Pictures from some of the top stories of the year in local sports, from baseball and soccer to hockey, softball and football. (File photos/battlefordsNOW)

By Martin Martinson

2023 Highlights, Top Stories

Reflecting back on the past year in local sports: Part 2

Dec 27, 2023 | 5:00 AM

As 2023 nears its end, battlefordsNOW is reflecting back on some of the top stories from the past year in local sports. Below is Part 2 in the series.

Longtime umpire, Clint Gieni recognized for contributions to the game

Over the last 30 years, no one has done more to grow the game of minor baseball, and the quality of the way it’s officiated at the grassroots level in the Battlefords, than Clint Gieni.

That’s why Gieni, who has been umpiring local baseball games in the community since the early 90s and served as Battlefords Minor Baseball president from 2018-23, was recognized this summer at Beaver Lions Stadium, before umpiring his final game ahead of retirement… Read more here.

Battlefords Youth Soccer named Member Organization of the Year

Helping hand

Big red sleigh brings holiday spirit to kick off Battlefords Empty Stocking Fund

14h ago

Battlefords North Stars

Big performance from Maric ends Red Wings win streak

16h ago

Riderville

Shades of 2007

Nov 15, 2024

Early in 2023, Battlefords Youth Soccer Inc. was recognized by the Saskatchewan Soccer Association as the 2022 Member Organization of the Year.

Of the more than 80 member organizations in the province, BYSI was recognized for their many partnerships with First Nations communities, their free soccer clinics for new Canadians through the Immigration Resource Centre, free clinics for low-income families and an increase in overall registrations… Read more here.

Brock Harrison wins Ball Hockey World Championship with Canada

It was a whirlwind week of travel, tropical weather, and international ball hockey competition capped off with a gold medal, that Battlefords native and current Warman resident Brock Harrison won’t soon forget.

Suiting up for Canada with the country’s ‘Masters Men’s 35+ team’ at the 4-on-4 World Ball Hockey Championship in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Harrison’s six points in eight tournament games led the team in scoring on their way to the top of the podium, as world champions on the international stage. Read more here.

Capping a red-letter week for Harrison, the World Championship gold came just a week after he set the new all-time scoring record for the Sask West Hockey League.

Hafford Vikings complete ‘drive-for-five’ with fifth straight provincial title

The Hafford Vikings continued their run of dominance in 2023, taking home their fifth straight 1A six-aside provincial football championship, with a thrilling 57-54 victory over the North Valley High Eagles, in Lemberg.

An epic come-from-behind victory to clinch the provincial title, head coach Ryan Barnstable said it took a mix of poise and relentlessness… Read more here.

Battlefords local receives inaugural Marilyn O’Driscoll Jr. Umpire of the Year Award

Battlefords local, Leah Beausoleil was recognized as the first-ever recipient of the Marilyn O’Driscoll Junior Umpire of the Year Award.

Presented to the umpire ‘who displays the most commitment, willingness to learn, and enjoyment of the game,’ the award was newly established by Softball Saskatchewan, in memory of Marilyn who dedicated much of her life to softball in the Battlefords and area, before her passing in late August… Read more here.

Wilkie/Meota continue senior hockey dominance

For the fifth time in the last seven seasons, the Wilkie Outlaws capped their season with champagne showers and a trophy in the team picture, as Sask West Hockey League champions.

The Outlaws topped the Macklin Mohawks 3-2 in sudden death overtime of Game 4, to clinch the title dramatically and reign victorious in the teams’ best-of-five finals showdown… Read more here.

Also continuing their dominance in recent years, the Meota Combines topped the senior hockey heap in the Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League (SPHL), clinching their second straight title, with a 4-0 sweep over Turtleford in the league finals.

The team won the deciding game 8-3 in Turtleford, to clinch the best-of-seven championship series, on their way to a 9-1 record overall on their postseason run… Read more here.

This concludes battlefordsNOW’s look back at some of the top stories from 2023 in the world of local sports. A series on the top North Stars’ stories from 2023 will begin on Dec. 28th at 5 a.m.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1