June 1, 2021
Canada picks up first win at WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier
Canada got off to a strong start at the WBSC Baseball Qualifier in Florida with a 7-0 win over Colombia on Monday.
North Battleford’s Andrew Albers pitched seven innings, recording seven strikeouts while combing for a no-hitter for the red and white.
The Canadian squad, which also includes Saskatoon pitcher Dustin Molleken, will face Cuba on Tuesday and Venezuela on Wednesday to wrap up preliminary round action.
Read more about Canada’s first win at cbc.ca.
Watch games on cbc.ca.
Canadian synchro team claims first place, looks ahead to Olympic qualifier
Competing in a FINA World Series virtual event, the Canadian synchronized swimming team, including Saskatoon’s Sydney Carroll and Regina’s Kenzie Priddell, finished in the top spot with a score of 87.9667
Next up for the team will be the FINA ASWS Super Final in Barcelona, Spain June 10-13, which will be held in conjunction with the FINA Artistic Swimming Olympic Qualification Tournament.
Learn more at artisticswimming.ca.
Multiple Canadian Trials set for June
Saskatchewan diving, swimming and athletics hopefuls will get their shot at making their respective Canadian rosters with multiple Canadian Trials upcoming in June.
Canadian Olympic Diving Trials: June 28 to July 1 in Toronto
Canadian Olympic Swimming Trials: June 19-23 in Toronto
Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Athletics Trials: June 24-27 in Montreal
For more information on Saskatchewan’s hopefuls, please visit cheeronsask.ca.
Lyles invited to training camp
Saskatoon-born Trey Lyles is one of 21 athletes who accepted an invitation to attend Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team training camp ahead of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
The team will hold camp in Tampa, Florida at the Toronto Raptors temporary training facilities June 16-24 before travelling to Victoria for the qualifier, June 29 to July 4.
Lyles became the first Saskatoon-born player drafted to the NBA in 2015. His father, Tom, played on the Saskatoon Storm in the World Basketball League in the early 90s. The Lyles family including his Saskatoon and Canadian mother, Jessie, lived in Canada until 2002. Lyles currently plays for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA.
Canada is in Group A of the qualifying tournament and will meet Greece and China. The winner of the tournament books a ticket to the Tokyo Olympic Games. It would be the first time Canada has appeared in the Olympics in men’s basketball since 2000.
Learn more on basketball.ca.
Ken Babey to lead Canada Para Hockey team at world championship
Saskatoon’s Ken Babey will once again be at the helm of the Canadian Para Hockey team as head coach when the squad travels to Ostrava, Czech Republic June 19-26 for the world championships.
“We are thrilled to announce the 17 players that have been selected to represent Canada at the IPC World Para Hockey Championship,” said Babey. “As we look ahead to the 2022 Paralympics in Beijing, we are confident in the depth and talent on our roster. Despite having limited opportunities to gather as a full team in the past year, we know our players and staff are excited to compete for a gold medal in the Czech Republic.”
Also joining the team will be mental performance consultant Kyle McDonald of Regina.
Canada has one gold four times at world championships and claimed silver at the 2019 edition.
Read more on hockeycanada.ca.
Three Saskatchewan athletes crack national U19 volleyball roster
Volleyball Canada has released their roster for the Indoor Men’s U19 Team for 2021, with Saskatoon’s Keegan Colleaux, Regina’s Lucas Musschoot and Muenster’s Skyler Varga making the cut.
The team will begins virtual training in June with plans for in-person training in July in Vancouver. Depending on COVID-19 restrictions, the squad may also represent Canada at the Four Federations Competition scheduled for July 28 to August 5 in Anaheim.
Learn more at volleyball.ca.