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Regardless of what community you visit within the Parkland region, you will find many incredible athletes.

Whether it's Dauphin, Ste. Rose, Grandview, Gilbert Plains or any other town, the Parkland has a rich history of having athletes who excel and go on to achieve amazing things.

For instance, in Grandview, that is the home of Ryan Pulock who plays in the National Hockey League.

Dauphin is the home of Barry Trotz, who guided the Washington Capitals to a Stanley Cup a few years ago. Russell is the home of Aiden Ziprick, who helped the Moose Jaw Warriors win the Western Hockey League (WHL) last year. Swan River is the home of Tristin Langan, who is currently having a great season professionally with the Stavanger Oilers in Norway. 

Today, we will head to the Jewel of the Parkland, Roblin. The home of Jayce Hawryluk who is currently playing in Slovakia and has 98 games under his belt. Jayce is a role model to so many in that community and if you ask members of the Goose Lake High School junior varsity boys' volleyball team, many of them want to enjoy a life that Jayce has and continues to enjoy. 

This year's junior varsity team included Coy Dixon, Ryder Newton, Zach Rolland, Maddox Andres, Tyson Wiesner, Gavin Stroud, Elijah Wendell, Jackson Shiner, Blake Galbraith, Cash Kitzul, Tosh Johnson, Cameron Perchaluk, Jaxon Whitehawk, Dryden Wutzke, and Levi Beerman.

For those 15 student-athletes, it was a season to remember on the court. They lost just six sets all season and won five tournament titles, winning every final that they played in.

Jarrett Newton was the team's coach and he's amazed with the player's work ethic.

"We practice three times a week and then play in tournaments on weekends, that's commitment and dedication," said Newton. "We have a very committed group of boys. It's incredible to watch them put in so much effort and to see it pay off at the end of the day, it means that much more."

From the very first practice, the team's goal was to win a championship. It was nice to win five tournaments leading up to the big dance, but the job wasn't done for this group unless they achieved their ultimate goal, which they came up short of achieving last season when they were upset in the quarterfinals. 

In the round-robin, the Raiders made quick work of Landmark, Major Pratt and Elton. Step one of finishing atop their pool was achieved but a tough road was still ahead. The team held off Hamiota/Shoal Lake and Glenboro to advance to an all-Parkland provincial gold medal match as Roblin went up against Major Pratt.

After the Trojans won the first set, the Jarrett Newton Roblin-based squad had to play from behind. It was simple, win two straight sets or come up short of their goal. Goose Lake responded to the challenge and after winning the second set 25-22, they won a thrilling third set, 15-12, as they came from behind to win a provincial title and cap off a season to remember.

Newton talks about what makes this group so special.

"I think always being in the big moments makes the biggest difference, they are used to being in big games and being put in tough situations," said Newton. "The biggest thing that I saw was their calmness in the final. They were down but never gave up, it was incredible to see. They hate losing more than they love winning and play like it."

What makes this group that much more incredible is that many of them won a provincial title on the ice last season. Coy, Ryder, Tyson, Levi, Gavin, Blake, Elijah, and Zach were on the Roblin Stars hockey team that won the U-15C Hockey Manitoba Provincial Championships last season.

At that event, the Stars scored 28 goals and gave up just 11. They capped off the event with a thrilling 4-3 win against Gladstone in the final.

Jarrett also coached that team and reflected on the players abilities in being multi-sport athletes.

"They buy into everything, they want to win at everything they do," continued Newton. "The running joke is that if they played basketball, we could be very good. They work so hard and push each other to be good and believe they can do anything they put their minds to."

For Jarrett, it's a dream come true to be able to coach his sons and he's thrilled to be a part of the sports scene in Roblin.

"The excitement that these guys show for each other is nothing short of incredible," ended Newton. "They always celebrate the accomplishments of each player and it is incredible to see, so special to be a part of. For me, it's a dream come true."

What's next for this group? Stay tuned, 730CKDM will be here to cover it.