HUMBOLDT — Here are the top 10 sport stories of the year covered in the Humboldt Journal.
Sports Returns
After many months – or even longer for some – away due to the COVID-19 pandemic, athletes were back on the field of play. The Humboldt Broncos galloped out of the gate to post one of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s best records before the Christmas break. The Humboldt Collegiate Institute football team played its 50th season.
Hofmann Wins
Muenster’s Logan Hofmann capped his successful rookie professional baseball league season in style by helping the Bradenton (Fla.) Marauders win the first-ever Low-A Southeast League championship series. The right-handed hurler appeared in 22 games for the Bradenton with 13 starts. He threw 82.2 innings with 103 strikeouts and only 33 walks.
Muyres Gets Bronze
St. Gregor product Kirk Muyres helped the Matt Dunstone rink finish third at the Tim Hortons Brier in the Calgary bubble. The Saskatchewan rink went 9-3 in the round robin. Their Brier came to an end on a game-winning angle raise by Alberta skip – and eventual Brier champ – Brendan Bottcher in a 6-5 loss.
Crozon Makes History
As an assistant coach for the Saskatchewan Rattlers, Paige Crozon became the first female coach of a men’s professional team in Saskatchewan history. It was one of the many roles the Humboldt product held in 2021. Some others for the former NCAA Division I student-athlete were University of Lethbridge assistant women’s basketball coach, Team Canada 3x3 basketball player, Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League manager, and mom.
Wasserman Honoured
Humboldt product Jacob Wasserman was named Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada’s Adaptive Top Athlete of the Year. A survivor the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash, Wasserman has quickly established himself on the national team.
Muenster Baseball Wins Again
Playing at home, the Muenster 13U Tier 1 Red Sox won the provincial championship with a 4-0 victory over the Prince Albert Royals. The core of the 13U Red Sox won provincial titles in 2018 (11U AA Tier 4) and 2019 (11U AA Tier1). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Saskatchewan did not hold provincials in 2020.
Muenster Netters Win Gold
The Muenster School senior boys volleyball team persevered and succeeded with an all-around team effort as it claimed the program’s first provincial title. In the finals, Muenster lost the first set but bounced back to win the next two against No. 1 ranked Rouleau to claim 1A gold.
Dodgers Claim Gold in Debut
In the first season of the program, the 15U AAA East Central Dodgers won provincial gold. The team brought together players from Humboldt, Muenster, Bruno, Lanigan, and Lake Lenore. The former foes gelled together and rallied in the final inning to win a provincial title. They also earned the Saskatoon 15U AAA Baseball League championship.
Gardiner Recognized
Humboldt’s Shaun Gardiner was honoured this year with a prestigious Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association Service Award for the Horizon Central Athletic Association. It recognizes his long-term leadership and support in the promotion of high school athletics. Gardiner has long been involved with the HCI football team and also has coached various other school and community sports.
Hilltops Win Again
Some local players helped the Saskatoon Hilltops win its seventh consecutive Prairie Football Conference title. After dropping two straight games to the Regina Thunder, the Hilltops got rolling and avenged those losses in the PFC finals. The team saw its season end in the national semifinals after winning six straight Canadian Bowls. The Hilltops roster this season included former HCI players Jared Giddings, Ethan Paslowski and Teijon Abel-Douglas.
