage Roberts – Softball (Air Ronge)
