February 20, 2024
Photo – Dave Holland
Canada’s women’s water polo qualifies for 2024 Olympics
The Canadian women’s water polo team, including Regina’s Blaire McDowell, qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics through a unique situation after missing out on the original berth at the World Aquatics Championships.
McDowell with Canada’s women’s water polo team lost their match 10-8 against Australia and 12-18 against Italy in classification. In quarterfinals against Spain, Canada lost their final game 12-9 and therefore their chance to attend the Olympics. The sombre news was turned into a high a few hours later as South Africa forfeited their Olympic Games berth, passing the qualifying spot to Canada.
Team Canada finished in eighth place at the championships.
Tierney wraps up time at World Aquatic Championships
Saskatoon swimmer Blake Tierney competed in multiple events the World Aquatics Championships, with a fourth-place finish in the men’s 4×100-metre relay as his best result.
In that event, Canada completed the race in a time of 3:34.89.
In solo competition, Tierney finished 18th in the heats for the men’s 100-m backstroke with a time of 54.46. He also combined with teammates to finish 10th in the heat races for the men’s 4×200-m freestyle relay and the mixed 4×100-m medley relay.
Saskatchewan’s Team Ackerman has mixed start at Scotties Tournament
A mixed start for Team Ackerman of Saskatoon, representing Saskatchewan at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts from February 16- 22 in Calgary.
Saskatchewan members Skylar Ackerman (skip), Kaylin Skinner (lead), Taylor Stremick (second) and Ashley Thevenot (third) went 3-2 in the round robin and will look ahead to their next game against Team Einarson, who has played 4-1 in their previous matches.
Team Ackerman is sitting fourth in Pool A.
Two Saskatchewan athletes on Team Canada for Rocky Mountain Cup
Aberdeen’s Kyrell Sopotyk was joined by Regina’s Nik Goncin as they represented Canada at the Rocky Mountain Cup from February 15-20 in Colorado Springs.
Canada started strong, defeating the United States back-to-back, winning 56-45 in their first match and 59-35 in the second. For the third game against Italy, Canada lost 63-53 before ending on a high in their final game against the United States, dominating 68-50.
The event was preparation for the 2024 Men’s IWBF Repechage Tournament, set for April 12-15 in Antibes, France.
Regina’s Garrett Ostepchuk is n also a member of the men’s national team, but was not available for this event.
Live footage of the games can be found on the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Facebook.
Norsten on roster for HSBC SVNS rugby tournament
Carissa Norsten, who hails from Waldheim, is listed on the roster to represent Canada’s women’s 7s rugby team at the at HSBC SVNS, February 23 to 25 in Vancouver.
This will be Norsten’s first time competing at an international rugby event in Vancouver.