Huskies women's track and field team sets new conference standard
History was made by the University of Saskatchewan women's track and field team.
The Huskies on the weekend set a new Canada West standard by winning their sixth-straight conference title, breaking the team's own previous mark of five straight, set from 1997 to 2001.
At this year's event in Edmonton, the women's team earned 206.5 points to capture the banner, while the men's team finished in fifth with 73 points.
Overall, the Huskies earned 19 medals: eight gold, six silver and five bronze.
Avery Pearson captured individual gold in the women's 600-metre and 1,000-m races, while also claiming gold in the women's 4x400 and 4x800 relays
Paige Willems won gold in the 4x400 and 4x200 relays, as well as the women's 300 m.
Saskatchewan's two other gold medals were won by Olamide Olaloku in the women's triple jump, and by Jake Neufeld in the men's heptathlon.
Canada West awards were also handed out at the event, with Saskatchewan's Karlyn Wells named female assistant coach of the year, and Jason Reindl taking home women's team coach of the year honours.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
While the Huskies men's basketball squad was eliminated in the play-in round of the Canada West championship tournament, two members of the squad received individual accolades.
Alexander Dewar received the Student-athlete Community Service Award and was named to the Canwest third team. Easton Thimm was named conference rookie of the year and also selected to the all-rookie team.
Thimm, a six-foot-nine, 225-pound forward out of Holy Cross High School, was the team's second-leading scorer at 9.4 points per game and top rebounder at 8.2 boards per game in his first year.
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Despite starting out strong in both of their Canada West best-ofthree quarterfinal games against the UBC Thunderbirds on the weekend, the Huskies' season has come to an end.
On Saturday, the Dogs fell 3-1 (23-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-20) to UBC. Emmett Graham had 14 kills to lead the Huskies.
On Friday, Saskatchewan dropped a 3-2 (27-29, 21-25, 2514, 25-23, 15-8) heartbreaker after winning the first two sets. Graham and Isaiah Mamer led the U of S with 17 kills each.
HOCKEY
Both Huskies hockey teams have been eliminated from Canada West playoffs, but players from each squad were named conference all-stars last week.
On the women's side, goaltender Camryn Drever made the first team, while forward Sophie Lalor made the second team. For the men, forward Chantz Petruic was named to the first team, with defenceman Landon Kosior making the rookie team.
The women's team will be back in action March 14-17 as they host and take part in the U Sports championship.
BLADES WINNING STREAK SNAPPED
For the first time since Jan. 26, the Saskatoon Blades came up short on the scoresheet, dropping a 4-1 decision at Sasktel Centre to the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday in Western Hockey League action.
After a scoreless first period, Brandon picked up two goals in the second period. Saskatoon's Egor Sidirov cut the lead to 2-1 with less than five minutes remaining in the third, but Brandon scored two empty netters to seal the victory.
Saskatoon (42-10-2-3) returns to action on Feb. 27, hosting the Red Deer Rebels.
RUSH DECIMATED BY THUNDERBIRDS
The Halifax Thunderbirds had little mercy for the host Saskatchewan Rush on Saturday night, defeating the home team 19-6 at Sasktel Centre.
Clark Walter had two goals for the Rush, while teammate Robert Church added four assists.
The Rush, who are now 11th in the National Lacrosse League standings, will next face the host Colorado Mammoth on March 2.