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JAMES CAREY LAUDER PHOTO Marissa Naylor-McCall was part of the Canadian record-setting 2023 worlds which saw every bowler on Team Canada bring home a medal.

Manitobans eager to strike gold on world stage

Ben Little 5 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Already making history earlier this year when she became the first woman to win the Marinelli City Singles bowling tournament, Marissa Naylor-McCall is now bolstering her training routine as she prepares to represent Team Canada at the 2025 International Bowling Federation World Championships.

Naylor-McCall is one of two Manitobans representing Canada at the adult level, alongside Mitch Hupé. Both bowlers attended the last world championships in Kuwait in 2023, where every Team Canada bowler brought home a medal.

“It was a record year for Canada… we all brought home a medal which hasn’t happened in many years,” said Naylor-McCall.

This is Naylor-McCall’s fourth year representing Team Canada as an adult, and her second World Championships tournament. She spoke highly of her teammate Hupé — a three-time National Bowler of the Year — who returns for his 12th adult year.

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‘Just keeping things simple and not overthinking it’

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

‘Just keeping things simple and not overthinking it’

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

The Manitoba Bisons are in the middle of the chase for a Canada West playoff spot, but might be without their quarterback for the second week in a row.

Jackson Tachinski’s status is up in the air for Saturday’s home contest against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds at Princess Auto Stadium (12 p.m.).

Tachinski, who did not return to the field after halftime of the Bisons’ Sept. 20 game against the Alberta Golden Bears, missed last week against the Regina Rams.

The star fifth-year pivot practised this week, but head coach Stan Pierre could not say how confident he is that Tachinski will start.

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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES

Manitoba Bisons quarterback Jackson Tachinski (centre) didn’t return to the Sept. 20 game against the Alberta Golden Bears. Backup pivot Cole Anseeuw might be tasked with a second start this Saturday.

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Bisons quarterback Jackson Tachinski (centre) didn’t return to the Sept. 20 game against the Alberta Golden Bears. Backup pivot Cole Anseeuw might be tasked with a second start this Saturday.

Thunderbirds finally have a home court advantage

Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Preview

Thunderbirds finally have a home court advantage

Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2025

The court is far from the Field of Dreams, but it’s a court that kept dreams alive.

When Ebb and Flow First Nation started a complete renovation of its school a couple of years ago, it left the Thunderbirds varsity teams without a home gymnasium to train and play in.

But head coach Tyrone Desjarlais was determined to give his athletes the opportunity they’ve worked tirelessly for, so he took matters into his own hands — and his own property.

Desjarlais secured an old volleyball net from the school and pounded wooden posts into the ground, assembling a makeshift grass court to hold practices on in the community located 200 kilometres north of Brandon, due east of Ste. Rose.

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Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2025

Thomas Friesen / The Brandon Sun

From left: Carson Spence, Leyton Racette and Conner Hunter react to a big point against the Carberry Cougars on Friday.
Thomas Friesen / The Brandon Sun From left: Carson Spence, Leyton Racette and Conner Hunter react to a big point against the Carberry Cougars on Friday.

Penner a rising star with the Rifles

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Penner a rising star with the Rifles

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 23, 2025

For Jarome Penner, it was about embracing the good and letting go of the bad.

The Winnipeg Rifles receiver, admittedly, grew up a perfectionist, harping on the things he failed at and not giving himself enough credit for what he did well.

“At the end of the day, sometimes that’s going to haunt you more than it’s going to help you,” Penner said Tuesday.

When he arrived at the Rifles as a highly touted recruit from Sturgeon Heights Collegiate, those traits reared their ugly heads more than once as he acclimated to playing with bigger and stronger players.

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Tuesday, Sep. 23, 2025

Matt Hamilton Photo / Winnipeg Rifles

Winnipeg Rifles receiver Jarome Penner consistently punches well above his weight, racking up a career-high 15 receptions for 221 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s contest against the Regina Thunder.
Matt Hamilton Photo / Winnipeg Rifles Winnipeg Rifles receiver Jarome Penner consistently punches well above his weight, racking up a career-high 15 receptions for 221 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s contest against the Regina Thunder.

Bisons trample Golden Bears in blowout victory

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Bisons trample Golden Bears in blowout victory

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Monday, Sep. 22, 2025

The Manitoba Bisons ran the Alberta Golden Bears out of town Saturday.

The U of M’s football team rushed for 315 yards in a 34-7 beatdown over Alberta at Princess Auto Stadium in their annual homecoming game.

The win improved the Herd to 2-2 on the year, while the Bears remain winless at 0-4.

“It’s a special feeling to control the ground game like that,” said Bisons centre Mark Rauhaus. “That was kind of an identity game for our group. The guys around me and our running backs played really well. It was a big confidence building game.”

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Monday, Sep. 22, 2025

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS

Bisons running back Breydon Stubbs, carried the ball 21 times for 129 yards Saturday against the U of A.
BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Bisons running back Breydon Stubbs, carried the ball 21 times for 129 yards Saturday against the U of A.

Stonewall native adds NHL to her long list of officiating milestones

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Stonewall native adds NHL to her long list of officiating milestones

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Friday, Sep. 19, 2025

Talk about a “Welcome to the Big Leagues” moment.

Amy Martin, a 30-year-old referee from Manitoba, got one last weekend in Montreal. Invited to help officiate the NHL prospect challenge tournament featuring young stars from four teams, her very first assignment came under the bright lights of the Bell Centre in a clash between the hometown Canadiens versus the Winnipeg Jets.

It didn’t take long before roughly 20,000 fans were chanting “ref you suck” in her direction after what they perceived as a missed infraction.

Offended? Not at all. For Martin, it was a badge of honour.

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Friday, Sep. 19, 2025

ICE WAVE MEDIA PHOTO

Stonewall’s Amy Martin suited up for her first NHL assignment last weekend in Montreal, reffing two Winnipeg Jets games at the prospects tournament.
ICE WAVE MEDIA PHOTO Stonewall’s Amy Martin suited up for her first NHL assignment last weekend in Montreal, reffing two Winnipeg Jets games at the prospects tournament.

Homecoming for Fust

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Homecoming for Fust

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

It was Christmas break of 2024 when Kyu Fust found herself in a familiar setting, wrestling with an unfamiliar feeling.

Fust, who was Manitoba’s top-ranked high school women’s basketball recruit in 2023, had returned home to play in the annual Wesmen Classic at the University of Winnipeg’s Duckworth Centre. While sitting in the stands, it fully sank in that she no longer loved the game.

The feeling had been percolating for a while during her second year at the University of Regina, as she grew unhappy with her fit within the Cougars program, and her enjoyment on the court began to fade.

Fust tried working with mental performance coach Jon Giesbrecht in the second semester, but that didn’t move the needle. After the season, she distanced herself from coaches and several teammates and hardly touched a basketball or stepped on the court.

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Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

Kyu Fust has joined the University of Manitoba Bisons women’s basketball team after transferring from the University of Regina Cougars program.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Kyu Fust has joined the University of Manitoba Bisons women’s basketball team after transferring from the University of Regina Cougars program.

Colliton bringing consistency behind the bench

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Colliton bringing consistency behind the bench

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2025

Jordan Colliton has a history of elevating women’s hockey programs to new heights.

She did it with the Mount Royal University Cougars from 2015-22, first as an assistant head coach and then as associate head coach, guiding a team that was new to U Sports competition to perennial national championship contention.

The Blackie, Alta., product did it more recently across the pond, where she helped Leksands IF of the Swedish Women’s Hockey League to its best regular season finish in five years and first playoff win in eight years.

Now Colliton will try again with the University of Manitoba Bisons, a group that is starving for stability and looking to build on last season, which included its first playoff series win in six years.

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Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

The University of Manitoba Bisons new women’s hockey head coach Jordan Colliton at team practice at the Wayne Fleming Arena on Wednesday.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS The University of Manitoba Bisons new women’s hockey head coach Jordan Colliton at team practice at the Wayne Fleming Arena on Wednesday.

Bisons back in business

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Bisons back in business

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Monday, Sep. 15, 2025

Stan Pierre found the right buttons to push at the half.

With the Manitoba Bisons trailing 17-0 at home against the Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday, the first-year head coach delivered a message that got his troops to wake up.

“Coach P really lit a fire under us. He mentioned he hadn’t seen any Bisons team get that out-physicaled in years,” said fourth-year receiver Nathan Udoh.

“Credit to Sask for that, but we’re a competitive group. There was no way we were gonna stand for that.”

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Monday, Sep. 15, 2025

ZACH PETERS PHOTO / U OF M BISONS ATHLETICS

University of Manitoba Bisons receiver Nathan Udoh (10) racked up 158 receiving yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s win over the Saskatchewan Huskies.
ZACH PETERS PHOTO / U OF M BISONS ATHLETICS University of Manitoba Bisons receiver Nathan Udoh (10) racked up 158 receiving yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s win over the Saskatchewan Huskies.

Banfield brothers bring double-barrel noise to Rifles

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Banfield brothers bring double-barrel noise to Rifles

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Friday, Sep. 12, 2025

Kaiden and Kyler Banfield have been trying to outdo one another for 22 years.

In sports, and in more recent years the weight room, it’s only natural for the Portage la Prairie-born twins to push each other every day. That healthy competition has bred two football players who are both currently at the top of their respective games.

The twin stars of the Winnipeg Rifles have taken the Canadian Junior Football League by storm this season.

Kaiden, a running back, is the focal point of the Rifles’ offence, while Kyler, a linebacker, is the heartbeat of the defence.

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Friday, Sep. 12, 2025

BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Rifles running back Kaiden Banfield carries the football during the team’s practice at Maple Grove Rugby Park in Winnipeg.
BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Rifles running back Kaiden Banfield carries the football during the team’s practice at Maple Grove Rugby Park in Winnipeg.

Kemp and Elizarov intend to keep the party going

Laurie Nealin 5 minute read Preview

Kemp and Elizarov intend to keep the party going

Laurie Nealin 5 minute read Friday, Sep. 12, 2025

On a 10-point scale, just how excited are ascending pairs skaters Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov as they contemplate what lies ahead this Olympic season?

“Ten,” Elizarov said without hesitation. “I’m very excited. I think it’s going to be a good season.”

Kemp concurred.

“Yeah, I would say 10. Last season showed us when we sat and watched others compete, we were eager to compete and wanted to, but couldn’t,” she said, referring to her back injury that sidelined the pair for several months last fall before they rebounded to claim their second Canadian junior title.

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Friday, Sep. 12, 2025

Danielle Earl / Skate Canada

It’s the third time in four seasons that Winnipeg duo Ava Kemp (right) and Yohnatan Elizarov have qualified for the final as one of the six top-ranked junior pairs in the world.
Danielle Earl / Skate Canada It’s the third time in four seasons that Winnipeg duo Ava Kemp (right) and Yohnatan Elizarov have qualified for the final as one of the six top-ranked junior pairs in the world.

Making his Mark

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Making his Mark

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Thursday, Sep. 11, 2025

Three years ago, long before he was anointed head coach of the University of Manitoba Bisons women’s soccer team, Mark Colvin was in Sweden, hastily figuring out how to pronounce the most basic words of the native tongue to communicate with preteens at a local academy.

The Toronto-born coach had touched down a day earlier with an agreement to be an assistant coach for U13 IF Brommapojkarna for a season while he adjusted to the European country.

When he arrived for the first day of practice, however, Colvin — jet-lagged and all — was informed that the head coach was sick and that he would need to take over as interim.

“I literally, quickly on a piece of paper, scribbled the Swedish words of pass, shoot, left, right, yellow and red, and then went on to the field to coach these young players, who, a lot of them, their English was not good,” Colvin, who holds onto that scrap piece of paper for sentimental reasons, told the Free Press recently.

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Thursday, Sep. 11, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

Mark Colvin was named head coach of the University of Manitoba Bisons women’s soccer team in June, replacing longtime bench boss Vanessa Martinez Lagunas, who had been at the helm for 12 seasons.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Mark Colvin was named head coach of the University of Manitoba Bisons women’s soccer team in June, replacing longtime bench boss Vanessa Martinez Lagunas, who had been at the helm for 12 seasons.

Royals host historic rumble against Pirates

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Royals host historic rumble against Pirates

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2025

In the days and hours leading up to kickoff, head coach Brett Delisle-Boughen harped on one message to his players: what they were doing was unprecedented at Windsor Park Collegiate.

The Royals’ black and purple outfits were already synonymous with several sports across Winnipeg’s high school landscape, but had never been seen on a football field until Tuesday. Indeed, it was a momentous moment when Windsor Park’s junior varsity nines (nine-a-side) team took the gridiron for the first time in school history.

While the Royals were not competitive in their contest against the Grant Park Pirates, many players, coaches and parents celebrated a day that was victorious beyond the standings.

“It was an incredible night,” said Delisle-Boughen. “We just have such a very supportive community here. There’s a great football community in this neighbourhood. The school staff is incredibly involved. So, it was a great kickoff to it.

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Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2025

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS

Windsor Park Collegiate Royals’ Elliot Aguilar (7) runs the ball against the Grant Park Pirates Tuesday in the Royals inaugural game. Head coach Brett Delisle-Boughen already has a succession plan to create a 12-on-12 varsity program next season.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS Windsor Park Collegiate Royals’ Elliot Aguilar (7) runs the ball against the Grant Park Pirates Tuesday in the Royals inaugural game. Head coach Brett Delisle-Boughen already has a succession plan to create a 12-on-12 varsity program next season.

Kemp and Elizarov strike gold in Turkey

Laurie Nealin 4 minute read Preview

Kemp and Elizarov strike gold in Turkey

Laurie Nealin 4 minute read Friday, Aug. 29, 2025

It’s not easy for any Canadian athlete to compete twice in the span of two weeks in two different European countries in jet-lagging time zones that require them to practise and deliver top-notch performances when their body clocks tell them it’s 3 a.m. or 8 a.m. back home.

Yet, Winnipeg figure skaters Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov overcame those challenges to pocket their second pairs gold medal on Friday in Turkey, one week after winning their first on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit in Latvia.

With two decisive wins, they qualified for the exclusive Junior Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan in December which is limited to the top six couples in the world.

In addition to the hardware, Kemp, 17, and Elizarov, 21, return to their training site in Toronto with US$6,000 in prize money. The cash will come in handy considering annual costs for elite-level figure skaters run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

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Friday, Aug. 29, 2025

SKATE CANADA INSTAGRAM

Winnipeg’s Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov captured gold in Ankara, Turkey, at the ISU Junior Grand Prix. From left: pairs skating coach Kevin Dawe, pairs skaters Ava Kemp, Yohnatan Elizarov.
SKATE CANADA INSTAGRAM Winnipeg’s Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov captured gold in Ankara, Turkey, at the ISU Junior Grand Prix. From left: pairs skating coach Kevin Dawe, pairs skaters Ava Kemp, Yohnatan Elizarov.

Howes set to return from ankle injury while Kemp, Elizarov battle for Oly roster spot

Howes set to return from ankle injury while Kemp, Elizarov battle for Oly roster spot 5 minute read Preview

Howes set to return from ankle injury while Kemp, Elizarov battle for Oly roster spot

Howes set to return from ankle injury while Kemp, Elizarov battle for Oly roster spot 5 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025

Winnipeg figure skater David Howes is building back from an ankle injury that foiled his summer training plan and delayed his senior competition debut, but that hasn’t diminished his excitement about the season ahead.

“Spring of this year, everything was going really well. Then I had a significant ankle injury that took me out for a month, two months,” explained the 2025 national junior men’s bronze medallist.

“I was off (the ice) for all of May and part of June. Since then, we’ve just been working on rebuilding and regaining strength in my ankle.”

Howes, 18, competed earlier this month in the B.C. Summer Skate, finishing third at the junior level with a total score some 20 points shy of his personal best recorded at the nationals qualifier in Winnipeg last December.

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Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025

DANIELLE EARL / SKATE CANADA FILES

Winnipeg pair Ava Kemp (right) and Yohnatan Elizarov are set to join teammate David Howes at the senior level and could be in the conversation to represent Team Canada at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games.
DANIELLE EARL / SKATE CANADA FILES Winnipeg pair Ava Kemp (right) and Yohnatan Elizarov are set to join teammate David Howes at the senior level and could be in the conversation to represent Team Canada at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games.

Lacap golden at pickleball nationals as Winnipegger looks to go pro

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Lacap golden at pickleball nationals as Winnipegger looks to go pro

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Monday, Aug. 25, 2025

Cole Lacap never got a chance to prove he belonged with the best who swing a racket — so he’s trying again, this time with a paddle.

The 27-year-old Winnipegger is pursuing a career in professional pickleball seven years after his dream as a pro tennis player fizzled. Despite his evident talent as a teen, Lacap was squeezed out of tennis as the financial demands of the sport became too much for him and his parents to bear.

Now he’s already making strides in one of North America’s fastest-growing sports.

Lacap struck gold in the men’s singles 4.5 (19-plus) division at the National Pickleball Championships, held at Taylor Tennis Centre over the weekend.

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Monday, Aug. 25, 2025

Earl Masangkay Photo

Cole Lacap won gold in the men’s singles 4.5, 19-plus group at the 2025 Pickleball National Championships at Taylor Tennis Centre on Saturday.
Earl Masangkay Photo Cole Lacap won gold in the men’s singles 4.5, 19-plus group at the 2025 Pickleball National Championships at Taylor Tennis Centre on Saturday.

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