Tuesday 28 June 2022

Love for the game makes Valkyries go

Family feeling and championships result from football bond

The Valkyries celebrate a Grace McCorriston (#82) TD.
The Saskatoon Valkyries love the game of football, and the game has loved them back.

The base commonalty between everyone on Saskatoon’s storied Western Women’s Canadian Football League team is that they love the game. That has allowed players from all sorts of backgrounds to be able to come together.

Ultimately through that initial bond of the love for the game, the family atmosphere on the team developed.

On Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries completed a perfect 7-0 season taking the WWCFL Championship Game 36-6 over the Winnipeg-based Manitoba Fearless. The win marked the seventh time the Valkyries have won the WWCFL title dating back to the team’s and the league’s inaugural season in 2011.

The Valkyries celebrate winning their seventh WWCFL title.
Actually, the last time the Valkyries lost a game was way back on June 24, 2018, when they fell 14-10 to the Riot in Regina at Mosaic Stadium in that year’s WWCFL title game. Since that setback, the Valkyries have won 19 straight games including one contest by forfeit.

The winning streak included capturing the WWCFL crown on June 29, 2019 with a 25-3 victory over the Riot in Regina at Mosaic Stadium. The Valkyries dedicated that perfect 9-0 season to defensive position coach Justin Filteau, who passed away in a plane crash on June 1, 2019 with that campaign still in progress.

Jaime Lammerding (#21) carries the Valkyries flag to the field.
Filteau’s parents in father, Ron and mother, Nancy, took part in the coin toss before the Valkyries WWCFL title winning game on Saturday and were presented with Justin’s championship ring from 2019.

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world, the 2020 and 2021 WWCFL campaigns were cancelled. The Valkyries were able to take the field in 2021 winning every outing in a three-game exhibition series against the Riot.

This season the Valkyries returned to the field with a great mix of veterans and first and second year players. The second-year players all got their first taste playing for the squad in the 2021 exhibition series against the Riot.

Ashley Viklund (#65) locks up on a block for the Valkyries.
The fact that so many veterans returned after two years of not playing an actual regular season or post-season games speaks highly to the culture on the team. On top of loving the game, the family atmosphere is so good you couldn’t imagine not having the teammates, coaches and staff on the Valkyries in your life.

For the newcomers that are in their first and second years, they found an atmosphere that was so welcoming they immediately felt a sense of belonging. It is another aspect that adds to the Valkyries machine and allows it to go.

The atmosphere is so good on the Valkyries that you see someone like star defensive tackle Jaime Lammerding return to the field year after year playing a position that is taxing physically. She took the field with the Valkyries in their first season back in 2011.

Rienna Rueve punts the ball for the Valkyries.
When she let it be known the 2022 campaign would be her last ride season as a player, the Valkyries made sure she went out on a high note. Lammerding has added the most to the Valkyries upbeat culture over the years.

Away from the field, she took up a leadership role serving as president of the WWCFL taking on countless volunteer hours that go with that role.

Linebacker Beth Lalonde has been with the Valkyries since their inaugural season and would have played in 2022 had it not been for an injury she sustained before the start of the regular season. She still remained with the team helping coach the linebackers throughout the season.

Another hero that has kept the Valkyries motoring along behind the scenes has been Michelle Duchene, who help found the team and has been the club’s general manager since its inception. Usually, someone in a volunteer leadership role like Duchene holds stays in that spot for about five years before taking a break.

Emmarae Dale (#45) and Danaye Holynski (#55) team on a tackle.
With the Valkyries, no one has to worry about who is at the helm, because Duchene has always been there. A lot of the family feeling with the team starts there with her.

Players who were once rivals have been adopted into the Valkyries family like former Riot members in left guard Ashley Vikland and receiver Rachelle Smith. Life brought Vikland to Saskatoon in 2018 and the Smith to “The Bridge City” in 2019.

Vikland was a member of two WWCFL title winning teams with the Riot, and Smith was with the Regina side for all three of their WWCFL championships.

When they came to the Valkyries, it seemed like they played their entire football lives with the team earning two more WWCFL championships in 2019 and 2022.

Alex Eyolfson had arguably her best season with the Valkyries.
Like Lammerding, Vikland has elected to hang up the cleats on a stellar playing career following the completion of the 2022 campaign.

Veteran quarterback Alex Eyolfson radiates a vibe that makes you feel like everything is going to be alright even if things go wrong. She arguably had her best season guiding an offence that was veteran heavy with players like receivers Reed Thorstad, Ricki Obed, left tackle Alyssa Funk, centre Alex Wojcichowsky, right tackle Betsy Mawdsley, right guard Lauren Ferguson and running back Sarah Wright.

Saskatoon got a lot of key performances from big play third year receiver in Haley Girolami.

All-time great Valkyries running back Sam Matheson suffered a season ending knee injury in the team’s second regular season game but remained with the squad helping coach the running backs.

Valkyries LB Sydney Schenn (#57) pressures the quarterback.
The defence was led by the veteran presence of middle linebacker Emmarae Dale along with Lammerding. The defensive secondary got a boost when Rienna Rueve, who has been with the club since 2012, elected to return to the lineup as a player after two games as injuries started to add up. Rueve handled punting duties too upon her return.

Ninth-year defensive back Shaylyn De Jong also helped out in the coaching department after her season came to an end with a leg injury.

Receiver Kelsey Murphy, who has been with the Valkyries since 2014, and fourth year pass catcher Danielle Girolami bolstered the defensive playing safety and defensive halfback respectively.

Sarah Wright breaks downfield on a long run.
Defensive end Danaye Holynski and linebacker Jamie Wingate, who both joined the Valkyries in the 2019 WWCFL championship season, solidified star status with the big plays they made in 2022.

The first and second year players brought spunk and a kick butt youthful energy to the team. The second year players that brought spark included defensive back Makayla Sader, defensive end Arden Kliewer, running back and kicker Drew Lundquist and receiver and kicker Grace McCorriston.

Defensive back Jackie Semple-Dyck, Grace Farthing on the defensive line, linebackers Kiara Willick and Sydney Schenn and offensive guard Breanna Allgretto made immediate big impacts on the team as rookies.

About eight first or second years players on average usually started on defence as injuries piled up on that side of the ball this past season.

The Valkyries start celebrating their WWCFL championship win.
In practice under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff led by head coach Pat Barry, defensive coordinator Wyatt Carleton and offensive coordinator Caleb Dueck, the Valkyries efficiently get a tonne of work done in practices and video sessions.

When no one is watching, the Valkyries are doing what they need to do to get better and the results show up on the field.

Overall, the Valkyries are able to go from the simple fact that they love the game of football. From there, the family atmosphere and the stellar play on the field comes around naturally.

The Valkyries have fun with the WWCFL championship trophy.
Even when world events beyond anyone’s control causes stoppages and prevents championship games from being played for a couple of years, the Valkyries come back better than ever.

The memories and culture that was in place before those stoppages was remembered and helped the Valkyries move forward like no time had passed when everything started rolling again.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Saturday 25 June 2022

Valkyries give Lammerding WWCFL title winning sendoff

Saskatoon downs Fearless 36-6 for seventh league crown

Jaime Lammerding raises the WWCFL championship trophy.
Jaime Lammerding’s playing days with the Saskatoon Valkyries wrapped up with a familiar championship high.

On Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries romped past the Manitoba Fearless 36-6 in the WWCFL Championship Game. The Valkyries have won the WWCFL title seven out of the 10 times it has been handed out, and Lammerding has played on all of Saskatoon’s championship teams.

The star defensive tackle began playing for the Valkyries in their inaugural season back in 2011 when the first WWCFL season was played. She was elated to wrap up her playing career with a championship win at home.

Jaime Lammerding runs off the field for the final time.
“It is just an extra special treat,” said Lammerding, whose Valkyries completed the 2022 campaign with a perfect 7-0 record. “I remember starting with the Valkyries 12 years ago.

“Just to be able to do it at home and go out on top, it is almost undescribable it is so great.”

Inside of the game’s final 10 seconds, the Valkyries head coach Pat Barry ensured Lammerding got a final salute from the crowd in attendance. With the Valkyries on defence, Barry called a timeout to substitute Lammerding out of the game.

She came off to the sideline to a rousing ovation from the crowd and her teammates on the Valkyries sidelines. Once she reached the Valkyries bench area, Lammerding hugged defensive coordinator Wyatt Carleton, Barry and then numerous other coaches and players on the squad.

Jaime Lammerding, left, hugs Valkyries DC Wyatt Carleton.
“The original plan was that I was going to go take the victory formation as quarterback, so I was going to get my old rep as quarterback in my career with negative yardage,” said Lammerding. “It just didn’t work out that way, so it was nice that they pulled me out to just have an emotional kind of run off kind of thing.

“It was great.”

Barry said the Valkyries were pretty motivated to help Lammerding, who is also the president of the WWCFL, conclude her playing days on a championship winning high.

Jaime Lammerding, left, hugs Valkyries HC Pat Barry.
“We all feel very strongly about her,” said Barry, who team has won 19 straight games overall. “She is such a great leader.

“She is a great mentor for the athletes on our team. She is just going to be the next in line of someone who is working with women’s football. We have a number of coaches on our team who are former players, and they are great coaches.

“They are grass roots coaches, and they do a lot of great things. I see ‘Dinger’ (Lammerding) being that in the future.”

In the WWCFL Championship game itself, the Valkyries steadily pulled away from the Fearless in order to win by a convincing margin.

Jaime Lammerding (#21) is pictured with the Valkyries D-line.
At the 9:27 mark of the first quarter, Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright ran home a touchdown from six yards out to give the host side a 7-0 lead. Wright’s major score capped a drive that covered 94 yards.

That drive was also kept alive by Wright running for a first down on a third down gamble.

Before the first quarter came to an end, the Valkyries extended their lead to 14-0, when star quarterback Alex Eyolfson hit veteran receiver Ricki Obed with an 18-yard touchdown toss.

Sarah Wright runs in the Valkyries first touchdown.
Just 59 seconds into the second quarter, Eyolfson hit second-year receiver Grace McCorriston on a beauty over the shoulder fade pattern in the end zone for a 16-yard scoring strike. The Valkyries lead stood at 20-0, when the ensuing conversion attempt was muffed.

With 4:45 remaining in the second quarter, the Valkyries defence hit the scoreboard with middle linebacker Emmarae Dale returning an interception 64 yards for a touchdown. The Valkyries went for a two-point conversion attempt, but Eyolfson’s pass attempt was incomplete to make the score sit at 26-0 for the host side.

Wright thought the Valkyries got great contributions from everyone on their roster.

“Honestly, the Fearless are a great team, and they are getting better each year, and we can’t take that for granted,” said Wright. “As we came into this week, we knew that everyone had a job to do, and they are obviously watching film and studying us.

Alex Eyolfson threw three TD passes for the Valkyries.
“We kind of had to come up with some different plays and different looks, and those worked today.”

In the third quarter, McCorriston hit a field goal from 30 yards out to increase the Valkyries lead to 29-0. Before the stanza expired, Eyolfson connected with Obed for a 14-yard touchdown pass to give the Valkyries a 36-0 advantage.

The Fearless got on the scoreboard at the 3:50 mark of the fourth quarter when quarterback Madison Siwicki hit receiver Morgan Moffatt with an eight-yard touchdown toss. The ensuing conversion attempt was blocked making the final score round out at 36-6.

Before Saturday’s contest, the Valkyries won the WWCFL title the last time it was contested back in 2019.

The 2020 and 2021 WWCFL campaigns were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world. The Valkyries were able to get on the field in 2021 winning all the contests in a three-game exhibition series against the Regina Riot.

Grace McCorriston (#82) sets to make a touchdown catch.
Barry said it meant a lot to the team to win the champions at home with everything that has happened over the past couple of years, because the moment could be enjoyed with family and friends. The Valkyries also hadn’t won a WWCFL title at home since 2014, when they captured the league crown at Griffiths Stadium on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan.

The Valkyries began playing their home games out of SMF Field at the start of the 2015 campaign.

“It feels so good to have something that feels kind of normal again,” said Barry. “We’re super excited about it.

“We’ve never won a championship on this field. It has never happened. This is a first for us for our team.

The fans at SMF Field cheer on the Valkyries.
“I’m very happy. I’m so proud of the whole team.”

Wright was named the game’s most valuable player for the Valkyries carrying the ball 20 times for 157 yards and one touchdown. She also had a 14 yard catch to go with her production along the ground.

The multipurpose running back was surprised to be named the game’s MVP for her team.

“I definitely think that there were a few other girls that played their heart out today, and we’re very deserving of it,” said Wright. “I’ll take it, but again, it was definitely a team environment and group.

Danaye Holynski (#55) had 12.5 total tackles for the Valkyries.
“There were a handful of girls that should have got that too.”

Having joined the Valkyries in 2017, Wright was part of the championship win in 2019, and she pumped to win the WWCFL title in 2019.

“I’m so happy,” said Wright. “It is so great to be at home actually.

“Having everyone come on to the field and we’re able to talk to everyone, it means the world. When they (the hometown fans) are cheering so loud in the stands, that brings that environment, and I feel like that definitely played into the game today.”

Eyolfson finished the contest completing 16-of-27 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns without throwing any interceptions. 

Ricki Obed had 107 yards receiving and two TDs for the Valkyries.
Obed led all receivers with eight catches for 107 yards and scored two touchdowns. She also carried the ball twice for eight yards and returned three punts for 24 yards.

Siwicki completed 11-of-23 passes for 106 yards and one touchdown, while throwing two interceptions for the Fearless. Running back Hallie Eggie was named the game MVP for the Fearless carrying the ball 18 times for 60 yards.

Valkyries defensive end Danaye Holynski piled up a game high 12.5 total tackles in the win. Dale had eight total tackles to go with her interception for a touchdown.

Saskatoon safety Kelsey Murphy had an interception, while defensive backs Rienna Rueve and Kendal Matheson each had one fumble recovery.

Kelsey Murphy (#85) makes an interception for the Valkyries.
Defensive back Taylor Post topped the Fearless with 7.5 total tackles.

The Fearless entered Saturday’s game riding a five-game winning streak and finished the 2022 campaign with a 5-2 mark.

For the Valkyries, the biggest memory from Saturday’s contest will be the fact that Lammerding was able to conclude her playing time on a championship winning note. Wright was pleased she could help Lammerding go out on a high.

“She (Lammerding) means pretty much everything,” said Wright. “She has been around since the inauguration of our team.

The Valkyries celebrate winning the WWCFL Championship Game.
“Every year she has been sort of a grounding person and honestly the focal point of our family environment. She is pretty much the program, so we will take her in the future however she can come coach wise or anywise. She is just an anchor point.”

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Friday 24 June 2022

Valkyries aim to make good on rare home WWCFL title game

Saskatoon faces Fearless in Saturday championship showdown

Rienna Rueve (#7) reacts to making an interception for the Valkyries.
The 2022 Saskatoon Valkyries season has been a bonus one for Rienna Rueve.

Having played with the Valkyries since the start of the 2012 campaign mainly at safety while taking on duties in the kicking game, Rueve was not expecting to suit up this season.

“I thought I was taking this season off as I got surgery on my foot in December,” said Rueve. “Somehow, (Valkyries head coach) Pat (Barry) got me sneaking in to help with some kicking coaching, and from there, he was like, ‘I bet maybe you could try punting.’”

The request about punting came when the Valkyries lost all-time great running back Sam Matheson, who handles punting duties, the season due to a knee injury in the team’s second game. All of a sudden, Rueve found herself donning her customary number seven jersey.

Rienna Rueve punts the ball for the Valkyries.
From that point, injuries started to pile up on defence, and Rueve was back in the mix taking on a starting role at cornerback. In the Valkyries 52-0 victory over the Edmonton Storm last Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Rueve had an interception and a fumble recovery.

On Saturday at 7 p.m. at SMF Field, Rueve will be trying to help the Valkyries (6-0) win their seventh WWCFL title taking on the Manitoba Fearless (5-1). Rueve was a member of five out of the Valkyries previous six WWCFL championship teams helping the Saskatoon side win league titles in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2019. The 2014 title victory marks the last time the Valkyries won the WWCFL crown at home.

Unlike those previous title winning campaigns, Rueve wasn’t training with the Valkyries in the off-season to take the field with the team in 2022.

“It is different,” said Rueve. “I still don’t feel like I have been as invested as I am regularly from start to finish just as this hasn’t been my season.

Rienna Rueve (#7) dives for a fumble recovery for the Valkyries.
“Everything is kind of a bonus. I’m still playing football, and for every game I get to play, I’m super thankful for. It is still a championship game.”

Rueve is used to making big plays on defence. The big plays she made against the Storm helped her feel more like she normally feels on game days taking on roles on defence and special teams.

“It makes punting better,” said Rueve. “It is hard for me just to punt.

“I don’t feel like that is my primary position, so I need to be moving around in order to kind of clear my mind enough to do (punting) and it is good. It was fun moving around. It (playing cornerback) was a different position from what I have been playing the last few years.

Rienna Rueve is playing cornerback on defence for the Valkyries.
“I think it has kind of been nice just to focus on a couple things at a time and take my time and no real pressure to get into the full swing of things. It is all a bonus.”

Saturday will mark the first time the WWCFL Championship game was held since June 29, 2019, when the Valkyries downed the host Riot in Regina 25-3 at Mosaic Stadium. The 2020 and 2021 WWCFL campaigns were cancelled due to the world being in the grips of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Valkyries were able to play a three-game exhibition series against the Riot in 2021.

This season, the Valkyries and Fearless met once way back in Week 1 on May 1, when Saskatoon claimed a 43-14 victory at SMF Field against the Winnipeg-based club. Since that encounter, the Fearless have won five straight entering the WWCFL Final.

Hallie Eggie has had a strong season for the Fearless.
They advanced to the WWCFL title game for the first time in team history downing the Rage in Calgary 15-6 in the other WWCFL semifinal that was held this past Saturday.

Barry expects the Fearless to provide a tough challenge. Fearless running back Hallie Eggie has had an outstanding season, while quarterback Madison Siwicki has provided steady leadership calling signals.

Andrea Backlund and Julie Sprague are the cornerstones of a strong offensive line.

Brooklyn Dyce and Nura Muhindo anchor the Fearless defence from the defensive line, while defensive back Nicole Drouin keeps things steady in the secondary.

Eggie, Backlund, Sprague, Dyce, Muhindo and Drouin are all members of Football Canada’s National Women’s Team.

“On defence, they have some outstanding players, and they are a problem,” said Barry. “We have to account for them.

The Valkyries defence will aim to clamp down on the Fearless offence.
“Eggie number 20, she is an outstanding running back. She gets better the more carries she gets, so that is always a concern. Their quarterback, she is willing to throw it, and she has some receivers. 

“On special teams, they have players who cover hard, work hard, they block and they catch. They do a lot of things right. They are well coached.”

Of course, the Valkyries have a loaded roster with 12 players cracking the main roster Football Canada’s National Women’s Team. That list includes Emmarae Dale (MLB), Lauren Ferguson (OL), Alyssa Funk (OL), Haley Girolami (R), Danaye Holynski (DL), Arden Kliewer (DL), Beth Lalonde (LB), Betsy Mawdsley (OL), Ricki Obed (R), Reed Thorstad (QB/R), Ashley Viklund (OL) and Sarah Wright (RB).

Alex Eyolfson (#15) is having arguably her best season for the Valkyries.
Matheson was placed on the reserve list with her knee injury.

On top of the presence of National Team players, Valkyries quarterback Alex Eyolfson is having arguably her best season ever.

Saturday’s WWCFL title game will be the last game veteran defensive tackle Jaime Lammerding plays for the Valkyries. Lammerding has played for the Valkyries since their first season in 2011.

“It is a mix of emotions,” said Lammerding. “It is kind of odd feelings.

DT Jaime Lammerding got to run the ball in a WWCFL semifinal.
“I know some things are going to be my last things that I am doing. It is weird to kind of make it all make sense in my head like when I do my speech here it all kind of jumbles together. I want to be happy, and I am still sad.

“It is just tough.”

Lammerding enjoyed the fact she got to carry the ball a couple of times on offence in the Valkyries WWCFL semifinal win over the Storm.

“I started off playing running back with the Valkyries,” said Lammerding. “It was kind of more of a throwback.

“It was a treat of course, but it was kind of a throwback to my early days. It was great to get in there. Luckily, they gave me a simple play, where I just had to run left or right and just take the ball so that was good.

Jaime Lammerding (#21) lines up at defensive end.
“It was great to get in there. It is always so nice. Everybody is always behind you so much whenever anybody gets to do something neat and different.”

She added it is cool that her final game will be in a WWCFL title game at home.

“I think it is extra special,” said Lammerding. “It wasn’t really a thought when I decided this was going to be my final year was that we would have the championship here, because who knows if we were going to make it or not.

“I think it ends off everything on just that extra special note that cherry on top.”

Barry said he has been thankful for what Lammerding and Rueve have done for the team over the years. He expects both will play key roles in helping the Valkyries try to win the WWCFL Championship game on Saturday.

The Valkyries aim to raise their helmets for victory on Saturday.
“They are quality people, and they know what they are doing,” said Barry. “We can put them in various situations, and they excel.

“When they are both on the field, it is just their confidence. Their confidence spreads, and it helps everybody on the field.”

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Thursday 23 June 2022

WWCFL Final makes a great time to reconnect with Valkyries

Jaime Lammerding, left, and Betsy Mawdsley lead the Valkyries to the field.
The last time the Saskatoon Valkyries won the WWCFL title at home was 2014.

With all that has happened in the world, the feels like an eternity ago.

In 2014, Stephen Harper was the prime minister of Canada and Barack Obama was president of the United States of America. Hit songs from that year included “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX, “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift and “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor.

The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl, the Los Angeles Kings claimed the Stanley Cup, the San Antonio Spurs captured the NBA title, the San Francisco Giants got their hands on the World Series and the Calgary Stampeders took home the Grey Cup.

The Valkyries celebrate winning the WWCFL title in 2014.
Beily’s Ultralounge and The Sutherland Bar were jumping night hotspots in the City of Saskatoon. Both of those places no longer exist.

The opportunities to win the WWCFL title at home are rare even for the Saskatoon Valkyries, who have won the league championship six times.

The last time the Valkyries won the WWCFL Championship game at home was on July 5, 2014 in a 53-0 romp over the Lethbridge Steel. That contest was played at Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

That was also the farewell game for Valkyries star quarterback Candace Bloomquist. She was named the game’s MVP completing 21-of-30 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns.

Bloomquist was calling signals for the Valkyries, when they won the WWCFL title the first four times it was contested from 2011 to 2014.

QB Alex Eyolfson and the Valkyries offence has been stellar.
For the 2015 campaign, the Valkyries moved into their new regular home venue in the newly renovated Saskatoon Minor Football Field. On Saturday at 7 p.m., the Valkyries (6-0) host the Manitoba Fearless (5-1) in this year’s WWCFL Championship game at SMF Field.

If you haven’t seen the Valkyries play in some time, Saturday is the perfect time to reconnect with Saskatoon’s elite level women’s football squad that has built a storied history since first hitting the field in 2011.

Since 2014, the Valkyries have won the WWCFL title twice. On June 25, 2016, they romped over the Edmonton Storm 81-6 at University of Lethbridge Community Stadium in Lethbridge, Alta., and on June 29, 2019, the Valkyries downed the host Riot in Regina 25-3 at Mosaic Stadium.

The Valkyries also made it to the WWCFL Championship game on June 24, 2018 falling 14-10 in classic defensive battle to the host Riot in Regina at Mosaic Stadium.

Since 2014, the Valkyries played host to the WWCFL title contest on one occasion leading too this season back on June 10, 2017. The Valkyries didn’t make it to the championship clash that year and a number of players were on hand to watch the Riot hammer the Calgary Rage 53-0 at SMF Field.

Emmarae Dale is one of the Valkyries leaders on defence.
For the longest time, the Valkyries used to draw about 800 to 1,000 spectators to each of their games. With the mainstream media outlets cutting their sports departments in Saskatoon to one or maybe two persons in recent years and the folding of the Saskatoon Metro daily commuter newspaper in late 2014 and the Saskatoon Express weekly in May of 2019, word about how well the Valkyries are doing has been harder to spread.

During the team’s first six seasons of existence from 2011 to 2016, mainstream outlets used to do a number of feature stories on Saskatoon’s women’s football squad that takes the field during the spring season.

The spring season allowed the Valkyries to avoid schedule conflicts with the CJFL and U Sports and the CFL a lot of times. Thanks to the timing of their season, they were able to build interest in their team locally.

This year’s Valkyries squad has been a fun as ever to follow. On the field, they play the game extremely well, and off the field, they are as personable as ever.

They are the perfect bunch for young girls to look up too as role models. The Valkyries players have a great uplifting positive vibe that young girls will come away from interactions with them feeling they can do anything.

Haley Girolami is one of the many Valkyries offensive playmakers.
The offence under the guidance of veteran quarterback Alex Eyolfson, who has been with the team since 2016, might rank with one of the best the Valkyries has ever had. She has numerous playmakers to get the ball out too in running backs Sarah Wright and Drew Lundquist along with receivers Haley Girolami, Reed Thorstad, Ricki Obed and Rachelle Smith.

The Valkyries lost all-time great running back Sam Matheson to a season ending knee injury during their second regular season game in 2022, but she has remained with club lending a hand with coaching her teammates that play her position.

The offensive line is veteran heavy with Lauren Ferguson, Alyssa Funk, Betsy Mawdsley, Ashley Viklund, and Alex Wojcichowsky, and they have played at a super human level all season. Rookie Breanna Allegretto has played well seeing some significant time on the offensive line as an injury replacement, and she has looked like she has played for the Valkyries for a number of years.

On defence, middle linebacker Emmarae Dale might be the unit’s most famous player having played with the historic CJFL powerhouse Saskatoon Hilltops last season. Dale along with third-year linebacker Jamie Wingate kick a bunch of butt on the field and have hearts of gold as persons.

Danaye Holynski brings intensity to the Valkyries defence.
Defensive end Danaye Holynski is arguably the hardest hitter on the Valkyries defence and brings great intensity every game. Second year defensive end Arden Kliewer has taken to the physical aspect of the game too and her sharp focus from playing goal for the University of Regina Cougars Women’s Hockey Team has transferred over to the football field.

The Valkyries have had a number of first and second year players step up and be playmakers as injuries piled up on that side of the ball. Linebacker Sydney Schenn, Grace Farthing on the defensive line and defensive backs Makayla Sader and Jackie Semple-Dyck have ensured the Valkyries defence hasn’t missed a beat.

Saturday’s WWCFL title contest will be the final game for defensive tackle Jaime Lammerding, who has been with the Valkyries since 2011. She has served as president of the WWCFL and has played a huge role in helping women’s football gain traction in Western Canada and move forward.

Defensive back and punter Rienna Rueve returned to the team at first to help with the kicking game with Matheson, who also punts, went down with her knee injury. Besides looking after the punting department, Rueve has returned to her past star form in the defensive secondary.

The Valkyries offensive line has had an outstanding season.
Linebacker Beth Lalonde, who has been with the Valkyries since they started in 2011, hasn’t played this season due to injury but continues to help out the team in any way she can.

The Valkyries again have a stellar coaching staff led by head coach Pat Barry, defensive coordinator Wyatt Carleton and offensive coordinator Caleb Dueck. The Valkyries players constantly make big improvements during practices and film sessions thanks to the outstanding work by the team’s coaches.

Behind the scenes, Valkyries general manager Michelle Duchene ensures all the administration and details off the field are never a worry.

The Valkyries are a group that always makes you feel good.

When adversity comes, you almost know and expect the Valkyries to find a way to persevere. Witnessing those types of storylines play out again brings back memories of their past season and feels right and familiar.

Jaime Lammerding (#21) will play her final game on Saturday.
For residents of Saskatoon, you know that the Valkyries are going to make you feel proud, and the chance to see them win the WWCFL title at home on Saturday is something that is too good to pass up.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Wednesday 22 June 2022

Linklater humbled to be part of Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame

Michael Linklater is a Saskatoon all-time great in basketball.
Going into any sports Hall of Fame was never on the radar for Michael Linklater.

The long time star guard just played basketball for the love of the game. Along the way, he helped his hometown University of Saskatchewan Huskies win a U Sport national men’s basketball championship in 2010 as team captain and hometown Saskatchewan Rattlers capture a Canadian Elite Basketball Title in his final season as a player in 2019.

On Wednesday during a press conference at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds, Linklater, who is 39-years-old, was announced as part of the 2022 class to enter the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame in the athletes category.

“At first, it is kind of hard to believe for myself,” said Linklater. “When you start playing, you don’t think about being in Hall of Fames.

“You just play for the love of the game. When I let it set in, it is humbling, and it is also an honour at the same time. This is exciting, because it my first time being inducted into any Hall of Fame.

“What a great place to be inducted Treaty 6 Territory and my home of Saskatoon.”

Linklater is entering the Hall along with eight other individuals and the 2004-05 University of Saskatchewan Huskies Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Teams, who both won U Sports national titles. The Saskatoon Hilltops were honoured by the Hall as the Sport Organization of the Year.

Michael Linklater, left, shakes the hand of fellow inductees.
The induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Prairieland Park. The 2022 class was the first class announced by the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame since 2019. The Hall didn’t induct any classes in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world.

Linklater began honing his skills as one of the most imaginative and creative guards to come out of Saskatoon on the outdoor court at St. Mary’s Elementary School at age 11. He went on to play for the Mount Royal Collegiate Mustangs boys’ basketball team during his high school years.

His post-secondary career saw him spend time with the United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, N.D., the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Trojans in Calgary, Alta., and the Lakeland College Rustlers Lloydminster, which is located on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Linklater concluded his post-secondary school career during the 2009-10 U Sports championship campaign with the Huskies, which was his second stint with the team. They entered the elite-eight U Sports championship tournament at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ont., having won the Canada West Conference title for the first time in program history.

At the U Sports championship tournament, the Huskies defeated the defending U Sports Champion and tournament host Carleton University Ravens 86-82 in a semifinal with Linklater making a key three-point shot with 46 seconds remaining in the contest. The Ravens had won the U Sports title in six of the previous seven years.

Michael Linklater won a U Sports title with the Huskies.
In the U Sports title game played on March 21, 2010, the Huskies downed the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 91-81 for the program’s first national title.

“For me, that was one of the biggest highlights of my career and my life,” said Linklater, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 200 pounds. “We were so fortunate to come through so many obstacles over that season, and to come out with that championship was big for us.

“I remember at the end of the season when (head) coach Greg Jockims was talking to the public, and he mentioned that it takes a bit of luck in there. In that moment, I didn’t like him saying that there was luck involved. Looking back, now I understand that there is a bit of luck involved in terms of the way sometimes the ball bounces and in terms of escaping injuries and overcoming a lot of those adversities.

“Looking back, it was a tremendous season and one of the highlights of my championships was both of my grandparents were there. Unfortunately, my late grandfather passed away, so he wasn’t there to see the Rattlers championship. That 2010 championship means a lot to me.”

Following the U Sports championship win with the Huskies, Linklater continued to play basketball.

He played in the North American Indigenous Game in Victoria, B.C., Winnipeg, Man., and Denver, Colorado. Linklater is proud of his Indigenous heritage and always strives to be a role model for Indigenous youth.

Starting in 2012, Linklater played seven seasons on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.

Michael Linklater drives the ball in a 3x3 game in 2017.
While still playing on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour circuit, Linklater joined the Rattlers in 2019 and was reunited with Jockims, who was serving as the team’s head coach and general manager that season. On August 25, 2019, Linklater played his final game helping the Rattlers down the Hamilton Honey Badgers 94-83 at the SaskTel Centre to capture the inaugural CEBL championship.

The Rattlers hosted that inaugural CEBL championship tournament after posting an 11-9 regular season record.

“For me, it was kind of like my post-secondary career coming full circle and being able to finish it at home with my family here,” said Linklater. “Being able to come full circle and finish at home in front of my family and again with a stroke of luck for us to actually host the championships here in Saskatoon was something that I’ll take with me for the rest of my life.”

During Wednesday’s press conference, Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame president Bob Reindl listed off Linklater’s accomplishments along with the rest of the incoming inductees. At that moment, Linklater said he could see his playing career flash before his eyes.

“It is interesting, because when you are a kid and you start playing a sport that you love you just take it one day at a time,” said Linklater, who is still involved in basketball as a coach and administrator. “You start to think about your future in terms of where you want to be.

“For myself, I’ve been so fortunate enough to be able to accomplish the goals that I set for myself with respect to my sport. Looking back and hearing all the accomplishments as well as the other inductees and their accomplishments, it lets me just kind of sit and think about, ‘Wow. What a career that a lot of people have had including myself.’ It is exciting.”

Brian Shalovelo, left, shakes hands with Bob Reindl.
Joining Linklater in the 2022 class includes in the athlete category Ken Achs in drag racing, David Wassill in adaptive water-skiing, Ron Friesen in diving, Tim Kroeker in baseball, Natalie Lukiw in volleyball and Cory Mantyka in football. Entering the Hall in the builders category are Mark Loehndorf in multi-sports including softball, football and wrestling, and Brian Shalovelo in softball and hockey.

The Huskies Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Teams won U Sports titles in 2004-05 under the guidance of head coaches Ivan Tam and Scott St. Pierre.

The venerable Hilltops were the Sport Organization of the Year having won 22 CJFL championships since first hitting the field in 1947. Current Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant is Canada’s all-time leader in career post-secondary head coaching victories currently sitting at 218 wins, which includes 13 CJFL title victories.

Linklater said he marveled at the class he was going in with.

“I think it is a tremendous class to be a part of, and I’m really honoured,” said Linklater. “Hearing all of the accomplishments that a lot of the other inductees have achieved throughout their careers is inspiring.

From left, David Wassill, Brian Shalovelo and Mark Loehndorf share a laugh.
“The work that they put in for basically longer than I’ve been alive inspires me that there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of sports and development. There are a lot of up and coming athletes and builders who are doing tremendous work. I’ll be looking forward to seeing the future.”

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Sunday 19 June 2022

Valkyries storm over Storm, advance to WWCFL title game

Ricki Obed, centre, celebrates her TD catch for the Valkyries.
For Ricki Obed, it never gets old going to the WWCFL Championship game.

On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Obed contributed in receiving, rushing and kick return departments helping her Saskatoon Valkyries blank the Edmonton Storm 52-0 in a WWCFL semifinal improving to 6-0 overall. The Storm finished the campaign with a 3-2 overall mark.

Obed scored the Valkyries third touchdown of the contest hauling a 17-yard pass reception from star quarterback Alex Eyolfson early in the second quarter to give the hosts a 24-0 lead.

When the game came to a close, Obed caught three passes for 27 yards including her major score, ran the ball three times for 26 yards and returned four punts for 47 yards totaling 100 all-purpose yards. A member of the Valkyries since the 2016 campaign, Obed will be heading to her fourth WWCFL title game with the team.

Ricki Obed had 100 all-purpose yards for the Valkyries.
In her three previous WWCFL final appearances, Obed helped the Valkyries win the championship in 2016 and 2019 while falling in the 2018 title contest.

Unlike those other three WWCFL title game appearances, this year’s championship game will be held this coming Saturday at 7 p.m. at SMF Field against the Manitoba Fearless (5-1). The Fearless advanced to the championship game taking the other WWCFL semifinal 15-6 over the Rage (3-2) in Calgary this past Saturday.

No matter where the WWCFL Championship game is played, Obed said those opportunities always feel special. She said the fact the Valkyries got everyone on their roster sizable playing time in the win over the Storm heading into a championship game at home puts an extra jump in the step.

Valkyries receiver Ricki Obed (#28) slips past a defender.
“It is very exciting, especially after a game like this,” said Obed. “We got a lot of our rookies in, and they made some big plays, which is obviously so exciting to see.

“Going back to the ‘ship,’ it is so exciting, especially with it being at home.”

Obed started her career with the Valkyries as a running back. Due to the team’s depth at that position, she later moved to receiver and is open to getting on the field any way she can.

“There is a lot of talent on this offence,” said Obed, who was named last month to Football Canada’s National Team at receiver. “Any time you can be a part of it and moving the ball, it is very exciting.

Alex Eyolfson threw two touchdown passes for the Valkyries.
“This offence is so good too. We’re jelling amazingly. We’ve played with each other for a long time, so it is like playing for each other and playing for that person beside you for sure.

“It is awesome.”

The Valkyries offence got rolling early with Eyolfson hitting star receiver Haley Girolami for a 32-yard touchdown pass off a bubble screen play to the right side of the field at the 5:17 mark of the opening quarter for a 7-0 lead. Just over four minutes and 30 seconds later, Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright ran home a major to put the hosts up 14-0.

With 2:07 remaining in the first quarter, the Storm suffered a tough break, when an electrifying 72-yard touchdown run by running back Jaimie Braybrook was nullified by an illegal block infraction. Valkyries head coach Pat Barry said the complexion of the contest could have been altered had Braybrook’s touchdown counted.

Haley Girolami scored the Valkyries first TD on Sunday.
“She (Braybrook) is very fast, and we notice her on film,” said Barry. “It is something that we are aware of there is no doubt about it.

“It was a pretty big play. If they would have scored there, it could have changed things for sure.”

Shortly after Braybrook’s touchdown was called back due to a penalty, Valkyries linebacker Jamie Wingate intercepted Storm quarterback Aria McGowan. That turnover turned into an 18-yard field goal by Valkyries place kicker/receiver Grace McCorriston with 17.5 seconds remaining in the first quarter to increase the Valkyries advantage to 17-0.

Following Obed’s receiving touchdown, second-year running back Drew Lundquist ran home a major score from nine yards out to put the Valkyries up 31-0 and Wright followed with a two-yard touchdown run to push the Valkyries lead out to 38-0.

Sarah Wright (#88) led the Valkyries with 137 yards rushing.
With 31.1 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Lundquist ran in her second touchdown of the contest from seven yards out to give the Valkyries a 45-0 lead at halftime. She rounded out the game’s scoring in the third quarter with a rushing touchdown from 27 yards out for her third major of the contest putting the Valkyries up 52-0.

Lundquist finished the game with 13 carries for 112 yards to go with her three touchdowns.

“I’ve never had that many reps before,” said Lundquist. “The O-line did great.

“Everyone was blocking. It was just a perfect setup for me to be able to play awesome. It was amazing.”

Drew Lundquist runs in one of her three TDs for the Valkyries.
Lundquist is pumped to get the chance to play in her first WWCFL championship game.

“It is just amazing,” said Lundquist. “It feels so good.

“It is so exciting to be able to play at such a high level and just really have this opportunity to just play. It will be really nice having like home field and our crowd, our people and our field. The odds are on our side.

“We’re going to bring it, and it is just going to be a great game.”

Wright had another big game leading everyone with 137 yards rushing coming off 13 carries to go with her two major scores, and she caught three passes for 45 yards. Girolami led all pass catchers with 48 receiving yards coming off three catches.

Rienna Rueve (#7) dives on a fumble recovery for the Valkyries.
Eyolfson completed 14-of-22 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns, while not throwing any interceptions. Kelli Young, who is a rookie backup quarterback, played the tail end of the third quarter and the whole fourth quarter in relief of Eyolfson.

Valkyries veteran defensive back Rienna Rueve had a fumble recovery and an interception, while defensive end Danaye Holynski led the Saskatoon side with four total tackles.

The Storm were held to minus-six yards in total offence. Defensive back Baylie Kennedy led the Storm with 9.5 total tackles, while defensive back Chantelle Chenard had nine total tackles and an interception for the Edmonton side.

Chantelle Chenard (#9) fights for an interception for the Storm.
McGowan, who plays defensive back on defence for the Storm, also had an interception for the visitors.

Barry was pleased with the overall play of his team. He is looking forward to his squad having the chance to win the WWCFL title at home, which is something the Valkyries haven’t done in some time. The last time the Valkyries won the WWCFL Championship at home was back on July 5, 2014, when they blanked the Lethbridge Steel 53-0 at Griffiths Stadium.

“It is exciting that we have a full season and we get to compete for championship at home,” said Barry, who was an assistant coach in that 2014 WWCFL title win. “It has been a long time since the Valkyries have been in the championship game at home.

The Valkyries collect a WWCFL semifinal trophy.
“I am really, really excited for it. That (2014 WWCFL championship season) was my first year on the club. I’m excited that we’re back in that situation.

“There is a time limit now. We just want to make sure we take of business and make sure we’re prepared. Hopefully, we are playing our best game of the year next Saturday night.”

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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