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Taylor Fletcher of McCreary is within striking distance heading into the final day as he looks for an automatic spot to compete in this year's Canadian mid-amateur national championship.
After a four-over, 76, on Wednesday, Fletcher improved on day two. He made birdies on 4, 8, and 11. He moved up 10 spots on the leaderboard after a two-over, 74. He's now in a tie for 13th and just a single stroke back of a tie for 10th.
Fletcher will enter Friday's final round three strokes back of ninth, four of seventh, and five of fifth.
Derek Benson, also of McCreary, stepped up his game on Thursday. He jumped 13 spots on the leaderboard and is in a tie for 49th. He shot a 76 on Thursday, one day after posting an 83.
Friday's final round is set to be a showdown. Jeremy Kirk of the Fort William Country Club leads at two-under while Allan McDonald is a single stroke back.
Todd Fanning, who had the round of the day on Thursday, enters Friday just two strokes back. He shot a 66 on Thursday.
Nine players are within five strokes. A Manitoba mid-amateur title is on the line on Friday at the St. Charles Golf & Country Club.
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The Ste. Rose Stingers U15 softball team has had a season to remember. Now this weekend, they will look to wrap up their stellar campaign with a bang.
The Stingers dominated their opponents throughout league play, going 10-0, and outscoring opponents, 183-59. Four of their wins came against U17 teams and they won their home tournament.
While the team can certainly hold their own offensively, they have set themselves apart with their great defence and pitching.
Coach Stephen Paradis had this to say on the team.
"It's a really good feeling as a coach knowing we can compete with any team in the province," said Paradis. "We understand we're not flying under the radar. We have a target on our back and I know the girls on our team embrace that and are looking forward to the challenge.
This year's roster includes Emry Rudkavich, Avaunna Gutek, Ava Thompson, Chayse Paradis, Ella Watson, Kaylee Maguet, Yelim Jun, Quillan Lynxleg, Ayva Hopfner, and Mckenlie Breland.
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The Grandview Lakers are firing on all cylinders.
They made it five straight wins on Wednesday and it wasn't even close. A superb pitching performance and dominant offensive performance saw the Lakers throttle the Yorkton Tigers, 25-0.
Reese Andres, Kaine Morran, Darian Giasson, and Branden Storey combined to complete a shutout on the mound.
Dave Elder, Jayce Legaarden, Derrick Pulock, Chet VonBargen, Kael Maxwell, and Ryan Shoemaker all contributed multiple hits for the red-hot Lakers.
The Lakers will look to keep it going when they play a key doubleheader on Sunday against the Saltcoats Lakers.
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Taylor Fletcher of McCreary is in the fight for a Manitoba title at the mid-amateur championships hosted by Golf Manitoba.
Fletcher posted a four-over, 76, in round one of the three-day event at the St. Charles Country Club.
Fletcher made birdies on 4, 6, 14, and 16. He's in a tie for 23rd and only two strokes back of ninth.
There are multiple spots allotted to the national tournament later this summer, something Fletcher will be aiming to accomplish.
Derek Benson shot an 11-over, 83. Patrick Perrin leads the tournament after a three-under, 69.
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The entire community of McCreary is still in celebration mode.
Brady Turko, one of the best players to ever come out of the community, was taken by the Anaheim Ducks in the seventh round, 200th overall, in this year's NHL Draft.
Turko is coming off a solid rookie season in the Western Hockey League with the Brandon Wheat Kings.
He hit his stride in the second half of the regular season and finished with seven goals and 26 points. He notched one assist in five playoff games as the team lost to the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Turko won a Manitoba provincial championship with the U18 Wheat Kings in the 2023-24 season. He scored the game-winning goal that sent Brandon to the Telus Cup after capturing the Telus Cup West Regional.
He posted 90 regular season points that year, 20 in the playoffs, and another 11 at the Telus Cup.
Turko will return to the Wheat Kings next season.
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Syd Tycholes did it at the age of 83.
Then it was Marie Sawyer's turn at the Gilbert Plains Country Club. The Parkland hole-in-one club has a new member and it was a shot that Sawyer will never forget.
With a smile on her face, Marie celebrated an ace on the ninth hole. It was the second hole-in-one in Gilbert Plains in as many weeks. Ron Chartrand also had one earlier this season.
The course is in fantastic shape, maybe it's your turn to execute the perfect shot.
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Before you know, we'll be back at the rink cheering on the Dauphin Kings.
After a memorable run to the league final, the team has had a busy off-season getting prepared for the 2025-26 season.
Doug Hedley returns as the team's head coach and general manager while the organization looks to find an assistant coach. Chad Facey is now with the Parkland U15 Rangers while Rick Freese has taken over the Parkland U18 Rangers.
The Kings have added four players to the fold, starting with Emrick Gagnon. From Quebec, the 19-year-old had 19 goals and 48 points last year with Nichols School in the United States High School Hockey League. Gagnon had 23 goals and 61 points the previous season with St. Francis High Prep in New York.
He made his debut late last season and certainly had an impact. William Spencer dropped the gloves in his debut with the team as a 16-year-old. Coming in with great size, Spencer had a goal and five assists from the back end last year with Rink Hockey Academy's U17 Prep team.
"William was great at our Prospects Camp in April. He's got good size, plays with an edge and is a great teammate," said Hedley.
Shea Chornley also made his debut with the Kings last season in Winkler against the Flyers. He did not look out of place. In his AAA season with the Winnipeg Bruins, Shea had 17 goals and 50 points across 44 games. He had six more points in eight playoff contests.
Shea was acquired in a trade with Neepawa last year.
"Shea has good size and speed. He'll be a great addition of the middle for us in 2025-26," continued Hedley.
Carter Unger will run through a wall. He will stand up for his teammates and should quickly become a fan favourite with his work ethic and tenacity. With the Pembina Valley Hawks last year, Unger scored seven times and had 12 points in 43 games. He also had a goal in three playoff games.
"Carter is a power forward that is a big physical presence on the ice. He's also a really great teammate," ended Hedley.
Elsewhere, the Kings reported a solid profit from last season, announced at the team's annual general meeting. The team's schedule for next season is here.
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Gabe Beaudin is no stranger to playing in front of large crowds and against the best of the best.
So when he represented Team Manitoba at Volleyball Canada's Canada Cup last year, he was right where he was meant to be. A left-side hitter who is crafty and can take over a set, Beaudin has put everything he has into the sport and is becoming the best version of himself on the court.
Have there been some bumps along the journey? Absolutely. But that's the case for every athlete. Beaudin also seems, however, to rise to the challenge and takes great pride in battling adversity head-on and conquering it.
Beaudin, who is entering his senior year at the DRCSS in the fall, was in Winnipeg last month trying out for the Manitoba U18 men's volleyball team. It was a three-day tryout, and when the final roster was announced, Beaudin was on it. Gabe making the roster didn't come as a surprise to many. He continually has proven that he is among the province's best at his age level.
"It's honestly a pretty big accomplishment. I'm very happy about it," said Beaudin. "To be considered one of the top 15 players in the province at the U18 level is a huge honour. It feels great to be a part of this team."
Beaudin is in Winnipeg training with the team daily, both in the gym and on the court. The squad is preparing to play in the 2025 Canada Cup in Ontario. The Canada Cup brings together Canada's next generation of high-performance athletes. The goal? A national title.
"It's super exciting. I attended the Canada Cup last year, and it was an amazing experience. The competition is extremely strong," offered Beaudin. "I couldn't be more excited to get going."
Beaudin is also an alternate for the Canada Summer Games team. He will step in should there be an injury. The Summer Games are from August 8 to 25 in St. John's, Newfoundland.
Before joining Team Manitoba, the Dauphin star had a great club season with Brandon Volleyball Club (BVC). They finished top three in every tournament they played in and ended fourth at the provincial championships. Beaudin got pneumonia at provincials and lost 15 pounds. He admits that it wasn't easy to come back from. But in Beaudin fashion, Gabe stuck with the process, stayed strong, and conquered. He ended up helping the team to a top 30 finish at the national championships.
As Gabe gets set to enter grade 12, it is time to start thinking about the future. His future will run through Brandon. Garnering plenty of interest from several universities from coast to coast, Beaudin has made his decision. The Dauphin standout will attend Brandon University after he graduates. That's where he'll join the national champion Brandon Bobcats men's volleyball team. Led by head coach Grant Wilson, fellow Dauphin star JJ Love helped the Bobcats win the national title earlier this year.
For Beaudin, passing up an opportunity to play for the Bobcats was just something he couldn't do.
"I've been around BU since grade nine. I've created a really strong connection with the coaching staff and players," offered Beaudin. "There's nowhere really like Brandon. I noticed that during my other visits. The way the players and everyone get treated in Brandon is very special."
Gabe will join the team in the 2026-27 season. And when you head to the Healthy Living Centre beginning that year, you'll be guaranteed to see Gabe's family and friends in the stands.
"That was another reason that I chose BU," offered Beaudin. "It's close to home and I'm familiar with it. My family and friends can come to my home games, which is very exciting."
Just like he had options for where he would play his university ball, Gabe also had options for his final year of high school. He could have stayed in Brandon. But, he's bringing his talents back to the City of Sunshine for one more run at a provincial championship. Beaudin will lead what is expected to be a very talented Clippers varsity boys volleyball team onto the court this year.
They've made noise over the past few years, and Gabe is hoping that the upcoming season is the team's best yet.
"This will be my fourth year with the varsity team," continued Beaudin. "Every year it feels like we're getting better. Hopefully, this year, we can make a deep run at the provincials."
Countless hours on the court and in the gym. Gabe has put everything he has into volleyball for as long as he can remember. He has never been handed anything; he has earned everything. He earned the right to represent the province on the national stage. He has earned the right to commit to playing university volleyball.
He's pleased with where he is, but he knows he hasn't reached his ceiling. With his skill set and dedication, Beaudin is ready to carve out a great career. Volleyball means everything to him, and there's no stopping him in his pursuit of greatness.
"I made the switch from basketball to volleyball in grade nine. I've had teammates from my Indigenous Games team that I'm still super close with," ended Beaudin. "Teammates in Winnipeg always offer a place to stay. It's more than a game to me. The connections I've made are just unreal."
Dedicated, skilled, passionate, and goal-driven. Watch out for Gabe Beaudin, he's soaring through the air finishing off attacks and providing monster blocks.
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The Ste. Rose Stingers U11 softball team has made plenty of noise this season.
Playing in a league with teams around the Parkland, including Roblin, Russell, Strathclair, Swan River, and Neepawa, to name a few, the Stingers have been in a class of their own for the majority of the season.
They've won seven of their eight games. The only league game they didn't win resulted in a tie against Roblin.
Dusty Rushinka is the team's head coach.
"These girls have done very well this season," said Rushinka. "It has been extremely impressive."
Rushinka said the key to success has been a few key returning players who have stepped up. He's also been impressed with the team's first-year players who came to play and impressed on and off the field.
"It's a heck of a squad. Everyone bought in to what myself and the rest of the coaches asked of them," offered Rushinka. "Every practice and game, they kept improving. They all have great attitudes and come to play."
The team also won a B-side championship at a tournament in Neepawa.
So with plenty of wins under their belt and confidence sky high, the team will look to translate that success in Manitoba's capital. The team heads to Winnipeg this weekend for the provincial championships at Buhler Recreation Park. It begins Friday and runs until Sunday evening, when a provincial champion will be crowned.
Ste. Rose is in Pool G with Timber Rock Home, Varsity View #2, Hamiota Red Sox, Springfield Heat, Warren, and Northwest - Baron. The tournament welcomes 54 of the best U11 softball teams in the province.
"It's a big tournament. Only the top two teams from each pool advance, so we expect to make the playoffs on Sunday," continued Rushinka. "That's our hope. I fully see us going that direction, if we continue to execute as we have all season."
Battling it out on the field this weekend will be Adrianna Rushinka, Harper Murray, Hudson Kolida, Jaycee Mertens, Natalie Houle, Madisyn Morden, Quinn Paradis, Zoe Pelypiw, Lexi Sliworsky, Khloe Bond, Jemma Maguet, Kacey Rezansoff, Blakely Kolida, and Juliet Maguet.
Dusty is looking forward to a great weekend of ball and knows the team is ready to challenge the best of the best at the U11 level.
"It's exciting to be a part of. The girls are looking forward to it, as is the coaching staff," ended Rushinka. "It's a good test. Everyone is ready to go and we're hoping to have a good showing."
Stay tuned to CKDM Sports throughout the weekend for results.
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Shawn McQuarrie and Chad Facey are ready to defend their title.
A $10,000 hole-in-one prize will be up for grabs. Several other cash prizes, a fantastic meal, and 18 holes on one of the nicest courses in the province. It's a dream event for golfers, and it's only a few weeks from go time at the Gilbert Plains Country Club.
The Parkland Source for Sports Battle for the Belts is back on Sunday, July 20. The two-person scramble is $160 per team. That includes your round, a meal, and a chance at great prizes. Power carts are an additional $25 per person.
"Registrations started slow, but they're starting to trickle in now," said Danny Scott, organizer. "That's usually the case with grad, countryfest, and the fair. With less than a month to go, we're pretty happy with where they are right now."
While the event will feature many of the top golfers in the region, that's not all. There will be scratch golfers and those who have a 40 handicap.
"We've always said it's just for fun. It's open to all calibres of golfers," said Scott. "It's a great day on the course, finished with a great meal. There are great prizes for golfers of all skill levels."
When heading to the GPCC, you'll notice the beautiful sign just before the bridge welcoming you to the club. That sign is thanks to Danny, Chris, and the crew. Money raised from past events went towards making that sign possible.
This year, more of the same. Many improvements at the club are powered by the Battle for the Belts two-person scramble.
"Yes, 100% of all money raised goes back to improvements at the GPCC, like it has in the past."
Don't miss out on one of the most enjoyable scrambles of the summer. To enter, call Danny at 572-7552 or Chris Todoruk at 648-7989.
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