The Estevan Sharks water polo club hosted a tournament Sunday at the RM of Estevan Aquatic Centre, with teams from Regina and Weyburn joining the local club in three divisions of play.
“This was a great day for the Sharks club,” said club communications director Heather Tober. “We showcased our wonderful facility, our excellent coaching talent and all of our hard working players."
The Sharks organization is second in size in the province, with Regina being the only club with more members.
"We are well known, and respected within the Water Polo Sask. association, and we were proud to welcome everyone to our city," said Tober.
The day started with the under-12 (U12) atom boys competition. The Estevan teams, the Mako Sharks and the Hammerhead Sharks, faced the Weyburn Hurricanes, Regina Dreadnought and Regina Fireship.
The Mako Sharks finished the day with a 2-2 record, while the Hammerheads lost all four games in close, hard-fought battles. The Regina Dreadbought went undefeated.
Veteran Mako Shark players Shiven Sangar and Brody Turner lead the team in goals and steals, while Mason Yunick and Carson Stopanski had many strong defensive plays. Mini-atom players Royce Milford and Carter Yunick joined the team and brought energy throughout the games.
The Hammerheads had strong netminding by Bennett Walliser. Brooks Milford and Casey Olney led the team in goals. Marvin Blue, Keegan Miennie-Kindlein and Chase Zohner all played strong throughout the tough competition.
The youngest players took to the pool for mini-atom games. The 8U mini-atoms are the youngest players in a co-ed, learn-to-play division.
Estevan had two teams entered in the mini-atom tournament. The Hammerhead and Reef Sharks faced off against each other as well as a Weyburn Hurricanes squad.
The Hammerheads finished the tournament with a 1-2-1 record, while the Reef Sharks swam to a 2-0-2 mark. Hammerheads goalie Lexi Walkom was strong all day. The team was helped by the offensive play of Royce Milford, Callum Gunningham and Ava Mainprize.
The Reef Sharks, coached by Charlotte Andrist, were lead by Carter Yunick, Alexa Gettis and Liam Elliott.
All players on both teams showed a lot of grit and determination throughout the tournament.
In the final action of the day, the U12 atom girls teams faced off. The Reef Sharks, coached by Mikayla Hack, were undefeated in the tournament, with commanding wins over the two Regina teams, and a hard-fought win over the Estevan Tiger Sharks. The Tiger Sharks also dominated the Regina teams, and their only loss was an 11-10 decision at the hands of the Reef Sharks.
"Having all 12 players be stars is a huge testament to the quality of coaching and training they have received from our club this year, and in the past." Tober said.
The female atom Sharks are playing not only at their age level, but many are playing on 14U and Team Sask entries.
"The level of skill and leadership all of these players exhibit every time they are in the water is remarkable," said Tober.
This tournament wraps up game action for the mini-atoms. Their season ends Jan 31. The atom boys and girls will continue with tournaments in Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg in the coming months.
