Saskatoon’s Newkirk sets world record in pool at Canadian Open

Saskatoon’s Shelby Newkirk set a world record in the S7 100-metre backstroke at the para-swimming Canadian Open in Toronto on Tuesday.

Her time of 1:21.43 broke German Kirsten Bruhn’s world record.

“It’s great to see a rookie step up, stand out and set a new world record,” said James Hood, Swimming Canada’s senior manager of high performance para-swimming programs, in a release.

“Shelby has come a long way in her programming, from two to three years ago, the work she’s done in Manitoba with Karen Williams and moving to Saskatoon to work with Eric Kramer.”

Newkirk, a Saskatoon Laser Swim Club member, is in her first year on the national team. She won four gold medals at this year’s Canada Summer Games and was the flag bearer for Saskatchewan.

A pair of clean sheets for Huskies men’s soccer goaltender Patrick Pranger earned him Canada West athlete of the week honours on Tuesday and the U-Sports national athlete of the week award on Wednesday.

Pranger made 10 saves without allowing a goal in two games last weekend and increased his season total to five shutouts.

Seven Saskatoon Blades prospects

have been chosen to represent their province at the 2017 WHL Cup, formerly known as the Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup.

Blades’ prospects representing Saskatchewan include Alex Ozar and Anthony Toporowski. Team B.C. will feature goaltender Koen MacInnes, fifth overall pick Aidan De La Gorendiere on defence and forward Kalen Szeto. Defenceman Kyle Lamoureux is the lone representative from Manitoba while 2017 10th overall pick Kyle Crnkovic suits up for Alberta. The seven prospects are the most from any WHL team at this year’s WHL Cup.