Hagerty leaps her way to FISU Summer World University Games

Huskie athlete makes quick rise in track and field

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Hannah Hagerty takes to the air during a meet on June 15.

An open mind created new opportunities in track and field for Hannah Hagerty that might not have been envisioned eight or so years ago.

These days the 24-year-old Regina product is a star for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Track and Field Team in the long jump and the 4 X 200-metre relay. Back when she was a Grade 11 student at Regina’s Campbell Collegiate, Hagerty was trying the sport for the first time just for fun participating in high school competitions.

She had taken part in dance for a lengthy stretch of time before testing out her skating stride in ringette. When she finally tried track and field, Hagerty found a space that she felt she belonged in.

“I, obviously, really liked it,” said Hagerty. “Then, I joined a club.

“I joined Excel (in Regina). I did that for two years, and I found a really big passion for it, especially with long jump.”

The 2024-25 campaign was a memorable one for Hagerty. With the Huskies, she claimed the Canada West Conference title in the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.17 metres at the conference championships held February 21 and 22 in Regina.

At that meet, she proceeded to help the Huskies capture gold in the 4 X 200-metre relay in a time of one minute and 39.82 seconds. Hagerty’s performances helped the Huskies Women’s Track and Field Team claim a seventh straight conference title.

She then took part in the U Sports Track and Field Championships that ran March 6 to 8 in Windsor, Ont. Hagerty placed sixth in the long jump with a leap of 5.97 metres and helped the Huskies finish second in the 4 X 200-metre women’s relay with a time of 1:36.67. The Huskies placed third in the women’s team standings at that event.

Thanks to her steady performances, Hagerty will compete in the long jump at the track and field competition that will be part of the FISU Summer World University Games that run July 16 to 27 in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. She will be joined at the World University Games by Huskies women’s teammate Paige Willems (400-metre race), Huskies men’s teammate Jake Neufeld (decathlon) and the head coach of both Huskies Track and Field Teams in Jason Reindl.

Hagerty was pumped to get the chance to head to the World University Games.

Jason Reindl, left, and Hannah Hagerty go over video of a jump.

“That was honestly a dream come true as well,” said Hagerty, who stands 5-foot-10. “Representing Canada at the national level is obviously something that you don’t really think that you’re going to be able to do.

“With that dedication and hard work, I know that I am capable of competing at those higher levels and wearing that Team Canada gear. I feel like it will add a whole other level of excitement. I’m very thankful and very honoured, and I’m excited to see what I can kind of produce while I’m there under those pressures.”

On top competing at the World University Games, Hagerty will experience being in another country. She thought it might be a bit overwhelming for the first few days just being in Germany. Hagerty added it will be different seeing athletes wearing the team gear of their respective countries adding to the importance of the event, but she believes she can show she belongs there.

“I think there will be added pressure, but I think it is just all exciting, and I’m excited to see what comes from it,” said Hagerty.

After graduating from Campbell Collegiate in 2019, Hagerty first joined the University of Regina Cougars Women’s Track and Field Team and studied in kinesiology. Before the start of the 2022-23 campaign, she transferred to the Huskies and became a business major at the Edwards School of Business at the U of S. She made the move to get a fresh start in both athletics and academics.

Reindl has enjoyed coaching Hagerty with the Huskies as the program’s head coach and recently took on the role of being Hagerty’s primary coach in the long jump.

“As a head coach, I’ve kind of been working with Hannah for three years now, but as her primary coach, I really just started working with her in the last three months,” said Reindl. “It has been a unique change, but a pretty exciting one in terms of her enthusiasm for training and just excitement for pushing herself to be better.

“When we look at long jump as her primary event, it is speed, it is power and the ability to have a strong dynamic takeoff and some leverage. She has some long levers. She is a taller gal.

“Whether it was her development at Regina, what initial coaches here at USask in Kevin Cumming and Jayden Wiebe have been able to do with her, she just has a knack for the event and is able to do quite well and develop positively.”

Reindl said it will be a great opportunity for Hagerty, Willems and Neufeld to represent Canada on the international stage at the World University Games.

Hannah Hagerty works on her speed during a July 2 practice.

“We’re pretty fortunate in the sense that we’ve got Jake Neufeld, Paige Willems and Hannah (Hagerty) all going to Germany later this summer with myself as a team coach,” said Reindl. “It is something where the athletes get to experience not only an international event, but also one that is age regulated.

“The maximum age is now 25-years-old. It is kind of an international (competition) amongst their peers and student athletes. The opportunity to put on a Team Canada singlet (and) compete against some of the world’s best, it is just a great opportunity to test themselves and have some fun.”

Going into the World University Games, Hagerty said she gained a boost of confidence from how well her 2024-25 U Sports season went with the Huskies.

“I think I just surprised myself,” said Hagerty. “I have abilities to perform, but I don’t think anyone fully trusts that they’re going to be the one to like be a Canada West champion or anything like that.

“I think it came with a lot of surprises, but with those surprises, it also did come with a lot of hard work and dedication to being at practice and working hard and always focusing when I am at practice. The season was very exciting. I think it was eye-opening, and it is just exciting to see what can come from that.

“I think that was obviously a very good start, and I just want to keep building on that.”

To prepare for her upcoming international competition, Hagerty said being able to train at the Track and Field Track on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds has been a huge help.

“The past summer months of training have definitely been really, really good training,” said Hagerty. “That is where I transitioned under Jason (Reindl).

“He has obviously put in a lot of work and a lot of work into every single practice, into lifting and into the organization of preparing for each week. I know that when I come to practice there is a purpose and something that I’m supposed to be focusing on. I think, especially with long jump, each practice focuses on kind of a different element, which I need, because it is not just improving altogether.

“It is just working on specific things, so that when I do go to those big stages, things hopefully can come together all in one.”

Hannah Hagerty won the Canada West title in the long jump in February.

Hagerty also enjoys the fact that she can draw strong support from the very athletic family she comes from. Her father, Jeff, was a member of the 1990 Vanier Cup champion University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team and helped the Regina Rams win CJFL titles in 1993 and 1994. Her mother, Tammy, was once a triple jump specialist in track and field and played softball for a very long stretch.

Her older brother, Josh, is an alum of the Huskies football club. Josh broke into the CFL as a defensive back with the Toronto Argonauts in 2021 and was a member of their Grey Cup championship team in 2022. 

Josh played for the Edmonton Elks last season and started this season as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before being released on July 2.

Hannah said her family’s sports background is pretty cool.

“I think it has been really fun,” said Hagerty. “When I was little, I was always just very active being at baseball for my brother and being at football for him.

“Wherever he kind of was, I was just the little sister that kind of followed around, and it, obviously, added like a lot of excitement and fun. I know growing up being around sports, I was always very, very active. Then just seeing him (Josh) and how much time and dedication he has put into his sports and the things that he loves, it gives me a lot of motivation that knowing if you have that ability to kind of use that as your strength and really push towards what you want.

“He has been someone who has very much inspired me into just dedicating to what I want to do and seeing if I can take it to the next step. Obviously, I am very proud of him, and I know that he still has a lot to give. He is definitely someone that I’ve been very much inspired by.”

When the World University Games wraps up, Hagerty will return to the U of S to complete her final season of eligibility with the Huskies and finish up work on her business studies. She would like to continue with track and field when her Huskies days wrap up.

“I feel like I haven’t really thought about it being my last season, because I always feel like there is more to come,” said Hagerty. “That is just the mindset that I’ve been in for the past few years of being a university athlete.

Hannah Hagerty aims to stick good results at the World University Games.

“I feel like, even though it is my last season competing of eligibility with the Huskies, you never know what can happen. You never know where that might take me. There are very big goals and dreams that I want to achieve, so after this season, my hope is to still continue training and continue competing, and then just see what happens from there.”

McCullough rolls for Canada in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Devon McCullough checks a signal from the pitching circle.

Devon McCullough was tuned up in peak form like a 1969 Dodge Charger on a drag strip.

The 34-year-old veteran pitcher and local product suited up for Canada’s National Men’s Team to play in the Super 8 International Men’s Fast Pitch 4 Nations Cup from July 3 to 5 on the familiar ground of Bob Van Impe Stadium. Growing up in Montgomery Place, McCullough is extremely familiar with the storied facility located at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

On July 3, McCullough had a perfect game going after five complete innings in Canada’s opening contest of the 4 Nations Cup against Japan. He was pulled with Canada holding a 3-0 advantage for closer Justin Schofield. Schofield closed out the final two innings allowing Canada to post a 3-1 victory.

Devon McCullough sets in his wind up playing for Canada.

McCullough’s next action would come when he got the start in the Championship Game of the 4 Nations Cup on July 5. He threw six complete innings giving up just one run as Canada held a slim 2-1 advantage over New Zealand before giving way for Schofield to pitch the seventh. Schofield closed out the 2-1 win with three consecutive strikeouts as Canada claimed the 4 Nations Cup.

During the 4 Nations Cup, McCullough’s play brought back memories of the 2015 International Softball Federation Men’s World Championship Tournament held on the Complex grounds. In the championship game played on July 5^th of that year, McCullough, who was the youngest player on Canada’s roster at age 24, threw the final four-and-two-third innings for the Canadian side striking out eight batters, while scattering one hit and five walks. His performance allowed Canada to rally from a 5-0 deficit to post a 10-5 victory.

Our lead picture for this photo roundup shows McCullough in the pitching circle in the 4 Nations Cup final this past July 5 getting a sign before he delivers a pitch. The second photo displays McCullough in a wind up during the 4 Nations Cup title contest. The third photo sees McCullough unloading a rocket throw to home plate in Canada’s tournament opening game against Japan on July 3.

Devon McCullough unloads a heater to home plate.

Following the 4 Nations Cup victory that saw Canada post a 4-0 record, the Canadian side traveled to Prince Albert to take part in the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup that started on July 8 and is slated to run through to July 13 at Prime Ministers’ Park. New Zealand also heads to the World Cup after posting a 1-3 mark at the 4 Nations Cup.

Along with the pictures of McCullough, this photo roundup includes more shots from the 4 Nations Cup. The photo roundup also includes other scenes from baseball, football, softball and track and field.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, all of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 16 shots we hope you enjoy.

Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame bound

Larry Pavloff, left, and Sherry Anderson shake hands at a news conference to announce the 2025 class for the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame held on June 11 at Gordie Howe Sports Centre building. Pavloff is heading to the Hall as an athlete for his exploits in softball. Anderson is going to the Hall as the skip of her senior curling teams from 2016 to 2023 that won five Canadian titles and three world championships. Her foursome included Patty Hersikorn at third, Brenda Goertzen at second and Anita Silvernagle at lead. The official induction dinner will take place on Saturday, November 1 at Prairieland Park.

Up and over

A trio of athletes leap over their respective hurdles in the women’s 100-metre hurdles final that was part of the Canada Summer Games Trials held on June 15 at the Track and Field Track. The Canada Summer Games Trials and the U12, U14 and Masters Provincial Track and Field Championships run by Saskatchewan Athletics took part over two days concluding on that June 15^th day.

Run with power

Saskatoon Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright rumbles her way past a trio of tacklers from the Regina Riot in the WWCFL’s Prairie Conference Final playing on June 21 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. In a contest that was played mainly in a downpour, Wright scored the game’s only touchdown as the Valkyries blanked the Riot 9-0.

Valkyries team photo time

The Saskatoon Valkyries pose for the customary team photo after blanking the Regina Riot 9-0 in the WWCFL’s Prairie Conference Final on June 21 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Valkyries would move on to win their 10^th WWCFL championship prevailing in the league’s championship game 28-0 over the host Edmonton Arctic Pride on June 28 at Commonwealth Stadium.

Eyeing up the coverage

Blitz quarterback Nicole Braun eyes up the downfield coverage during Saskatoon Touch Football League action on June 23 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Blitz came away with a 39-9 victory over Can’t Catch This during this contest as Braun threw five touchdown passes.

Sliding in safe

A Saskatoon Raiders base runner slides in safely at second base in a game against the Saskatoon Hustlers in action in the League Championships for the Saskatoon Minor Softball League played on June 29 at the Indoor Training Centre. Due to heavy rains that fell the previous day, the younger age groups continued their League Championships at the Indoor Training Centre due to the outdoor diamonds at the Complex being waterlogged.

Set to deliver

Tanner Hosick kicks the leg up to deliver a pitch for the Saskatoon Berries in a WCBL regular season clash against the Regina Red Sox on June 30 at Cairns Field. Hosick threw the final two innings of that game for the Berries and picked up the save in a 12-10 victory played before 2,058 spectators.

Running for fun

A trio of youngsters run the bases at Cairns Field after the Saskatoon Berries down the Regina Red Sox 12-10 in a WCBL regular season contest on June 30. Since the Berries first took the field in 2024, it has become tradition for youngsters to run the bases for a good time following the team’s home games.

Sutherland returns to home track

Star track and field athlete Savannah Sutherland returned to train at the Track and Field Track on July 2 following the conclusion of her NCAA career with the University of Michigan Wolverines Women’s Track and Field Team. The Borden product, who competed for Canada at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, ended her time in the NCAA in impressive fashion. At the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship on June 14 in Eugene, Oregon, Sutherland won the 400-metre women’s hurdles championship race in a time of 52.46 seconds. Sutherland’s time was a new Canadian record, a new NCAA record and the ninth fastest time ever recorded in the 400-metre women’s hurdles. A catch up story with Sutherland can be found on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex website by clicking right here.

Happy homer

Koki Sato, who is the left-fielder for Team Japan, was all smiles after hitting a solo shot home run for his squad in a game against Canada played at the Super 8 International Men’s Fast Pitch 4 Nations Cup held on July 3 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Japan ultimately dropped a tightly contested contest 3-1.

Eye on the ball

Team Canada first baseman Colin Walsh catches a foul ball for an out against New Zealand in a contest played at the Super 8 International Men’s Fast Pitch 4 Nations Cup held on July 4 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Canada would prevail 4-2 in that encounter over New Zealand.

Tracking the ball in

Team New Zealand catcher Cam Watts tracked a ball into his glove in a game against Canada that was played at the Super 8 International Men’s Fast Pitch 4 Nations Cup held on July 4 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. New Zealand ultimately fell in that clash 4-2.

Fist bumps for the win

United States third baseman Blaine Milheim and catcher Tyler Damon do a fist bump after their squad slips past Japan 2-1 in the third-place game of the Super 8 International Men’s Fast Pitch 4 Nations Cup held on July 5 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The United States completed the event with a 2-2 record, while Japan had a 1-3 mark.

Trophy time

Team Canada captain Shane Boland, left, receives the championship trophy from Bryan Kosteroski, who is the President of the Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association, after Canada took the Championship Game of the Super 8 International Men’s Fast Pitch 4 Nations Cup held on July 5 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Canada finished the 4 Nations Cup with a 4-0 record.

Team Canada thanks the fans

Following their Championship Game win at the Super 8 International Men’s Fast Pitch 4 Nations Cup on July 5, members from Team Canada salute the fans at Bob Van Impe Stadium. After the tournament win, Canada departed to Prince Albert to compete in the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup that was set to run July 8 to 13.

Top level snag

Saskatoon Berries right-fielder Evan Janner makes a challenging catch in a WCBL regular season contest on July 8 at Cairns Field. The Berries fell just short dropping a 9-8 decision that day to the Moose Jaw Miller Express, but Saskatoon still sat first overall in the WCBL with a 27-5 record.

Colborn combines love of softball and country life

Local star piles up awards with Lady Buffs in Texas

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Cadence Colborn sets to make a hit during game action.

Cadence Colborn couldn’t pass up a chance to go on a new journey in Texas when the opportunity combined two of her biggest loves – softball and country life.

After graduating from Tommy Douglas Collegiate in June of 2024, Colborn ventured down to Canyon, Texas, to play for the West Texas University A&M Lady Buffs Softball Team in the NCAA Division II ranks. While Colborn grew up as a softball standout in Saskatoon, she would travel with her family to do work on the family farm outside of town. It was a place where Colborn always felt like she was home.

When she was with presented the chance to join the Lady Buffs playing out of a small city of just over 16,000 people in the northern part of Texas, Colborn couldn’t pass it up.

“I have a huge agriculture background,” said Colborn. “My dad is a farmer.

“I’ve grown up around the farm. I’m an animal science major, pre-vet major. It is just right up my alley.

“Everything is ‘yee-haw’ and cowboy hats. I also rodeo, so that is really cool too. Everything is rodeo down there.”

Colborn is back in Saskatoon playing for the CT&V Selects U19A team. The 18-year-old returned home after having a spectacular first season with the Lady Buffs. In 57 total games, Colborn, who plays first base, went 48-for-111 at the plate for a .432 average, nine home runs and 51 RBI.

She was named a second team All-Lone Star Conference all-star, to the Lone Star Conference All-Freshman team and a National Fastpitch Coaches Association South-Central Region second team all-star.

Along with piling up the awards, Colborn helped the Lady Buffs put up a 56-8 overall record. The Lady Buffs fell 2-1 in the best-of-three NCAA South Super Regionals to the University of Texas at Tyler Patriots for the right to advance to NCAA Division II College World Series. The Patriots would move on to claim a second straight NCAA Division II national title.

Cadence Colborn goes yard at nationals on August 3, 2025.

Being part and playing well in the Lady Buffs lengthy post-season run was a thrilling new experience for Colborn.

“It was awesome,” said Colborn, who stands 5-foot-7. “We talked a whole year about playing for a national championship, so we could kind of set ourselves up for that stage.

“In practice, we play harder than we do in the games. Practice is always harder. It was just unreal.

“I’ve never played on a stage like that. The fans are crazy.”

Growing up in Saskatoon, Colborn seemed destined to play softball for the longer term. She regularly went to games her father, Shawn, played in and remembers chasing down foul balls to make a little extra cash from the scorekeeper. She credits Shawn and her mother, Andrea, for being the biggest influences in helping her in the game.

“I grew up around the ballpark,” said Colborn. “I’ve just kind of been playing my whole life.

“It has just kind of been in the family. I was born with a ball in my hand. There are pictures of me with my dad’s ball glove on.

“I started T-ball when I was like five.”

When she started playing softball, Colborn was drawn to crushing the ball with the bat.

“I think hitting has always been my favourite,” said Colborn. “I love just swinging the bat and feeling the ball fly off the bat.

“I just like the atmosphere. I think it is fun. If you strike out or have a tough day at the plate, you can come back on defence.”

Colborn excelled at the sport as she grew up. Before she headed off to play for the Lady Buffs, Colborn gave hometown fans thrills playing for the provincial champion Saskatoon Prairie Dog Selects at Softball Canada’s Under-19 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship Tournament that ran July 31 to August 4, 2024 at the diamonds on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Cadence Colborn takes up a defensive position at first base.

The Selects posted a 5-3 overall record, and Colborn was named a tournament all-star. At the plate, Colborn posted a .474 batting average and nailed three home runs. In the playoff round, she homered off Fraser Valley Fusion pitcher Morgan Reimer, who has been a regular in Softball Canada’s national team system.

Ryan Ray coached Colborn last season and is coaching her again this season in the Selects program. 

Having been part of high-level softball as either a player or a coach for almost his whole life, Ray was immediately impressed with Colborn.

“She is a very, very hard worker,” said Ray. “When she puts something in her mind, she does it.

“She works and works until she gets it done. It is not always easy to coach a player that is that driven, because they expect a lot out of you too. I love the challenge that she gives all the time, and it has always been enjoyable coaching her.”

Ray believes Colborn’s potential to go far in the sport is huge.

“The sky is the limit,” said Ray. “She can play in the Olympics.

“I firmly believe that she is a good enough hitter to do that, and her defence is getting better and better all the time. The sky is the limit for her. Whatever she puts her mind to, she will get.”

Originally, Colborn thought she would remain close to home when it came to playing post-secondary softball. That changed the deeper she got in her high school years.

“I started to really think about it when I was in Grade 11,” said Colborn, whose younger brother, Braeden, plays for the Saskatoon Giants Under-18 AAA Baseball Team. “I actually didn’t think I was going to go play college softball.

Cadence Colborn enjoys driving the ball deep.

“I wanted to stay home and go to the U of S (Saskatchewan). Then, a couple of my friends started signing. They’re older than me.

“Then, I was kind of like, ‘Yeah, I kind of want to go do this, and I think I could be good at it.’”

When she started playing for the Lady Buffs, Colborn said she had to adjust to how good the pitchers were, and her coaches worked with her regarding approaches at the plate.

“The pitching was unreal,” said Colborn. “I had never seen pitching like that.

“There were rise balls where they hit their spots. On the other side, our coach found ways to help us. We hit off the machine every day.

“The pitching was just unreal. They threw like 66, 67 and all the way up to like 72 (miles per hour). They mix their pitches, they mix paces, and they just really tried their best to get you out.”

On a personal front, Colborn was hoping to pick up an all-star award as a rookie. She wasn’t expecting a trio of all-star honours to come her way.

“It was just unreal,” said Colborn. “That was a goal going in was just to make a conference team.

“I made a conference team and a region team. I did not expect to be named a region player in my first freshman year, but that was just surreal. I was just grateful to even be nominated for the regional award.”

Now that she is back at home for the summer, Colborn is hoping to help the Selects have another big season. When the campaign with the Selects wraps up, she will play for Saskatchewan’s women’s softball team at the Canada Summer Games that runs August 8 to 25 in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

While the NCAA is more open for movement than it ever has been with rule changes regarding the transfer portal in recent years, Colborn is planning to remain with the Lady Buffs, because that is where she feels most at home.

Cadence Colborn, left, is pictured after winning a provincial title.

“I like where I am at right now,” said Colborn. “It is great.

“It is good for my schooling as well. I will see what the future holds, but I definitely want to win a national championship. I think we have a really good chance at that next year, so I’ll be sticking around for the next couple of years until we win one.”

Berries back in business in rocking photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Carter Beck gives a thumbs up after sliding in safe at third.

They were Saskatoon’s hottest ticket in the summer of 2024 and are continuing their momentum early in their 2025 campaign.

The Saskatoon Berries began their inaugural Western Canadian Baseball League season a year ago playing their home games out of Cairns Field. Over their 26 regular season home dates, they averaged 1,931 spectators per game.

The expansion Berries started out 3-8 before jetting to a 31-26 finish to place sixth overall in the 12-team circuit. They advanced to the best-of-three East Division Championship Series before falling 5-3 in a series deciding Game 3 to the Moose Jaw Miller Express on August 13, 2024 at Cairns Field.

Barry the Bear is feeling happy with a bowl full of popcorn.

Centre-fielder Carter Beck, who is from Carnduff, Sask., took home WCBL awards as the circuit’s Rookie of the Year and Most Outstanding Canadian. In 51 regular season games with the Berries, Beck posted a .374 average, 11 home runs, 38 runs batted in and 53 runs scored.

In the early part of the 2025 season, the Berries have jumped out to a 7-2 start. While they are playing in just their second season, they have been tabbed as an early favourite to contend for the WCBL championship.

Our lead picture for this photo roundup shows Beck giving the thumbs up after sliding safely into third base after hitting a triple in a 14-6 victory over the Fort McMurray Giants on June 4 at Cairns Field. Our second photo comes from that same game, and it shows mascot Barry the Bear about to enjoy a bowl of popcorn. The third picture sees pitcher Merek Yeager going through his windup on a throw to home plate.

Merek Yeager windsup to fire a pitch over home plate.

Along with the pictures featuring the Berries, this photo roundup includes other scenes from baseball, football, softball and track and field. All these sports are in full swing, and it is common there are nights on the Complex grounds where Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Track and Field Track, Cairns Field, Leakos Field and all eight of the softball diamonds are all in use at the same time.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, all of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 15 shots we hope you enjoy.

Here comes the heat

Saskatoon Diamondbacks pitcher Sean Coverett fires a pitch to home during a Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League Under-18 AAA game on May 13 at Cairns Field. The Diamondbacks would get past the East Central Red Sox on this night 11-8.

Gainer meets the fans

Saskatchewan Roughriders mascot Gainer the Gopher gives high-fives and meets fans at Saskatoon Minor Football Field as part of the CFL team’s Green and White Day on May 17. Green and White Day is one of the first big events of the 2025 season where the Roughriders interact with their fans.

All-out effort

A Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver makes a catch during simulated game activities during the team’s Green and White Day held on May 17 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Roughriders went through a number of simulated game situations in their player evaluations.

Meeting Rider Nation

The Saskatchewan Roughriders meet their fans following a simulated game session that was part of the team’s Green and White Day activities held on May 17 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Roughriders players satisfied all the autograph and picture requests that came their way.

Conference call

Members of the Wynyard Blues have a meeting on the pitching mound during action at the Quinn Stevenson Memorial 18U AA Tournament on May 24 at Leakos Field. In a tightly contested game, the Blues dropped a 2-1 decision to the Saskatoon Cardinals.

Setting the pace

A group of runners finds their pace during a 3,000-metre race during the SSSAD’s Bob Adams City Championship on May 29 at the Track and Field Track. This was the second of two days the city championship ran at the track.

Big effort

A discus thrower from Aden Bowman Collegiate launches a throw during action at the SSSAD’s Bob Adams City Championship on May 29 at the Track and Field Track. School meets attract athletes that view track and field as their main sport and athletes from other sports.

Take off

A shot put thrower from Bishop James Mahoney High School launches a shot during action at the SSSAD’s Bob Adams City Championship on May 29 at the Track and Field Track. All athletes at this meet were looking to qualify for the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association provincials that ran June 6 and 7 in Moose Jaw.

Angel in the outfield

A centre-fielder from the Twin City Angels U17A team reacts to making a diving catch in the outfield during a game at Glenn Reeve Field #4 on June 4. The effort drew cheers from players in the dugouts of both the Angels and the Saskatoon Stealth.

Defensive gem

Fort McMurray Giants shortstop Darcy Barry comes up with a great defensive throw to get the out at first in a WCBL game against the Saskatoon Berries on June 4 at Cairns Field. The play was one of a handful of highlights for the Giants as they fell 14-6 to the Berries.

Crusader takes down Crusader

A Team Green defensive lineman who also plays for the Holy Cross Crusaders High School Football Team takes down a Team Green quarterback who also plays for the Crusaders. Team Black and Team Green were going at it in the Saskatoon Minor Football North Sask Academy U18 championship game at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on June 4. Team Black prevailed over Team Green 20-17.

Trophy time

Two captains from Team Black pose for a photo after receiving the championship trophy after their squad won the Saskatoon Minor Football North Sask Academy U18 championship game at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on June 4. The academy league features some of the best age group players in the north half of the province.

Kick the dust up

A member of the Melfort Spirit U19A women’s softball team stirs up a tonne of dust sliding into second base under the tag of a Saskatoon CT&V Selects U19A player on June 5 at Glenn Reeve Field #5. The Selects prevailed 7-1 in the Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association league contest.

Coming through in the clutch

Saskatoon Valkyries rookie receiver Jada Duchene jets upfield after making a clutch catch and gets a big first down inside the final two minutes of a WWCFL regular season contest against the Manitoba Fearless on June 8 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Duchene’s reception played out to be huge in allowing the Valkyries to hold on to a 16-12 victory.

Valkyries cheer undefeated regular season

The Saskatoon Valkyries give a big cheer after slipping past the Manitoba Fearless 16-12 in a WWCFL regular season contest on June 8 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The win secured a perfect 4-0 regular season record for the Valkyries.

Roughriders’ Picton enjoys helping the kids in Saskatoon

Receiver still remembered for time with Rams

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Mitchell Picton gives a play call to a group of players.

Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Mitchell Picton chuckles for being known as the University of Regina Rams player that comes to Saskatoon to coach the kids.

Since 2022, Picton has made way up to Saskatoon from Regina to be a guest coach for Saskatoon Minor Football’s Playground To Pros camp. The Playground To Pros camp is the annual Easter time camp that helps with developing skills and fundamentals in players at the grassroots level.

Picton was back at this year’s camp that ran April 22 to 24 at the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. While he has been a member of the Roughriders since 2017, Picton is amazed about how many locals remember he played five seasons for the University of Regina Rams from 2013 to 2017.

After the Rams were eliminated from the Canada West playoffs on November 4, 2017, Picton signed with the Roughriders on November 15, 2017 and has been with the CFL franchise continually from that time. Picton, who will turn 30-years-old on May 29, still gets into friendly jab sessions regarding the Rams rivalry in U Sports with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies every time he visits Saskatoon.

“It is definitely still alive,” said Picton, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 197 pounds. “I always make sure to pack a little bit of Rams gear when I come up to Saskatoon.

“I’m certainly still a Rams fan. I still have a little bit of distaste for the Huskies. They’ve got a few decent guys over there that I’ve become friends with over the years.”

Picton is part of a sizable group of CFL players who help with the Playground To Pros camp including Huskies alums in Riley Pickett and Nathan Cherry, who both play for the British Columbia Lions, and Josh Hagerty, who suits up for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Pickett, who also an alum of the CJFL’s storied Saskatoon Hilltops, is the Lions long snapper and fullback, and Cherry toils on the defensive line. Hagerty is a defensive back with the Blue Bombers.

Mitchell Picton sizes up a play call during a scrimmage.

While Picton enjoys getting to know and working with players on various other CFL teams, his biggest joy comes from working with the kids at Playground To Pros.

“It is always fun,” said Picton. “Being from Saskatchewan, a kid that grew up playing Regina minor football and that sort of thing and came through the Team Sask ranks, it is always good to come out and give back, because that little kid was me a bunch of years back.

“It always feels good to come out and be involved in the minor football community.”

The players who take part in the Playground To Pros camp get to try every position in the game of football. Picton said he tries to pass on simple lessons to the players he works with.

“You try to teach them the basics,” said Picton. “You see each kid for a very short amount of time.

“You try and give them one or two things to maybe work on and help their craft a little bit. You are not going to change them overnight or develop a player overnight. You try and give them the tools to take back to their teams for their football season to work on that is going to help their game progress.”

Growing up in Regina, Picton said he didn’t remember going to a camp that was exactly similar to Playground To Pros, but he did attend some development camps. He believes the Playground To Pros camps allows players to get a taste of every part of the game. Picton added he took part in a variety of sports growing up in Regina, and it is good to enjoy numerous sports.

Mitchell Picton, centre, hands a football to a player.

“There were always camps and stuff that we went to throughout the spring and summer,” said Picton. “I played a lot of sports growing up.

“Football season started for me when RMF (Regina Minor Football) started. I was playing hockey through the winter. Then into the spring, I played lacrosse.

“In the fall, it was time to play football. I was kind of playing different sports at different times. I’d pick up my football helmet again when football season rolled around.”

Picton also enjoys being on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. He likes working out at Ignite Athletics and thinks the Indoor Training Centre is a perfect spot to hold minor football camps in.

“Ignite (Athletics) is great for us,” said Picton. “They treat us extremely well, so we always like coming up there and getting some work in.

“Just the facility, the turf and everything that they have here is kind of in one spot. It makes it easy for us to train and coach the kids and do all that kind of just under one roof. It makes it pretty good.”

He adds he is always impressed with how many of the guest coaches from the CFL ranks are Saskatchewan products.

“I think it speaks to the talent that we have in Saskatchewan,” said Picton. “There are a lot of guys playing football professionally now that are from Saskatchewan or played at the U of R or U of S and that sort of thing.

“It is great to get up here with them a little bit. We’ve trained together. It is always good to see guys like that and get a little work in.”

Mitchell Picton gives feedback to a group of players.

Of course, Picton said it is special when the young players recognize him for being a member of the Roughriders. 

He talks frequently about those encounters with Saskatoon product and Roughriders long snapper Jorgen Hus, who is an alum of the Rams and the Hilltops.

“For us, we almost not downplay it, but it has become pretty normalized for us,” said Picton. “That is our occupation.

“That is what we do is we play football. We try to not make it as big a deal between us. Then, it is cool when you see the kids, and they’re super excited.

“Then, you kind of do have that different perspective of what we do is important in the community, and people care a lot about it.”

Following the conclusion of the Playground To Pros camp, Picton returned home to Regina for a short stay before returning to Saskatoon. Roughriders rookie camp ran from May 7 to 9 at Griffiths Stadium. Main camp was set to begin on May 11 at Griffiths with the team returning to Regina on May 25.

Picton is looking forward to the upcoming CFL campaign.

Mitchell Picton shares a laugh with some fans on May 18, 2024.

“You’re excited for training camp to get going,” said Picton. “You’re excited to get into the season.

“You are not quite as excited for three weeks of living in dorms in Saskatoon, but that is all part of training camp and what we go through in our jobs. I am excited to get the season going and get up here and get to work.”

For more information on the various programs offered by Saskatoon Minor Football, feel free to check out their website at saskatoonminorfootball.com.