Local lads, impress at Provincial MTB!
The Provincial Mountain Bike Championships were held at Horseshoe Valley Resort which featured a challenging and sandy course with some steep climbs and descents. Friday night started with an intense in the XCC (short track) race in 30-degree heat. Nathan Quackenbush had a strong 6th place finish in the U15 division.
The temperatures came down for the Sunday morning race but the elevation went up with over 200m of climbing each lap of the race. Nathan pushed for a 10th place finish in the U15 final. Bradley Slaght claimed the U19 Sport win, racing uncontested.
This concluded a successful Ontario Cup race season for the Manitoulin team. At the end of the season standings, Nathan claimed 7th place overall in the provincial U15 standings and Bradley Slaght claimed a place on the podium with second overall in the U19 sport division.
While the Ontario Cup season has ended, the high school mountain bike season starts in September. Interested riders who want to race with us can reach out to manitoulinmtb@gmail.com or get in touch with Ms. Caroline Black when school starts.
For anyone interested in a fun local mountain bike event, the annual McLean’s MTB Relay is coming up on August 31. Details at
breakawaymanitoulinevents.ca.
Indigenous Games hardware!
Aurel Fox-Recollet of Wiikwemkoong was among hundreds of Indigenous athletes from around the globe competing at the 2025 Masters Indigenous Games in Ottawa over the weekend. Aurel placed third in the 800metre, 1500m, 3000m and the 5k cross country races. The famous Tarahumara runners of the copper canyons in Mexico finished first and second. Congrats Aurel!
Volleyball Gold for Manitoulin-dominant team!
At the Masters Indigenous Games held in Ottawa this past weekend, a Manitoulin Island based team are bringing home gold. Former Manitoulin Mustangs Kyleigh Biedermann, Saraya Eshkawkogan and Naomi Naokwegijik and their teammates Arianna Gagnon, Natalia butterfly and Jayden Rivers met an undefeated Quebec team for a rematch in the Women’s division finals and came out on top after facing defeat in their preliminary round match!
Assiginack hosts Youth Ball Tournament
Assiginack continues the tradition of great events to keep their kids active. In their 4th annual youth ball tournament they actually got youth involved from across the Island and beyond, for a great time. In the 12U division it was the Marshmallow Mitts taking the title. Their roster featured: Jacen Simon, Bray Wassegijig, Rowan Lécuyer, Howie Desjardins, Hunter Inglis, Treilyn Gonawabi, Danika Peliter, Jordyn Corbiere, Gracie Trudeau and Mikayla Bondy.
In the 13-15 class winners were the Chaos Crushers, with: Reece Belanger, Hunter Daigle, Lincoln Rancourt, Thomas McMherson, Jackson Houle, Hayden McPhee, Presley Rancourt, Loryn Rowe, Zoey Paradis, Sophie Gagne, Hailey Donnelly and Taylor Wragg.
Finally, the 16-18 Division champs were the Ball Busters consisting of: Liam Stevens, Cohen Rayotte, Bryden Romaniuk, Merik Sokoloski, Justin Mrochek, Brayden Armstrong, Brinley Watson, Charmaine Webkamigad, Kayla Lockeyer, Brynn Best, Trinity Cheechoo and Scarlet Mohr.
A huge thanks goes out to the weekend’s indispensable umpires: Ryan Stewart, Larry Harasym, Murray Gammie, Reuben Allen and Jamie McCarville.
Jiujitsu Gold!
Congratulations to Graham Schinbeckler who competed at this past weekend’s 2025 Budo BJJ Open, touted as Northern Ontario’s Largest Jiu Jistu Tournament. In his first competition as a purple belt, he won a pair of gold medals. Graham credits his Sudbury based club Troop MMA for hi training and preparation and his brother, Lucas for helping get him into the sport.
Babstock gives back!
The PWHL’s Boston Fleet’s Kelly Babstock, is hosting her first annual, KB Hockey Camp from August 19–21, 10 AM–4 PM, at the Espanola Ice Rink, proudly sponsored by Wiikwemkoong First Nation. The response has been incredible but unexpected. They initially planned for four hours of ice each day, but due to overwhelming interest, they’ve extended it to six hours, so no one is turned away.
Kelly was born in Little Current, in 1992, and a proud Wiikwemkoong First Nation member. She has made this camp a milestone for herself and her community. It’s an opportunity for youth to build hockey skills, confidence, and cultural connection, with the goal of making it an annual tradition and is free for all Wiky Hawks players!
Kelly is now a veteran in the PWHL and will begin her third year in Boston. Before the creation of the PWHL she was a three-time all-star in the PHF (formerly the NWHL) playing for the Metropolitan Riveters, the Buffalo Beauts and the Connecticut Whale.
