Amateur

Amateur

DAVE LARKINS / WESMEN ATHLETICS Winnipeg Wesmen guard Kato Jaro (left) drives the ball against University of South Dakota defenders last week in pre-season action.

Men’s Wesmen basketball bench boss scouts fresh crop’s depth in pre-season series

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read 3:01 PM CDT

Mike Raimbault didn’t take much time to bask in the triumph. His attention has already turned to a more elusive feat.

An admittedly tired Raimbault was back on the sideline last week, this time at his primary post as head coach of the Winnipeg Wesmen men’s basketball team, just days after guiding the Winnipeg Sea Bears to the franchise’s first Canadian Elite Basketball League championship.

A title in the professional ranks was well-earned, and while there will be a time to soak up his special summer, a new campaign awaits.

“It’s nice to get some time together before school starts. It’s a sort of a litmus test of where you’re at and what you need to do,” Raimbault said after the second of a two-game pre-season series against the University of South Dakota.

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Amateur

Before finishing second, Evan Nachtigall was aiming to become the first Manitoban to win the national title since Todd Fanning in 2017.

Brandon’s Nachtigall comes up short of Canadian Mid-Am title

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Brandon’s Nachtigall comes up short of Canadian Mid-Am title

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

Evan Nachtigall was about 12-feet away from making history.

But a slippery downhill birdie putt for the win on Friday afternoon in Ontario proved to be a bit too aggressive, leaving the 25-year-old Brandon golfer with a nervy comeback attempt that ultimately fell painfully short.

The resulting bogey, on the 72nd and final hole of play at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, left him one shot behind playing partner Garrett Rank, who tapped in his par to claim victory.

“It kind of stings,” Nachtigall told the Free Press shortly after finishing up at the Brantford Golf & Country Club. “At the end of the day, second place in my first time playing this event and losing to a guy who’s now won it four times, I guess I’ll have to take it.”

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Friday, Aug. 21, 2026

Amateur

Thomas Friesen / BRANDON SUN FILES Evan Nachtigall sits alone on top of the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur championship at 17-under through 54 holes Thursday. The Brandon product would be the first Manitoban to win the national title since Todd Fanning in 2017.

Nachtigall top of the pack heading into Canadian Mid-Am final

Mike McIntyre 4 minute read Preview

Nachtigall top of the pack heading into Canadian Mid-Am final

Mike McIntyre 4 minute read Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

Evan Nachtigall is trying not to get ahead of himself. But you’ll forgive the young Manitoba golfer for pondering the “what if” as he stands on the cusp of a career milestone.

Nachtigall, 25, sits alone on top of the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur championship through 54 holes. He is 17-under par and carries a two-shot lead into Friday’s final round at the Brantford Golf & Country Club in Ontario.

“It would be incredible, but there is a lot of golf left to go so I won’t be thinking too much about that until hopefully the final putt drops,” Nachtigall told reporters on scene Thursday.

The Brandon product is aiming to become the first Manitoban to win the national title since Todd Fanning did so in 2017, winning a playoff over Ontario’s Garrett Rank.

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Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

Bomber Report

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers linerbacker Tony Jones (right) sacks then Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford last season. Jones knows Friday night’s game in Commonwealth Stadium will be a much harder test than recent year’s for Winnipeg.

Edmonton not the same old Elks as Bombers get ready for road clash

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Edmonton not the same old Elks as Bombers get ready for road clash

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026

Edmonton’s CFL team has been a complete, utter mess for the majority of the past decade.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers took full advantage of their once-prominent West Division foe falling on hard times by shellacking them time and time again.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we?

The Blue and Gold defeated the Elks three times in a span of five weeks in 2021 — including a 30-3 beatdown on Chancellor Matheson Road on Oct. 8.

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Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026

Amateur

BOB POOLE / GOLF MANITOBA Manitoba senior men’s champion Todd Fanning will tee it up in the nationals at his home course in early September.

Winning never gets old

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Winning never gets old

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 29, 2026

Todd Fanning is among the most decorated golfers in Manitoba history.

But a second straight senior men’s championship — captured Wednesday at Breezy Bend — was especially sweet.

That’s because it opens the door for him to represent the province at the Canadian senior men’s championship, which just so happens to be set for his sporting backyard at Niakwa in early September.

“This tournament was really important for me. Not only defending, but to try and get on the team and try to represent our home course,” Fanning told the Free Press.

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Wednesday, Jul. 29, 2026

Amateur

Thomas Friesen / BRANDON SUN FILES Evan Nachtigall carded a four-under 68 in his opening round and then did one better later in the day to set himself up well for the final round.

Elmhurst golfer carries three stroke lead into final round of Mid-Am

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Elmhurst golfer carries three stroke lead into final round of Mid-Am

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 21, 2026

Evan Nachtigall wouldn’t call it a perfect day of golf, but it was pretty darn close for the Elmhurst member.

The 25-year-old holds the solo lead at 9-under par in the provincial Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship after a 36-hole opening day at Quarry Oaks in Steinbach on Tuesday.

Nachtigall, the reigning Men’s Golfer of the Year, carded a four-under 68 on his opening 18 on the strength of four birdies and an eagle, then did one better on his second time out, firing a bogey-free five-under 67 in gusty conditions.

“It’s been a good day,” said Nachtigall, who won the 2025 Men’s Amateur Championship. “I feel like I really stayed patient out there. Definitely frustrated on the greens, for sure. I felt like I probably had at least 20 good looks at birdie out there today, and I’m just burning edges. But at the end of the day, nine-under through two rounds, I’ll take it.”

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Tuesday, Jul. 21, 2026

Amateur

Joey Senft Photo The Super-Spike volleyball tournament returns for its 24th year on Friday with over 400 teams and 3,100-plus volleyballers set to participate.

Bump… Set… Super-Spike!

Grace Penner 5 minute read Preview

Bump… Set… Super-Spike!

Grace Penner 5 minute read Thursday, Jul. 16, 2026

It’s that time of the year again for Manitobans to participate in an iconic summertime event. Super-Spike is back and better than ever with a whopping 3,100-plus players — the most the event has had since 2017.

Taking place at Maple Grove Rugby Park this upcoming weekend from July 17-18, volleyball players of all levels of experience will be bumping at the outdoor courts in hopes of dusting off their skills or to simply have a little fun in the sand.

Greg Paseshnik, the events general manager, could not be more excited for this years tourney.

“Super-Spike is in year 24 now which is hard to believe,” Paseshnik said. “I still think it’s one of Winnipeg’s best kept secrets.”

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Thursday, Jul. 16, 2026

Amateur

Thomas Friesen / Brandon Sun Rory Neill shot 73 on Tuesday to stay in the lead heading into the final round of the Golf Manitoba men’s amateur at St. Boniface Golf Club.

Bisons’ Neill carries lead into final round of men’s amateur

Joshua Frey-Sam 3 minute read Preview

Bisons’ Neill carries lead into final round of men’s amateur

Joshua Frey-Sam 3 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 14, 2026

RORY Neill woke up Tuesday with a share of the lead in the 115th edition of the Golf Manitoba men’s amateur championship.

He went to bed with the solo lead.

The Glendale member rests at 2-under for the 54-hole event and will take a one-stroke advantage into Wednesday’s final round at St. Boniface Golf Club after firing a one-over 73 on Tuesday.

The University of Manitoba Bisons’ golfer got out of the gates much slower than he did in Monday’s opening round, bogeying four of his first six holes, but stuck with it, finding birdies on four of the last 10 holes to salvage his round.

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Tuesday, Jul. 14, 2026

Amateur

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS St. Charles Country Club’s Camryn Thomas took the lead after Round 2 of the Junior Championships at Pine Ridge on Wednesday.

‘Taking everything one shot at a time’

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

‘Taking everything one shot at a time’

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 8, 2026

This week has been both a marathon and a sprint for Camryn Thomas and Jewel Lafleche.

Eighteen holes in the rain-delayed and re-scheduled Manitoba Women’s Amateur on Sunday. A gruelling 38 more on Monday — two rounds plus a pair of playoff holes to decide the third and final spot on the provincial team, which was ultimately claimed by Lafleche.

Then another 18 to open the Manitoba Junior on Tuesday, followed by 18 more in Wednesday’s daytime heat.

Now, 92 competitive holes over a 72-hour span later, the finish line is finally in sight. And the race is on to see who crosses it first and captures a championship.

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Wednesday, Jul. 8, 2026

Amateur

Thomas Friesen / Brandon Sun files Brandon’s Hunter Oakden is just two shots behind current leader Adam Blair after the first round at the Manitoba Junior Championship.

Race to crown new champs tees off at Pine Ridge

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Race to crown new champs tees off at Pine Ridge

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 7, 2026

Adam Blair hopes he’s saved his best for last.

The Elmhurst golfer is teeing it up this week in the Manitoba Junior Championship for the sixth and final time. His top finish came in 2024, when he placed eighth, and the 18-year-old is on the cusp of aging out of the event after graduating from Vincent Massey Collegiate last month. He’s headed to Kentucky State University on a golf scholarship this fall.

A provincial title would be quite the parting gift, don’t you think?

“It would be pretty awesome,” Blair told the Free Press with a big smile.

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Tuesday, Jul. 7, 2026

NHL

Cassidy Dankochik / THE CARILLON FILES An invitation to the Winnipeg Jets development camp reinforces Adam Vigfusson’s (15) belief that there is more than one path to developing as a player.

Vigfusson vying to impress at Jets development camp

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Vigfusson vying to impress at Jets development camp

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2026

You’ll forgive Adam Vigfusson for having a bit of a “kid in a candy store” mentality these days.

The 20-year-old Gimli product is truly living his best life, fresh off winning a Manitoba Junior Hockey League title, a Centennial Cup championship, Most Valuable Player honours at the national tournament and earning a scholarship to St. Cloud State University that begins this fall.

This week, you’ll find him at Hockey For All Centre, skating alongside the likes of Viggo Bjorck, Brayden Yager, Colby Barlow and the other top prospects in the Winnipeg Jets organization. Vigfusson could hardly believe it when the Jets recently extended an invitation to their annual rookie development camp.

“I got the call asking if I wanted to come and it was like, ‘Oh my goodness, that’s something I never thought would happen.’ Just super excited to be here,” Vigfusson told the Free Press following Tuesday’s skate.

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Tuesday, Jun. 30, 2026

Amateur

SUPPLIED Steve Bradley with a nice late season muskellunge. Species of considerable length, like pike, muskies and large lake trout must be held horizontally across the front of the subject or seated and supported by the angler’s legs.

Fish handling tips for fishes’ welfare and better photos

Patrick Nolan 6 minute read Preview

Fish handling tips for fishes’ welfare and better photos

Patrick Nolan 6 minute read Friday, Jun. 26, 2026

Most of us who spend any appreciable time fishing have encountered those special moments when we want to capture a photograph of the catch that has just made it into the boat.

Numerous circumstances might be driving our desire to get that photo: a neophyte’s first fish, an exceptional catch, the so called “fish of a lifetime,” or any number of other factors that really can be determined only by the angler and the photographer.

Regrettably, many of us have also experienced varying levels of satisfaction with the images captured after we have released the fish to swim free, leaving the angler wishing for more, at which time it’s too late.

The good news is that with a little bit of forethought and planning, we can consistently take great photos of the fish we catch — with the fishes’ welfare of utmost interest, of course.

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Friday, Jun. 26, 2026

Amateur

SUPPLIED Divers Alex Tiaglei (left) and Braden Rumpit hit the road in their modified bus on a mission to cliff dive in all 50 United States in 50 days.

Taking the leap

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Taking the leap

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Friday, Jun. 26, 2026

Two months ago, Winnipeg high-diver Alex Tiaglei received a call that he could’ve easily confused for a belated April Fool’s joke.

On the other end was his American-born friend Braden Rumpit, whom Tiaglei had dove against at several competitions around the world.

Rumpit gave it to him straight: he planned to do a cliff dive in all 50 United States in 50 days, and he wanted Tiaglei to do it with him.

“I mean, at first I thought he was kind of crazy,” said Tiaglei. “But then I started thinking about it, and the pieces were definitely falling together pretty well.”

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Friday, Jun. 26, 2026

Amateur

Golf Manitoba Photo St. Charles Country Club’s Camryn Thomas finished fifth this past weekend in the Junior Girls category at the NextGen Prairie Championship.

Manitobans crushing the links: Bevy of Top-10 finishes for local golfers this past weekend

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Manitobans crushing the links: Bevy of Top-10 finishes for local golfers this past weekend

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Monday, Jun. 22, 2026

When it comes to the future of Manitoba golf, it would appear the kids are alright.

A trio of young provincial players earned Top 10 honours this past weekend at the NextGen Prairie Championship which was held at the Neepawa Golf & Country Club.

Leading the way was 16-year-old Camryn Thomas, who finished fifth in the Junior Girls category after rounds of 79, 76 and 81. That left her 10 shots back of B.C.’s Serin Girard, who edged out Saskatchewan’s Grace Odnokon in a playoff.

Alberta’s Raylee Denton finished third, while Ontario’s Vivian Liu was fourth.

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Monday, Jun. 22, 2026

Amateur

International Skating Union Photo Winnipeggers Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov will make their senior-level Grand Prix debut in October.

Winnipeg pair skaters among world’s rising stars

Laurie Nealin 6 minute read Preview

Winnipeg pair skaters among world’s rising stars

Laurie Nealin 6 minute read Monday, Jun. 22, 2026

When the International Skating Union announced its 2026 Grand Prix of Figure Skating entry lists last week, it described the global series as “world-class competition featuring many of the sport’s biggest names alongside a new generation of rising stars.”

Winnipeggers Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov, who graduated from the junior ranks as the 2026 world pair champions, are among those rising stars. Their senior-level Grand Prix debut will mark the official start to their four-year build towards the 2030 Olympic Winter Games.

Kemp, who turns 18 on Wednesday, and Elizarov, 22, will open at Skate Canada International in Kelowna, B.C., at the end of October, the second of six events on the circuit. Their teammates, world bronze medallists and Canadian champions Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, are the top seeds in that event.

Two weeks later, the Winnipeg duo is slated to compete at Skate America in Washington state alongside Germany’s world champions and Olympic bronze medallists Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin.

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Monday, Jun. 22, 2026

Amateur

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Sport Manitoba’s new president and CEO Evan Andrew will focus on helping members grow their sports in a safe and inclusive way.

Sports Manitoba’s new president and CEO a team player

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Sports Manitoba’s new president and CEO a team player

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Thursday, Jun. 18, 2026

It was less than a decade ago when Evan Andrew was the “new guy” sitting at a small desk on the fifth floor of the Sport Manitoba building after landing a role with the 2017 Canada Games Host Society.

“I didn’t really know anyone at Sport Manitoba at all. I was out there, plugging away in one of those cubicles and people would be like ‘Hey, who are you?’” said Andrew with a laugh in a sit-down interview with the Free Press on Thursday.

“I would say they took a bit of a chance on me, for sure. I was the director of marketing and sponsorship for the Canada Games, and I hadn’t necessarily managed a bunch of people so I think they took a chance, but in the end, it was a very successful Canada Games and the areas I oversaw, we achieved, or even overachieved, in some of those areas around revenue generation.”

With the Games in the rear-view mirror, Andrew was hired as Sport Manitoba’s new director of marketing. He worked his way up to become director of business operations before recently earning the ultimate promotion: Sport Manitoba president and CEO.

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Thursday, Jun. 18, 2026

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