Ostertag rediscovers fun in track and field

Standout athlete almost quit sport due to rough couple of years

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Nicole Ostertag helped the Huskies win a Canada West title.

Nicole Ostertag was oh so close to hanging up her track and field spikes for good.

Having built a reputation as being one of the best combined events athletes to come out of Saskatoon in some time, Ostertag went through a 2024 season where she didn’t compete at all due to injuries and illness. She returned to action in early 2025 only to have another setback at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, in April of that year.

“I hurt myself again, and that was really tough for me,” said Ostertag. “We were in California getting some early competitions in, and I took off funny in high jump and injured my knee.

“That was just devastating, and that was when I kind of decided that I had enough. My body seemed to be rejecting it, so I took a long break.”

The 25-year-old returned to the University of Saskatchewan to begin studying in the Master of Physical Therapy program. At that point, Ostertag considered rejoining the Huskies Women’s Track and Field Team.

She built a lot of great memories in her time with the Huskies that included setting the Huskies women’s program record for most points obtained in the pentathlon at 3,996 back in 2020. That record still stands to this day.

Ostertag approached Jason Reindl, who is the head coach of both Huskies women’s and men’s track and field teams, with the notion of making a possible return.

“I was ready to hang up my spikes and end my track career,” said Ostertag, who stands 5-foot-8. “I started my master’s of physical therapy at the university this year.

Nicole Ostertag makes a hurdles practice run on July 7, 2023.

“I realized I still had three years of eligibility left with the Huskies, and I decided I wanted to start going to the track again. I just did hurdles, and I’ve been only training three days a week. I started having fun again, and things have been going really well.”

At the Panda Open held this past February 6 and 7 in Edmonton, Alta., Ostertag broke the Huskies women’s team record in the 60-metre hurdles running in a time of 8.12 seconds. The old mark of 8.15 seconds run back in 2020 was held by one of her best friends in Michelle Harrison, who represented Canada running the women’s 100-metre hurdles in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Harrison’s record came in a gold medal winning race in the 2020 U Sports Track and Field Championships.

On the first day of this year’s Canada West Conference Track and Field Championships on February 20, Ostertag won the conference title in the 60-metre women’s hurdles running the championship final in a Canada West record time of 8.07 seconds edging fifth-year veteran Sienna MacDonald of the U of Calgary Dinos. MacDonald, who won both the Canada West and U Sports titles in the women’s 60-metre hurdles in 2024 and 2025, held the previous Canada West conference record in that event, running a time of 8.08 seconds in a preliminary race earlier in the day.

“It was so much fun, especially this year having Sienna MacDonald from Calgary to compete against,” said Ostertag, who also helped the Huskies women’s team win an eighth straight Canada West Conference team title. “She is a force, and she has been putting down crazy hurdle times for the last couple of years.

“To be able to kind of dethrone her, this is the first time she has been beaten in a while, it was fun. We are really good friends. We keep it light, so just having that energy between us is quite unique.”

On the second day of the U Sports Track and Field Championships on March 6 in Winnipeg, Man., Ostertag again edged MacDonald in championship race of the women’s 60-metre hurdles. Ostertag posted another Huskies program record time of 8.05 seconds to just edge MacDonald at 8.06 seconds. The Huskies women’s team finished second overall in the team points race at U Sports nationals, which wrapped up on March 7.

Nicole Ostertag, right, and Michelle Harrison are great friends.

Ostertag credited Reindl with helping her get back on track on the track. Reindl is well known for his ability to help athletes get healthy and stay healthy and perform their best in big competitions.

When he became the Huskies head coach in 2017, Reindl helped Harrison return to the sport and the Huskies after she became disillusioned having battled numerous injuries. Harrison went on to run better than she ever did piling up numerous accomplishments in making it to the 2024 Summer Olympics.

“I’m in a very similar position as Michelle (Harrison) was all those years ago, where she just decided to go back to school and do track for fun,” said Ostertag. “I came into this season just wanting to have fun, and Jason (Reindl) was fully accepting of that.

“He kept me limited to three practices a week. He would not let me over do it.”

Reindl said the key to bringing back the fun for Ostertag in track and field was to be intelligent with her training, which helps with confidence and shows through in competitions.

“I think it just goes into my, you know, kind of coaching philosophy,” said Reindl. “We are going to make smart decisions and really look at long term high performance.

“If we can stay healthy and get quality work in, there really are no limits. That is what Michelle (Harrison’s) kind of pathway was, and Nicole (Ostertag) is you know in this non-combined events world at the moment doing exceptionally well. We’re just excited to keep on working with her and seeing how far we can take this.”

Reindl said Ostertag has always been an extremely hard worker with a positive attitude. The coach added the star athlete’s day-to-day effort has allowed her to have the success she has had. For the Huskies as a team, Reindl said it has been big to have Ostertag back.

“It is awesome,” said Reindl. “She is such an exceptional athlete.

Nicole Ostertag throw a shot during the 2023 Saskatchewan provincials.

“Her ability to show what elite level high performance is like on the track and in training is just a huge positive for our team and program and our training group. It is just awesome.”

While she ended up with the Canada West record in the 60-metre hurdles, Ostertag entered the season with the desire to break Harrison’s Huskies record in that event.

“That was my goal coming into this year,” said Ostertag. “It kind of played into my motivation to come back.

“I wanted to go get Michelle (Harrison’s) record, because she is such a good friend to me, but we’re always trying to one-up each other. She is like one of the best hurdlers that Canada has seen, so to break her record is pretty darn special.”

Harrison stepped away from track and field after giving birth to a baby daughter named Izzy and starting a family with her husband, Graeme, in June of 2025. Ostertag and Harrison trained together for a number of years since the Track and Field Track opened on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds in 2019, which helped develop their friendship.

In the summer of 2023, their training group included the pride of Borden in Savannah Sutherland, who made the final of the 400-metre women’s hurdles in the 2024 Summer Olympics, and star heptathlete Madisson Lawrence from Winnipeg, Man. That provided a lasting memory for Ostertag.

“It was so much fun just having so many elite women training together, and our coach Jason (Reindl) kept things light and made the hard training days feel a little bit easier,” said Ostertag. “I’m hoping that if Michelle (Harrison) makes her comeback that we can train together once again, because that was pretty special.”

With that said, Ostertag is doing her best to stay in the moment and enjoy the day to day of the sport of track and field. Still, she admits she has had visions of getting back into combined events or maybe pushing for the next Summer Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles, California.

Nicole Ostertag, right, enjoys working with Jason Reindl, left.

“The thought has definitely crossed my mind,” said Ostertag. “When I came into this season, school was my priority, and track was just something I was going on the side.

“I did not expect to run this fast, but now that the joy has come back, I am starting to get the itch to start combined events again and maybe make a run at the 2028 Olympics. We will see. Time will tell.”

Photo roundup sees Huskies football put in off-season work

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Riece Kack gains speed during an agility drill.

One of the starting points on the road to the Vanier Cup for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team has been the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Since January of 2020, the Huskies have usually started their off-season training at the Indoor Training Centre often overseen by Ignite Athletics co-owner and strength and conditioning coach Joel Lipinski, who is also the Huskies strength and conditioning coordinator. Workouts often include various drills on the field turf field at the Indoor Training Centre along with a weight lifting session at Ignite on the second floor.

The Huskies will continue their off-season workouts at the Indoor Training Centre usually until the snow melts at their storied home in Griffiths Stadium on the U of Saskatchewan grounds. 

Riece Kack changes direction at a pylon during an agility drill.

During the time the Huskies have started their off-season training at the Indoor Training Centre, they have gone on to win Canada West Conference championships and appear in the U Sports championship game – the Vanier Cup – in 2021, 2022 and 2025.

The lead photo of our photo roundup sees Huskies veteran defensive end Riece Kack take off on an agility drill. The second picture sees Kack turning the corner at a pylon and going off in a new direction on that same drill.

The third shot shows offensive lineman Bennett Bloski, who has been on the Huskies roster for one season, jetting over a series of low hurdles in another drill that helps with speed, agility and strength. Bloski was a member of the St. Joseph High School Guardians 6A provincial championship team in 2024.

Bennett Bloski jets over a series of low hurdles.

All three of those Huskies photos were taken during a workout session on February 12.

Along with the pictures from Huskies football, this photo roundup shows the final stretch of the winter sports season, which saw action at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval close out. The photo roundup has images from baseball, cricket, football, skiing, softball and speed skating.

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 20 shots we hope you enjoy.

Getting low for speed

A member of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club focuses on getting low for a sprint down the straightaway at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 11. Lions skaters know the better they master techniques the faster they will skate on the track.

Powering through a corner

A group of skaters from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club skillfully jets around a corner at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 11. The Lions get the most out of their training at the Oval during the two-and-a-half months that it is open.

Skater keys on fun and getting better

A skater from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club zips down a straightaway at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 11. The Lions skaters have a blast skating on the Oval along with working on constant improvement.

Hitting warp speed

University of Saskatchewan Huskies running back Aulain Penner gains speed and powers past a pylon during a workout session on February 12 at the Indoor Training Centre. Penner just completed his first season with the Huskies and has made his share of big plays at Saskatoon Minor Football Field during his playing career before joining the Huskies.

Finding his stride

Braiden DeGroot, who is an offensive lineman heading into his second season with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, speeds over a low hurdle’s agility drill with strong form on February 12 at the Indoor Training Centre. DeGroot will be looking to continue the Huskies tradition of strong play along the offensive line.

Making a high snag look easy

A first baseman from the Saskatoon Cubs Under-18 AAA team sets to haul in a high throw for an out during a training session on February 15 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Cubs will be trying to repeat as Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League champions when their 2026 season begins in the spring.

Ready to let it rip

A young pitcher goes through the wind up to deliver a pitch during a 222’s Fastpitch training session on February 25 at the Indoor Training Centre. The 222’s were holding one of their “pitching factories” on this night as pitchers came out from various age groups looking to improve their skills in delivering various pitches.

Textbook block

A catcher makes a perfect block during a plate block drill during a 222’s Fastpitch training session on February 25 at the Indoor Training Centre. The 222’s were holding one of their “catching factories” on this night. The session focuses on plate blocking.

Contact

A cricket hitter nailed a ball during a practice session in a battling tunnel on February 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. During this session, a pitching machine was being used to give the hitters a different challenge. The balls being bowled towards the batters were coming in hot causing the hitter to respond with lightning fast reactions.

Peak concentration

A fielder settles in to make a catch on a fly ball during a 222’s Fastpitch training session on February 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. The 222’s were holding a lengthy session on this day, and the middle portion of the session focused on defensive work in the field.

Incoming

A bowler from the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon unloads a throw during a training session on February 28 in a pitching lane at the Indoor Training Centre. The Bison team members were polishing up their skills for the upcoming outdoor season in the spring.

Right back at you

A hitter from the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon drives a ball back in the direction of a bowler during a training session on February 28 in a pitching lane at the Indoor Training Centre. During these practice sessions, hitters work on reacting to tosses, which can see them make hard drives or defensive connections.

Youngsters pack the ski trails

A large group of young skiers swamp the ski trail that run across the Glenn Reeve Fields on March 1. The skiers were taking part in lessons offered by the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club. The instructors from the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club do a terrific job teaching the youngsters and have put in outstanding work maintaining the trails.

Oval hosts surge of skaters on final day

March 1 marked the final day for the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval for the 2025-26 winter season. A large number of skaters flocked down to the Oval to enjoy one last public skating session. Lots of fun has been had at the Oval over the years.

Familiar softball faces at the Oval

Public skating sessions at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval attract people who are involved in various sports who want to go out and have fun. The Oval’s final public skating session on March 1 saw softball coach Tracy Frisky skating with her daughter and softball star pitcher Emma Frisky. The two were out enjoying the day and were out with their entire family during that session.

Ready for live at bats

The Saskatoon Giants Under-18 AAA team utilizes a hitting station they set up at the Indoor Training Centre for some live at bats during a practice session on March 3 at the Indoor Training Centre. There were two home plate spots set up at this station, where batters go head-to-head against pitchers like they would in games.

Got it

A young player makes a fly ball catch during a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on March 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. During this session, the Going Yard instructors were cycling a group of their younger players through a trio of defensive drill stations.

Bullet throw

An infielder fires off a throw to first base during a practice session for the Saskatoon Giants Under-18 AAA team on March 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Giants players were working on getting their defensive rhythm down.

All in the hand-eye coordination

An outfielder from the Saskatoon Giants Under-18 AAA team goes through a bare-handed catch drill during a practice session on March 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. The drill is great at improving hand-eye coordination.

Joe Gallagher Field rest in final stretch

Joe Gallagher Field sits at rest under a cover of snow on March 8. In just under two months time, it will be full of softball activity. The conditions might not look like it outside, but the spring season isn’t that far away.

Comeback greater than setback for Hawkins

Biggar product heads to spring training with MLB Padres

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Garrett Hawkins gets some throws in at the Indoor Training Centre.

Sitting on the cusp of a “big league” dream, Garrett Hawkins was just trying to revive his baseball career a year ago at this time.

In February of 2025, Hawkins was going into training camp activities with the San Diego Padres organization after having last pitched early in the 2023 campaign. He was well along the comeback trail after having Tommy John surgery in the elbow on his right throwing arm.

On April 5, 2025, Hawkins took the mound in his new role as a reliever for the Fort Wayne TinCaps, who are the Padres high-A affiliate in Indiana. From that beginning he would be promoted to the San Antonio Missions AA team on August 1, 2025. 

Hawkins performed so well that he was named the Padres’ organizational Minor League Pitcher of the Year on September 28, 2025.

The best news following the end of the campaign came to Hawkins on November 18, 2025 when he was added to the Padres 40-man MLB roster. He is set to report along with the rest of the Padres pitchers and catchers for Spring Training on February 11 in Peoria, Arizona, which is a day after his 26^th birthday.

“I don’t think it has fully settled in kind of what it means,” said Hawkins, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 230 pounds. “I think once I get down to spring training it will kind of settle in.”

As he has for every off-season of his professional career, Hawkins has been training at the Indoor Training Centre with the Going Yard Baseball Academy. He has also helped out with coaching young pitchers too.

Garrett Hawkins returned to action after Tommy John surgery.

While Hawkins had been with the Padres since being selected by them in the ninth round of the 2021 MLB Draft in July of that year, he felt like he was going into the unknown going into spring training in 2025. One of the first changes he dealt with was being moved from being a starter to being a reliever.

“At the start of the year, I didn’t know what kind of role I’d have and kind of how the year would go,” said Hawkins. “I got settled in with a good group in Fort Wayne and kind of took it slow.

“I kind of learned along with some of the new guys that I didn’t know before. The year turned out all right.”

From April 27, 2025 until his promotion to San Antonio on Aug. 1, 2025, Hawkins did not allow a run for 34 consecutive innings over 26 appearances. It was the longest scoreless inning and appearances streak in Fort Wayne franchise history. 

Hawkins’ streak finished at 38 consecutive innings, which was the longest scoreless innings streak in Minor League Baseball since 2015.

“It definitely was a fun ride,” said Hawkins about the scoreless innings streak. “I didn’t really know where I was at as kind of the year went.

“I wasn’t thinking about it a whole lot. It definitely was nice to kind of be in that groove for a while and definitely there was some luck involved. It was a good run.”

With the TinCaps, Hawkins appeared in 32 games pitching in 44 innings posting an 8-1 record, a 1.43 earned run average, 60 strike outs and eight saves, while giving up 17 hits. With the Missions, Hawkins appeared in 13 games pitching in 16 innings posting a 1-0 record, a 1.69 earned run average, 20 strikeouts and two saves while giving up 11 hits.

Garrett Hawkins threw 38 consecutive scoreless innings in 2025.

Jordan Draeger, who is an owner operator and instructor at Going Yard, first got an opportunity to coach Hawkins in 2015, when the hurler was 15-years-old. Draeger has gotten to work with Hawkins on a fairly regular basis since that time including working with him to get him ready for the 2025 campaign and for the upcoming 2026 season. The longtime coach was impressed with how Hawkins performed last season coming back from injury.

“It was actually pretty remarkable like how he bounced back from the Tommy John surgery,” said Draeger. “I’ve seen athletes mentally get rocked by that a little bit, and it takes them a little bit while to trust their body and bring the violence back into their throwing progression.

“He really didn’t skip a beat honestly. He just kind of realized that it is a part of things that if you’re going to throw with that much intent all the time that it is just kind of part of it. Mentally, it didn’t set him back at all, so physically it didn’t set him back at all.

“He did a great job of recovering, putting in the hard work obviously in the gym working on his body to make sure that he was in a good position to bounce back. It honestly didn’t play too much into what we did out here from a training progression.”

Draeger added that everyone with Going Yard were keeping tabs on Hawkins’ scoreless inning streak when it was in progress.

“It was super cool to track his progression of the scoreless inning streak,” said Draeger. “That was a lot of fun for everyone to watch, (and) watching his numbers and the strikeout percentages go up.

Garrett Hawkins, right, gives pointers to a young pitcher.

“I think him moving into a closer role was something that was really healthy for him. There is a limited amount of pitches, and he could just go out there and throw with high intent and do his thing. I think the Padres have found a bit of a gold mine, and I think they’re just starting to realize that.

“With that, they put him in the right role. It fits him really well. It was super cool for us to watch as an organization and be able to like cheer him on at a distance.”

Hawkins has enjoyed being able to come back to work with Draeger and the rest of the Going Yard staff over the years.

“These guys have helped me a bunch throughout kind of the development of me all the way back to high school,” said Hawkins, who is a graduate of the Saskatoon Giants under18-AAA program. “It definitely means a lot to have them around.”

Draeger said it has been special to work with Hawkins over the long term and see how the relationship evolved with the experience the hurler has gained since becoming a professional in 2021.

“I think it is a really respectful relationship that we have in the sense that we can still offer him help and offer guidance here,” said Draeger. “It is more of a conversation now than it is about like firm coaching.

“We have really productive conversations on what he needs to do and what he needs to execute in order to get better. It has been awesome to just like have that insight as to where he came from and where he is going.”

Hawkins was grateful to be named the Padres’ organizational Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He is also thankful the Padres stuck with him during the recovery process and didn’t elect to release him.

Garrett Hawkins aims to take advantage of his MLB roster spot.

“It definitely means a lot,” said Hawkins. “They’ve invested a lot of time and energy into developing me into who I am.

“I am definitely grateful for that.”

Now going into the 2026 campaign, Hawkins focus is on taking advantage of the fact he is on the Padres 40-man MLB roster.

“I kind of just take it one day at a time and not make it as big of a deal as it maybe is,” said Hawkins. “I am just trying to do my thing and not worry about too much else.”

Familiar football faces of Saskatoon AFFL highlight photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Danielle Girolami sets to unload a pass for Flagging Rights.

The Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League has well-known faces galore from the Saskatoon and area football scene.

Born in 2012, the Saskatoon AFFL has been a mainstay on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds playing games at Saskatoon Minor Football Field from its start to indoor action at the Indoor Training Centre since it officially opened on March 1, 2019. On the women’s side, the league features lots of players that are either current members or alums of the powerhouse Saskatoon Valkyries WWCFL squad, and it is now seeing youngsters come up from Saskatoon Minor Football’s female flag programs.

The men’s side of Saskatoon AFFL features numerous players who are graduates of the historic Saskatoon Hilltops of the CJFL and of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team, who are a legacy squad in U Sports.

Tom Schnitzler snags a contested catch for Columbian Gold.

The veteran players in both the women’s and men’s games often show that their skills are as good as ever. Some of the players are aiming to make national teams overseen by Football Canada, while others use the competition as a break from responsibilities in the working world, often coaching in the overall sport and the family front.

The lead photo of our photo roundup sees Valkyries veteran Danielle Girolami all set to fire a pass downfield in a game for Flagging Rights on January 28 at the Indoor Training Centre. While known as a star defensive back for the Valkyries, Girolami enjoys throwing passes for a flag side loaded with players that have ties to the defending WWCFL champions.

The second picture sees Tom Schnitzler hauling in a contested catch as a receiver for Columbian Gold on February 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. Schnitzler is currently the head coach of the Holy Cross High School Crusaders, who are the defending Saskatchewan 6A provincial champions. As a defensive lineman, he won four CJFL titles with the Hilltops, suited up for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and played in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders.

Keira Maffin is playing her first year with U of Saskatchewan White.

The third shot shows Keira Maffin slinging a pass for University of Saskatchewan White. 

Maffin is in her first year at U of S after graduating from Centennial Collegiate last June.

Along with the pictures from Saskatoon AFFL, this photo roundup has images from baseball, football, softball and speed skating.

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.

Incoming

A hitter from the 222’s Fastpitch program drives a ball off a tee into the net during a training session on January 14 at the Indoor Training Centre. These pictures when taken from behind the net can surely make someone blink or jump backwards.

Take off

A trio of young Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club skaters take off down the front straightaway of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on January 14. The Lions were doing sprint work, and this was an image from a 50-metre race.

All about the skill

A pitcher from the JQFP Softball program unloads a throw during a training session in the pitching tunnels at the Indoor Training Centre on January 17. The hurlers were putting a lot of concentration into perfecting the mechanics of various pitches.

Going the distance

The skaters from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club were out doing endurance work on the morning of January 17 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. Some of the skaters did a total of 30 laps to strengthen the aerobic energy system.

Warmup flow

A young player lets go of a throw during a warmup for a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on January 21 at the Indoor Training Centre. Going Yard is good at having their players built towards performing the skills of the game of baseball at full speed.

Lift off

A young batter drives a hit off a tee during a Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy training session on January 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. The players were working on driving the ball into the outfield during this drill.

Nice snag

A player from the Saskatoon Lasers softball program catches a fly ball that was taking a drop during an outfielding drill on January 28 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Lasers were putting a mix of players from their various age groups through drills that were set up in three stations.

Smarts on the base paths

A baserunner was staying locked in to what was happening at home plate during a simulated game at a Saskatoon Selects training session on January 28 at the Indoor Training Centre. The simulated game was part of the Selects continuing evaluations for this upcoming spring and summer season.

Freeze

A trio of players from the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team all come to a power stop during a conditioning workout on January 29 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Huskies football squad, who are the defending Canada West champions, have been a day one user of the Indoor Training Centre for off-season work.

Shuffle and run

Veteran defensive back Ethan Laing does a number of side shuffle steps before breaking into a short sprint during a University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team conditioning workout on January 29 at the Indoor Training Centre. These conditioning workouts have drills that help the Huskies get used to the various stops and starts in football.

Berries Academy love for Grey Cup

The Grey Cup paid a visit to a Saskatoon Berries Training Academy session on February 3 at the Indoor Training Centre. A couple of Berries players showed their appreciation for the CFL’s biggest prize that was won this past November by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Grey Cup at home at the Complex

The Grey Cup looked right at home for a couple of days at the Indoor Training Centre. The CFL’s biggest prize that was won this past November by the Saskatchewan Roughriders is shown at a Saskatoon Berries Training Academy session on February 3. One day earlier, the Grey Cup appeared at the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds for an Institute of Saskatchewan Football session.

Jetting through traffic

Receiver Jackson Andrews, centre, from Mean Machine (Litzenberger) jets between a pair of defenders from Seaman Squad during Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League action on February 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. Offensive players aim to show great elusiveness in the flag game.

Escape artist

Quarterback Max Major of the 7^th Floor Crew eludes a pass rusher from Touchdown There during Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League action on February 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. Major is best known for his exploits in softball suiting up for Softball Canada’s national program on a number of occasions. He can also make plays in the flag game like Patrick Mahomes in the NFL.

Winter beauty at Cairns

A winter look at Cairns Field from February 7. These photos are keepers for the archives. In partnership with the Saskatoon Berries and the Sask Entertainment Group, 352 new seats as part of new stadium seating sections will be installed starting early spring and will be ready for the Berries opening day on May 30.