SASKATOON – For the second time in three years, Olympic diver Rylan Wiens was named the Male Athlete of the Year at the Saskatchewan Sport Awards, while Canadian 3X3 star Paige Crozon was named the Female Athlete of the Year.
The two were announced as recipients of the awards at the 2023 Saskatchewan Sport Awards on Feb. 1 at Queensbury Convention Centre in Regina. At the event, six recipients were named in Excellence Awards categories, while 12 dedicated individuals were honoured in either the Volunteer Dedication, Coach Dedication or Inspire Through Sport categories.
Crozon attended seven international tournaments in 2023 and won the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Final in Mongolia by scoring on the buzzer, to bring Canada the series title. Wiens placed second on the podium in the men’s synchronized 10-metre platform event at the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games, which qualified him for the 2024 World Championships.
In the Youth Athlete of the Year category, tennis star Keegan Rice won for the second straight year in the male category. At the same time, two-time Saskatchewan record breaker and three-time national gold medalist, Lila Stewart is the recipient of the female category of the award. Stewart attended the Senior National Championships and claimed silver, a major accomplishment for a junior athlete competing at a senior level. Rice attended three Junior Grand Slams in France, England and Australia and was named Tennis Canada’s 2023 Junior Male Player of the Year.
After being the first team to represent Saskatchewan at the Little League World Series since 2002, the North Regina Little League Major All-Stars receive the Team of the Year Award.
Named Coach of the Year, Ryan Jones guided three swimmers to achieve the minimum qualifying standard for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games and was selected as part of the coaching staff for the 2023 Para Swimming Championships in Manchester.
More than 300 supporters attended the Saskatchewan Sport Awards from across the province and Canada.
A replay of the event can be found on YouTube.
