6
Weyburn Review, Weyburn, Saskatchewan -- September 1, 2021
sports
Weyburn Iron Pigs advance to second round of playoffs
The Weyburn Iron Pigs defeated the Regina Capitals two games to none in a best-of-three series for the first round of their playoffs. In an away game against the Capitals on August 26, the Iron Pigs captured a 111 victory to secure the win. In the first inning, the Iron Pigs took a strong lead by earning four runs, while the Capitals only scored one run. The Iron Pigs extended their lead by scoring another six runs in the second inning.
After added one run in the fifth inning, the game was decided in favor for the Iron Pigs after only needing to play six innings. Eric Evans pitched three innings, with only one run scored off two hits. Adam Ziegler and Luke Niemegeers finished the time on the mound, pitching one innning and two innings respectively.. Their opponent for the second round was announced on August 31, after publication deadlines.
Swift Current to host Western Showdown curling tournament The Swift Current Curling Club will host the IG Wealth Management Western Showdown, Saskatchewan’s largest World Curling Tour event, on October 8 to 11. Several of the top teams from around the world will gather at the Swift Current Curling Club to compete for a $50,000 prize purse and valuable Olympic trial points. These trial points will give teams a chance to be selected for the Olympic
trials being held in Saskatoon in November. Included among the 24 men’s teams from around the world are: Team Bottcher, the 2021 Brier champions, Matt Dunstone rink, won bronze at the 2020 Brier; Kevin Koe rink, champion of the 2019 Brier; Brad Jacobs rink, won gold at the 2014 Olympics; Mike McEwen rink, a 7x GSOC champion; and Tyler Tardi rink, a 2018-2019 World Junior Champion.
SHA announces name change to Hockey Saskatchewan It is with great excitement that the Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA) has launched a new name and logo for the 2021-22 hockey season and beyond. From this day forward, the association will be aptly named Hockey Saskatchewan. The name change brings the organization in line with Hockey Canada, where “hockey” comes before the organization’s location, and is seen on many of the provincial branches across the country. Furthermore, the name change eliminates any confusion with “SHA”; the acronym used by the Saskatchewan Hockey Association and has been recently shared with the Saskatchewan Health Authority since their name change. “As an organization we felt it was a good time to update our name and logo. Given the ongoing pandemic, confusion surrounding the acronym played a role in this change and we hope this will clear matters up when identifying our organization,” said Kelly McClintock, General Manager of Hockey Saskatchewan. As an organization, Hockey Saskatchewan is
looking forward to the new hockey season with the return to games and hope to better serve the hockey community with the launch of a new website (www. hockeysask.ca). The website brings Hockey Saskatchewan a new digital space that is more mobile friendly, interactive and responsive. Along with the website, we have a future announcement to be made in the coming weeks that will further expand Hockey Saskatchewan’s digital foot print and provide membership and fans alike the best access to news and information. Hockey Saskatchewan was established in 1912 and is the governing body for organized hockey in the Province of Saskatchewan. With a mission to Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Hockey Experiences, Hockey Saskatchewan encourages competition at all levels – from recreational to high performance. SHA has grown through the years and is Saskatchewan’s largest sports organization with over 43,000 members comprised of players, coaches, and officials. For more information, please visit www.hockeysask.ca.
PART-TIME DRIVER REQUIRED To deliver the Weyburn Review to stores and carriers every Wednesday morning. Vehicle supplied. Approximately 3 hours. Must have valid driver’s license and be able to carry small bundles of paper. Drop off resume and driver’s abstract to 904 East Avenue, Weyburn or email to accounting@weyburnreview.com.
Veteran players aim to build leadership skills for younger team members
Zack Schmidt, Ben Michel and Ben Manning are all veteran Grade 12 players for the Comp Eagles football team. The Comp Eagles have a pre-season controlled scrimmage home game against Estevan on Friday, Sept. 3 Review Photo -- Sabrina Kraft
Comp Eagles players, coaches are excited for upcoming football season By Sabrina Kraft Excitement was in the air at the Comp Eagles football practices, as players and coaches are excited for their upcoming season. Ben Manning, Ben Michel and Zack Schmidt are all veteran Grade 12 players for the team. “I am looking forward to building new relationships with the team, and getting back onto the field,” said Manning. He is a quarterback for the Eagles, and has played football since the age of 10. “I am looking forward to giving the younger players some tips and pointers, so when they are our age they will have good leadership skills and build a good team,” added Manning. “I am excited to be out here and playing with all my friends again. It should be good,” said Michel. He is a running back and linebacker for the Eagles, and has played since the age of nine. “We want to help out the younger players with every-
thing, and make them into great leaders by Grade 12. Hopefully everything goes according and we get to win a lot this year,” said Michel. “It will be nice to just be able to play, since it has been a while since we got to play any sports with all the COVID lockdowns,” said Schmidt. He is a kicker and halfback for the Eagles, and has also played football since the age of nine. “I am looking forward to helping out the younger players with their skills, and making sure that they can become better,” added Schmidt. When it comes to team dynamics, each of the veteran Grade 12 players feel encouraged by other players and try to lead by example. All three players were asked to name the most encouraging team member. “Austin Knupp is always there, right by my side. He is always picking me up when I am down,” said Manning. “Evan Barsness is sort of like the dad of the team.
He encourages everyone and is there for everyone,” said Schmidt. “Both Evan and Austin are great leaders on our team, and they help around with everything, and are both a great support,” added Manning. The three Grade 12 players also spoke about the coach who they feel helps them the most during practices and games. “As a player, I would go to Coach Rob Umbach, he always has great tips for players, and whenever I need help with making decisions on the field he is always there,” said Manning. “Colton Neithercut is a great coach. He is a good guy to have around, and helps me a lot with learning the techniques for the field,” said Schmidt. “Coaches Chris Michel and Neithercut are both very supportive. They both help me to get better as a player, every single day,” said Michel, who is the son of Coach Chris Michel.
Finally, each player was asked which professional football player they felt inspired by. “Barry Sanders (Detroit Lions) was an idol of mine growing up. I really liked way the he played, and everything about him,” said Michel. “I really like the style of Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), “said Manning, who wears a bandana during practice and games, just like Mahomes is known for. “I really like how Randy Moss (Minnesota Vikings) always caught the ball over people’s heads,” said Schmidt. All three veteran players agreed that Yorkton would provide a great challenge for competition during the upcoming season. The Comp Eagles have a pre-season controlled scrimmage home game against Estevan on Friday, September 3 at 4:30 p.m. The home opener will be against Yorkton on Saturday, September 11 at 1 p.m.
Close races during Motor Speedway event The Estevan Motor Speedway had its track championship weekend Saturday and Sunday. The races were initially supposed to happen Friday and Saturday, but Friday’s program was pushed back to Sunday due to rain. More than 70 cars were entered each night. Kody Scholpp won the modified track championship for the second straight year and had the largest point differential of any champion. Scholpp finished with 424 of a possible 440 points on the season to wind up 17 points ahead of Tyson Turnbull. Les McLenehan (365) was third and Joey Galloway (347) was fourth. The hobby stock class saw Landon Runge finish with 408 points, two more than 2020 champ Connor Hansen’s 406. Kaiden Tuchscherer was third with 405, and Dexter Saxon came in
fourth with 394. Gregg Mann won the stock car class with 423 points, two more than Chris Hortness, who won the championship last year. Devon Gonas (390) came in third and Chase Davison (381) was fourth. Also decided by two points was the sport mod class, with Leevi Runge taking that division for the second straight year. He finished with 412 points, ahead of Kyle Scholpp’s 410. Keenan Glasser was third with 396 and Justin Fichter came in fourth with 366. In the slingshot class, Ryder Raynard won the title for the fourth straight year with 438 points, 10 more than Cash Saxon’s 428. Raynard and Saxon combined to win all the feature races this season. Jagger Ashworth was third with 386 points and Eli Turnbull
was fourth with 383. The weekend was also the annual Dirt Wars at the track, which put a spotlight on the hobby stock class. Hansen was the winner, as he had the most combined points with 77. As for the weekend results, Saturday’s program saw Landon Runge finish first in the hobby stocks, followed by Dexter Saxon, Tuchscherer and Hansen. That gave Landon Runge a comfortable lead atop the hobby stock standings, which he needed because he didn’t finish Sunday’s race. He was classified in 17th, creating some suspense for the track championship. Adding to the suspense was that Hansen and Tuchscherer were first and second, respectively, in the feature, which really narrowed the gap. Kruz Wilson was third and Kayden Hjorteland fin-
ished fourth. Ryder Raynard was the winner in the slingshot feature on both days, and Cash Saxon came second. Dane Skjersal was third and Jace Emmel was fourth on Saturday. Sierra Staff was third and Eli Turnbull was fourth. Brandon Rehill won the sport mod class on Friday night, followed by Kyle Scholpp in second, Rylan Raynard in third and Ryan Cousins in fourth. Rylan Raynard won his first sport mod feature on Sunday, with Ryan Cousins second, Bailey Cousins third and Kyle Scholpp fourth. Leevi Runge was seventh, but it was enough to claim the season title. In the stock car class, Austin Daae was the victor Saturday night, his third win in five feature races this season. Jeremy Swanson was second, Hortness was third and Mann came in fourth. Swanson took the checkered flag for Sunday’s feature, one spot ahead of Hortness. Mann was third to clinch the championship, and Daae came in fourth. Tyler Wagner won the modified feature on Saturday, finishing ahead of Kody Scholpp in second, Joey Galloway in third and Les McLenehan in fourth. Aaron Turnbull won the feature on Sunday, ahead of Scholpp. Wagner was third and Joey Galloway was fourth.