The excitement is gearing up for this year’s Saskatchewan Winter Games in Regina happening from February 19-25. That will lead up to Saskatchewan Athletes qualifying for the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island.
Flag bearer for the Saskatchewan contingent has already been named. Team Sask is pleased to announce that speed skating athlete, Luca Veeman of Saskatoon has been selected as Team Saskatchewan’s Opening Ceremony flag bearer.
Veeman, 17, is one of Saskatchewan’s most promising young speed skaters. Veeman started training and competing at the young age of six years old. Veeman trains with the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club under Tim Comfort and father, Chris Veeman (President of Speed Skating Saskatchewan).
With an outstanding work ethic, Veeman has received numerous club awards for most outstanding skater and the most personal bests. His hard work earned him a spot on the Speed Skating Saskatchewan Development and Provincial Team for both short and long track speed skating. In October, Veeman was accepted to the National Training Centre at the Olympic Oval in Calgary. Recently, Veeman switched from short track to focus on long track speed skating.
In 2022, Veeman qualified for the Canadian Junior National Team in long track speed skating but due to pandemic restrictions Canada did not send athletes to compete in Poland. Veeman is currently ranked in the top 3 in Canada for junior speed skaters and is a RBC athlete. This January, at the Canadian Junior Speed Skating Championships he won bronze in the 1500m and silver in the 5000m, qualifying him once again to race for the Canadian Junior National Team in Germany. In Prince Edward Island, Veeman will be representing Saskatchewan in the 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 5000m, mass start, and team pursuit events.
In the off season, Veeman became a multi-sport athlete and started cycling. He is nationally ranked in both short and long track speed skating, and now cycling. He is no stranger to Team Sask as he was a cycling athlete at the 2022 Canada Summer Games this past August in Niagara, ON.
First up its the Sask Winter Games with 119 athletes representing Team Prairie Central in a quest for a spot in the Canada Games. Many of those athletes in a host of disciplines are from Humboldt, Watrous and surrounding areas. Those athletes include.
Alpine Skiing
Tamia Kiefer Lanigan
Xander Kiefer Lanigan
Badminton
Jack Biemans Humboldt
Madison Junk Annaheim
Dixie Knittig Annaheim
Ryder Knittig Annaheim
Adrienne Kolkman Annaheim
Riley Sylvestre Muenster
Bowling Special Olympics
Maria Bergerman Humboldt
Angelica Finney Humboldt
Riley Richels Lanigan
Deana Sehn Cudworth
Sheldon Springer Humboldt
Bowling Special Olympics 2
Jocelyn Ehr Muenster
Jessica Ehr Muenster
Carla Hueser Humboldt
Trudy Linka Humboldt
Ryan Michel Humboldt
Curling F - 4's
Jenna Pomedli Wadena
Gymnastics
Kennedy Bley St.Gregor
Cross Country Skiing
Alexis Ell Humboldt
Salix Simoneau Humboldt
Figure Skating
Calla Almasi Humboldt
Annagail Ell Humboldt
Futsal F
Halle Bennett Humboldt
Futsal M
Bo Brandow Humboldt
Judo
Asher Dreger Watrous
Reilly Huisman Watrous
Wrestling
Daniel Meijer Humboldt