Top 16 of 2016

Published On: December 31, 2016

2016 has been a sensational year for Manitoba’s elite athletes.
From breakthrough performances to Olympic medal wins, here is a look back at the top 16 performances of the year.



KELSEY WOG WINS SILVER AT FINA WORLDS – Dec 11

KELSEY WOG WINS SILVER AT FINA WORLDS – Dec 11
Kelsey Wog won silver in the 200m breaststroke at the FINA Short Course World Championships. Kelsey, originally an alternate for the team, also competed in the 4x50m medley relay and set two personal bests as well as a Canadian record at the meet.

EMMA GRAY WINS JR, U23 CATEGORIES AT NATIONALS – Sept 26

EMMA GRAY WINS JR, U23 CATEGORIES AT NATIONALS – Sept 26
Rower Emma Gray finished second overall in the National Rowing Championships in September, claiming both the Junior and Under-23 titles. Emma won silver in the senior division, ending her second competitive season with two gold medals and one silver at Nationals.

 

MEGHAN MONTGOMERY WINS PARALYMPIC MEDAL – Sept 11MEGHAN MONTGOMERY WINS PARALYMPIC MEDAL – Sept 11
Meghan Montgomery came out of retirement last year, wanting to tend to unfinished business in para-rowing. Meghan has been a pioneer in the sport, and helped her crew to a bronze medal at the Rio Paralympics; Canada’s first ever medal in rowing at a Paralympic Games.

 

DESIREE SCOTT BRINGS HOME OLYMPIC BRONZE – Aug 19

DESIREE SCOTT BRINGS HOME OLYMPIC BRONZE – Aug 19
A heartbreaking semifinal loss ended an undefeated record for the Canadian Women’s Soccer team in Rio, crushing their quest for gold. Canada was victorious against Brazil in the bronze medal match, taking home their second consecutive Olympic bronze.

 

TYLER MISLAWCHUK COMES TOP 15 IN OLYMPIC DEBUT – Aug 18

TYLER MISLAWCHUK COMES TOP 15 IN OLYMPIC DEBUT – Aug 18
Tyler Mislawchuk had the most notable season of any Canadian triathlete leading into the Rio Olympic Games. The young athlete from Oak Bluff put on an exceptional performance in Rio, finishing 15th in his Olympic debut at 21 years of age.

 

TEAM CANADA VOLLEYBALL SURPRISES IN RIO – Aug 17

TEAM CANADA VOLLEYBALL SURPRISES IN RIO  – Aug 17
Two Manitobans travelled to Rio to compete with Canada’s first Olympic Men’s Volleyball team in 24 years. The Canadian underdogs upset the U.S. in their opener and shocked the volleyball world with several major upsets before falling to Russia in their quarter-final.

 

BELA ONYSHKO WITH CANADIAN BEST ON BEAM – Aug 15

BELA ONYSHKO WITH CANADIAN BEST ON BEAM – Aug 15
Brandon’s Isabela Onyshko surprised competitors by qualifying for both the all-around final and the beam final at the Rio Olympic Games. Manitoba’s first artistic gymnast in 40 years also finished eighth in the beam final, Canada’s best ever result in the event.

 

CHANTAL VAN LANDEGHEM MAKES CANADIAN HISTORY – Aug 7

CHANTAL VAN LANDEGHEM MAKES CANADIAN HISTORY – Aug 7
Chantal Van Landeghem joined three teammates to help Canada to their first medal of the Rio Olympic Games in the 4x100m medley relay. Swimming Canada’s women put on a historic performance, and Chantal became the first Manitoban swimmer to medal at an Olympic Games.

 

VICTORIA TACHINSKI WINS BRONZE AT JR WORLDS – July 29 VICTORIA TACHINSKI WINS BRONZE AT JR WORLDS July 29
After setting a new personal best and Canadian record in the 800m, Victoria was selected to compete at the IAAF Junior World Championships in Poland. Victoria finished sixth in the 800m, and ran the anchor leg for her 4x400m relay team, propelling them to bronze.

 

LEAH KIRCHMANN WINS GIRO ROSA PROLOGUE – July 1
LEAH KIRCHMANN WINS GIRO ROSA PROLOGUE
  July 1
In the space of three days, Winnipeg cyclist Leah Kirchmann celebrated her 26th birthday, was selected to Canada’s Olympic cycling team, and won the Giro Rosa prologue on Canada Day. Her Giro Rosa win was the biggest of her career, and came during her most successful season ever.

 

NADYA CROSSMAN-SERB WINS WORLD CUP GOLD – May 29
NADYA CROSSMAN-SERB WINS WORLD CUP GOLD
 – May 29
Nadya Crossman-Serb surprised her competitors and teammates this season when she began competing at a senior international level. She and partner Katie Vincent won World Cup gold in the C2 500m. Women’s paddling will make its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

 

CHANTAL GIVENS WITH FIRST WIN IN AGUILAS – May 26 CHANTAL GIVENS WITH FIRST WIN IN AGUILAS – May 26
Chantal Givens saw her first ever World Paratriathlon Event win in Aguilas, Spain in May of this year. Her gold medal put her in a prime position for Triathlon Canada’s selection of their first ever paratriathlon team. Chantal finished eighth at the Paralympic games this September.

 

RADFORD & DUHAMEL WIN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – Apr 2 RADFORD & DUHAMEL WIN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – Apr 2
Winnipeg born Eric Radford and partner Meagan Duhamel took home gold in the pairs event at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships for the second consecutive year. The duo is looking for exceptional results this season as the 2018 Olympic Games approach.

 

MANITOBAN CURLERS WIN BRONZE AT JR WORLDS – Mar 13MANITOBAN CURLERS WIN BRONZE AT JR WORLDS – Mar 13
Manitoba’s Team Dunstone won the Canadian Junior Curling Championships in 2016, allowing them to compete as Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in Denmark. Team Dunstone lost in their semifinal at the event, but came home with a bronze medal.

 

HEATHER MCLEAN MEDALS AT WORLD CUPS – Mar 12HEATHER MCLEAN MEDALS AT WORLD CUPS  Mar 12
Long track speed skater Heather McLean had a sensational 2015-2016 season. She picked up her third World Cup medal of the season in the 500m in March, and at 23 years of age has a long career career and many more podium finishes ahead of her.

 

LEVI NADLERSMITH COMPETES AT YOUTH OLYMPICS – Feb 12LEVI NADLERSMITH COMPETES AT YOUTH OLYMPICS Feb 12
Levi Nadlersmith was one of two Canadian cross country skiiers selected to compete at the 2016 Youth Olympic Games in February, and one of just two Manitobans. Levi is currently training at the Thunder Bay National Team Development Centre.