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Ice aiming to be first Winnipeg-based MFHL champs

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Friday, Mar. 24, 2023

The Manitoba Female AAA 18 Hockey League, which played its inaugural season in 2008-09, has never crowned a Winnipeg-based team as its champion.

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After stellar collegiate career and international success, Ashton Bell plans to play professionally

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Preview

After stellar collegiate career and international success, Ashton Bell plans to play professionally

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Friday, Mar. 24, 2023

Deloraine’s Ashton Bell had the golden touch in 2021 and 2022.

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Friday, Mar. 24, 2023

Ashton Bell was the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs’ second-leading scorer in 2022-23, with 12 goals and 33 points in 39 games.

Canada rugby women return to action in Spain

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Canada rugby women return to action in Spain

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Friday, Mar. 24, 2023

Four months after finishing fourth at the Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, Canada returns to action Saturday.

The fourth-ranked Canadians face No. 13 South Africa before opening the Pacific Four Series against the seventh-ranked U.S. on April 1. Both matches will be played at Estadio Nacional de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

The Americans are using a match Saturday against No. 11 Spain to prepare for Canada.

While the Canadian women beat South Africa 53-15 the last time they played, at the 2013 Nations Cup in Colorado, Canada coach Kevin Rouet expects an improved South Africa side given recent investment in the team.

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Friday, Mar. 24, 2023

Four months after finishing fourth at the Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, Canada returns to action Saturday. Team Canada’s Sophie de Goede misses the line-out as Team Italy Elisa Giordano makes the catch during second half test match rugby action at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., on Sunday, July 24, 2022 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Canadians ready for gruelling Boat Race challenge

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 7 minute read Preview

Canadians ready for gruelling Boat Race challenge

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 7 minute read Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023

Canadian Alexander Bebb knows what awaits Sunday when he lines up for Oxford against Cambridge in the 168th edition of the men's Boat Race.

Pain.

"It's almost a war of attrition," said the 25-year-old from Vancouver.

"It's quite gruelling," he added. "From stroke (No.) 10 onward, it's as painful as you can imagine. You just sort of ride that out and hopefully you're in the lead by the end."

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Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023

Cambridge’s Claire Brillon, a 26-year-old from Montreal who learned her rowing at UBC, is one of several Canadians competing in Sunday’s Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race in London. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Cambridge University Boat Club **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Gallery: Manitoba High School 2023 AAAA Provincial Basketball Championship

Photos by John Woods 1 minute read Preview

Gallery: Manitoba High School 2023 AAAA Provincial Basketball Championship

Photos by John Woods 1 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 21, 2023

As the defending provincial AAAA champs, the Dakota Lancers' varsity girls team held onto its title Monday night after a 67-43 victory at Investors Group Athletic Centre against the Garden City Gophers.

In the varsity boys game, the No. 2-seeded St. Paul’s Crusaders captured their second consecutive provincial title with an 86-74 triumph over the unbeaten and top-seeded Sturgeon Heights Huskies before a raucous gathering of about 2,500 fans at IGAC.

Photographer John Woods captured the action at the games.

 

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Tuesday, Mar. 21, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Garden City Gophers’ Leighlynn Greaves (14) defends against Dakota Lancers’ Kyu Fust (9) in the Manitoba High School 2023 AAAA Provincial Basketball Championship at the University of Manitoba Monday.

Lancers repeat as provincial champs

Mike Sawatzky 3 minute read Preview

Lancers repeat as provincial champs

Mike Sawatzky 3 minute read Monday, Mar. 20, 2023

The Dakota Lancers were not accustomed to adversity. The defending provincial AAAA champs hadn’t lost a game on a Manitoba court in more than two years and Monday’s provincial varsity girls basketball final against a pesky Garden City Gophers squad planted a seed of doubt.

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Monday, Mar. 20, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

The Dakota Lancers celebrate their Manitoba High School 2023 AAAA Provincial Basketball Championship win over the Garden City Gophers Monday.

Winnipeg teen holds four national wrestling titles

Joshua Frey-Sam 3 minute read Preview

Winnipeg teen holds four national wrestling titles

Joshua Frey-Sam 3 minute read Monday, Mar. 20, 2023

Connor Church is enjoying a two-year run that’s seen him become one of Canada’s premier young grapplers.

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Monday, Mar. 20, 2023

Bill Bain photo

Connor Church at the 2023 U Sports wrestling championship in Edmonton last month.

Bisons denied bronze

Staff 4 minute read Preview

Bisons denied bronze

Staff 4 minute read Sunday, Mar. 19, 2023

The Manitoba Bisons — who could rightly be called the cardiac kids of the Canada West women’s volleyball — nearly served up another heart-stopping victory Sunday night.

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Sunday, Mar. 19, 2023

RICH LAM / UBC ATHLETICS PHOTO

Bisons' Eve Catojo (23) and Andi Almonte (13) team up to block Dalhousie Tigers' Lucy Glen-Carter (12) during the bronze medal game Sunday at UBC in Vancouver.

UBC Thunderbirds upend Manitoba Bisons in tense semifinal showdown

Staff 2 minute read Preview

UBC Thunderbirds upend Manitoba Bisons in tense semifinal showdown

Staff 2 minute read Sunday, Mar. 19, 2023

The UBC Thunderbirds rallied to upend the Manitoba Bisons 20-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-14 in a tense semifinal showdown at the U Sports Women’s Volleyball Championship in Vancouver Saturday night.

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Sunday, Mar. 19, 2023

The Bisons were led by national rookie of the year Raya Surinx, who had 14 kills and 13 digs. (Brook Jones / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Staff 5 minute read Preview

Staff 5 minute read Sunday, Mar. 19, 2023

winnipeg skater

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Sunday, Mar. 19, 2023

winnipeg skater

No. 6 Bisons shock No. 3 Cougars at volleyball nationals

Staff 1 minute read Preview

No. 6 Bisons shock No. 3 Cougars at volleyball nationals

Staff 1 minute read Saturday, Mar. 18, 2023

National rookie of the year Raya Surinx supplied 21 kills and a career-high eight service aces to lead the Manitoba Bisons to a 24-26, 25-20, 16-25, 25-22, 15-10 quarter-final upset of the No. 3-seeded Mount Royal Cougars at the U Sports women’s volleyball championship in Vancouver Friday night.

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Saturday, Mar. 18, 2023

National rookie of the year Raya Surinx supplied 21 kills and a career-high eight service aces to lead the Manitoba Bisons to a 24-26, 25-20, 16-25, 25-22, 15-10 quarter-final upset of the No. 3-seeded Mount Royal Cougars at the U Sports women’s volleyball championship in Vancouver Friday night.

Lancers steamroll Spartans

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Preview

Lancers steamroll Spartans

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Friday, Mar. 17, 2023

The Dakota Lancers loved winning the provincial AAAA varsity girls basketball championship so much last season they’ve decided to do it all again in 2023.

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Friday, Mar. 17, 2023

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Dakota Lancers’ Izzi Fust shoots against the defence of Sisler Spartan Janelle Olaes Friday during the AAAA provincial high school basketball varsity girls semifinals.

Manitoba nose tackle turning NCAA heads

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Preview

Manitoba nose tackle turning NCAA heads

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Friday, Mar. 17, 2023

When Sean Sevillano Jr. moved from West St. Paul to Florida less than two years ago, he had visions of an NCAA football scholarship in his future.

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Friday, Mar. 17, 2023

supplied

Sean Sevillano Jr. has shown he can play both sides of the ball, filling in at centre at Clearwater Academy International in Florida when called upon.

Canada's Howden takes gold to secure Crystal Globe

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Canada's Howden takes gold to secure Crystal Globe

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Friday, Mar. 17, 2023

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, Ont. - Reece Howden and Brady Leman sat down beside each other in the Craigleith Ski Club's south lodge on Friday to peel off their gear after the penultimate race of the World Cup season.

The Canadian ski cross teammates took a moment to lean back in their chairs and exhale.

Howden was riding high after a victory that gave him the Crystal Globe as overall season leader. Leman, the 2018 Olympic gold medallist, was soaking in the atmosphere at his final event before retirement.

Two champions with different emotions at a World Cup Finals neither will soon forget.

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Friday, Mar. 17, 2023

Canada's Reece Howden celebrates his first place finish following the men's final at the World Cup ski cross event at Nakiska Ski Resort in Kananaskis, Alta., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. Howden led from start to finish to win gold at the skicross World Cup Finals on Friday and secure the crystal globe as the overall season leader. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Passion powers Huskies in victory over Trojans

Joshua Frey-Sam 4 minute read Preview

Passion powers Huskies in victory over Trojans

Joshua Frey-Sam 4 minute read Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

It was a game in which the lead was never more than four points entering the fourth quarter and lived up to the expectations of a final-four matchup. In the end, the Sturgeon Heights Huskies kept their undefeated streak alive.

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Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Sturgeon Heights Huskies Noah Kankam goes for a layup Thursday against the Vincent Massey Trojans at Investors Group Athletic Centre.

Renards reach pinnacle of women’s high school hockey

Joshua Frey-Sam 4 minute read Preview

Renards reach pinnacle of women’s high school hockey

Joshua Frey-Sam 4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023

Equipment littered the ice as a sea of black and orange embraced at Dakota Community Centre. The wait was over, the Centre scolaire Leo-Remillard (CSLR) Renards were champions at last.

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Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Churchill Bulldogs’ Isabela Huculak (left) and Centre scolaire Leo-Remillard Renards’ Chloé Nicholas battle for the puck Wednesday in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the Manitoba Women’s High School Hockey League Division 1 championship at Dakota Community Centre. The Renards prevailed 4-1.

Bisons seeking upsets at national volleyball tourney

Mike Sawatzky 3 minute read Preview

Bisons seeking upsets at national volleyball tourney

Mike Sawatzky 3 minute read Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

The Manitoba Bisons put in an extra effort, winning a five-set Canada West bronze-medal battle with the Winnipeg Wesmen last week to earn their place at the U Sports women’s volleyball national championship.

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Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

“Our philosophy is just to be patient in rallies, and the longer that they go, the more likely we are to win them,” said Manitoba setter Katreena Bentley.

Churchill rebounds to stave off elimination

Joshua Frey-Sam 4 minute read Preview

Churchill rebounds to stave off elimination

Joshua Frey-Sam 4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023

A few minor tweaks produced season-saving results for the Churchill Bulldogs on Tuesday night.

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Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Churchill Bulldogs’ Selene Wozney (left) and Faith Spence (16) celebrate Wozney’s goal Tuesday during playoff action against the CSLR Renards at Dakota Community Centre.

Huskies look to top undefeated season with provincial title

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Huskies look to top undefeated season with provincial title

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

Win together today, walk together forever: it’s a quote Stephen Tackie has reinforced to his varsity boys as they prepare for the biggest moment of their basketball careers.

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Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

Josh Frey-Sam / Winnipeg Free Press

From left: Abby Sweeny (Dakota Lancers), Kyu Fust (Lancers), Luciano Glades (Sturgeon Heights), Noah Kankam (Sturgeon Heights) and Elijah De La Mothe (Sturgeon Heights) are hoping their schools will be AAAA provincial high school champions next week.

Top hoopster getting better all the time

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Preview

Top hoopster getting better all the time

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023

Ramogi Nyagudi is 6-10 and still growing.

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Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

St Paul’s Crusaders forward Ramogi Nyagudi has put a lot of time into eliminating the weaknesses in his game.

Dennis to represent Canada on World Rugby Council

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Dennis to represent Canada on World Rugby Council

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

Rugby Canada board chair Sally Dennis has been appointed Canada’s representative on World Rugby's Council.

Dennis succeeds Dr. Pat Parfrey, who is stepping down after having served as Canada's World Rugby representative since 2015.

Parfrey, 72, has been a major presence in Canadian rugby over the years. A key figure in Newfoundland and Labrador rugby, the kidney specialist and former Irish international previously served as coach of the Canadian men’s rugby team and president of Rugby Canada.

The World Rugby Council is World Rugby’s highest decision-making body, made up of 52 members from 18 countries and six regional governing bodies. It decides such issues as the hosting rights and competition structure for the Rugby World Cup.

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Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

Rugby Canada board chair Sally Dennis, shown in a handout, has been appointed Canada’s representative on World Rugby's Council. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Rugby Canada **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Edwards looking for more with NCAA tourney ahead

Abdulhamid Ibrahim, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Edwards looking for more with NCAA tourney ahead

Abdulhamid Ibrahim, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

Despite a career season flush with recognition, Aaliyah Edwards is looking for more than accolades — she wants the NCAA title that eluded her last season.

UConn’s breakout star forward averaged career highs of 16.6 points and 9.2 rebounds this season while leading the Huskies to a Big East tournament title.

Edwards has already been named Big East Most Improved Player, a unanimous choice for all-Big East first team honours, one of five finalists for the Katrina McClain Award for best power forward and a semifinalist for Naismith Player of the Year.

But last season’s national title loss to South Carolina still sits with the native of Kingston, Ont.

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Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

Despite a career season flush with recognition, Aaliyah Edwards is looking for more than accolades — she wants the NCAA title that eluded her last season.

UConn’s breakout star forward averaged career highs of 16.6 points and 9.2 rebounds this season while leading the Huskies to a Big East tournament title.

Edwards has already been named Big East Most Improved Player, a unanimous choice for all-Big East first team honours, one of five finalists for the Katrina McClain Award for best power forward and a semifinalist for Naismith Player of the Year.

But last season’s national title loss to South Carolina still sits with the native of Kingston, Ont.

Underdog Sabres shock Gophers

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Underdog Sabres shock Gophers

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

It was a brutally physical storybook ending to Steinbach Regional Secondary School’s Cinderella run. The team wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

The Steinbach Regional Secondary School Sabres celebrate Monday after capturing the AAAA Provincial Hockey title.

Dakota’s Fust sisters top high school coaches poll, lead Lancers to provincial tourney

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Preview

Dakota’s Fust sisters top high school coaches poll, lead Lancers to provincial tourney

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

There are the teams lifted up from mediocrity by their star players and then there are the talent-laden clubs that become nearly impossible to beat because of their top guns.

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Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Sisters Izzi (left) and Kyu Fust hope to lead the Dakota Lancers to their second consecutive AAAA provincial high school women’s basketball title.

Lawrence, Bisons shine at national track and field championships

Staff 2 minute read Preview

Lawrence, Bisons shine at national track and field championships

Staff 2 minute read Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

University of Manitoba Bisons student-athlete Madisson Lawrence won a pair of gold medals and was named female athlete of the meet at the 2023 U SPORTS track and field championships in Saskatoon over the weekend.

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Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

JESSICA LEE / FREE PRESS FILES

Madisson Lawrence placed first in the pentathlon Thursday and then leaped to a gold in the high jump Saturday.

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