SASKATOON (Jan. 30, 2025) – Paris Paralympic bronze medallist Shelby Newkirk and Olympic bronze medallist Rylan Wiens were named Female and Male Athlete of the Year at the 40th Annual Saskatchewan Sport Awards in front of friends, family and more than 250 attendees and online viewers.
The two were announced as recipients for the awards on Jan. 30 at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. At the event, six recipients were named in Excellence Awards categories, while eight devoted individuals were honoured in either the Coach Dedication, Volunteer Dedication or Inspire Through Sport categories.
Newkirk swam to bronze at the 2024 Paralympic Games in the S6 100-metre backstroke event, later breaking a world record in the S6 50-m backstroke, while also claiming 11 medals across international and national events. Wiens claimed Canada’s first-ever medal in the men’s 10-metre synchronized platform event at the Olympic Games, while finishing seventh in the individual event and capturing a pair of silver medals at the World Cup.
In the Youth Athlete of the Year categories, two-time international gold medallist Kash Tarasoff won in the male category, while youth world record breaker, Etta Love is the recipient of the female category of the award. Love is the first woman in Canada to hold an Olympic weightlifting world record and earned various other medals at national and international events. Tarasoff was a Saskatchewan record breaker at the Junior Elite National Championships, earning perfect 10s on three dives while securing top of the podium.
After taking first place at the U SPORTS National Championships and setting a program record with a time of 8:45.60 seconds, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s 4×800-metre Relay Team are the recipients of the Team of the Year Award.
Named Coach of the Year for the third time in four years, Mary Carroll led two of her athletes to the Olympic Games in Paris, with one making Canadian history in the men’s 10-metre synchronized event by claiming bronze. She was one of two Team Canada coaches at the Games and received a 2024 Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award in recognition of her work.
Dedicated volleyball coach and mentor Tony Fineblanket, rowing umpire Sheila Leach, as well as Special Olympics athlete Lindsay Markwart received the Inspire Through Sport Award. For their valued work in canoe/kayak and figure skating, Bob Kary and Blair Seifert were recipients of Volunteer Dedication Awards. While Carla Nicholls (athletics), David Calam (lawn bowling) and Denise Fernandez (tennis) were handed Coach Dedication Awards for their 10 plus years of giving back in their sport.
A replay of the event can be found on YouTube.
Excellence Awards Recipients
| Male Athlete of the Year | Rylan Wiens | Diving | Pike Lake |
| Female Athlete of the Year | Shelby Newkirk | Para Swimming | Saskatoon |
| Youth Male Athlete of the Year | Kash Tarasoff | Diving | Saskatoon |
| Youth Female Athlete of the Year | Etta Love | Olympic Weightlifting | Saskatoon |
| Team of the Year | University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s 4×800-metre relay team | Athletics | Saskatoon |
| Coach of the Year | Mary Carroll | Diving | Saskatoon |
Recognition Awards
INSPIRE THROUGH SPORT AWARD
| Tony Fineblanket | Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation | Volleyball | Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation and supported by Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association |
| Sheila Leach | Weyburn | Rowing | Saskatchewan Rowing Association |
| Lindsay Markwart | Regina | Special Olympics | Special Olympics Saskatchewan |
COACH DEDICATION AWARD
| David Calam | Regina | Lawn Bowling | Bowls Saskatchewan |
| Denise Fernandez | Regina | Tennis | Tennis Saskatchewan |
| Carla Nicholls | Regina | Athletics | Saskatchewan Athletics |
VOLUNTEER DEDICATION AWARD
| Bob Kary | Regina | Canoe/Kayak | Wascana Racing Canoe Club and supported by Canoe/Kayak Saskatchewan |
| Blair Seifert | Saskatoon | Figure Skating | Skate Saskatchewan |
For more information, to schedule an interview or to request photos from the event
Kieran Kobitz
Communications Lead
Sask Sport
kkobitz@sasksport.ca