Thomas Friesen

2 days ago | brandonsun.com | Thomas Friesen

Gil Cheung and the Brandon University Bobcats are staring down a gauntlet to start their season. If they want to earn a sixth consecutive Canada West men’s basketball playoff appearance, they’ll either need to weather an early storm or conjure up some magic down the stretch. Cheung’s 15th regular season schedule was announced on Wednesday, starting on Oct. 24 at home against the Manitoba Bisons. Opening weekend is a swing trip, including a road game against the Winnipeg Wesmen two days later.

3 days ago | brandonsun.com | Thomas Friesen

If you tried to predict the 2025 Crocus Plainsmen athletes of the year this time last year, you’d have faced a no-brainer and a head-scratcher. Naturally, Rebecca Alebiosu repeated as the female athlete of the year, but not even Seth McAuley thought it possible he’d receive the male honour. “It’s definitely something I never thought would happen,” McAuley said, proudly holding his plaque on Tuesday.

1 week ago | brandonsun.com | Thomas Friesen

Brynn Wildeboer has proven she’ll do whatever it takes to succeed. Whether it’s changing positions within her volleyball team or driving three hours each way to play for a better one, she takes challenges head-on. She’ll face a new one in the jump from small-town single-A volleyball to U Sports as the lone rookie in the Brandon University Bobcats class of 2025. “I’m so excited.

1 week ago | brandonsun.com | Thomas Friesen

There’s nothing like the rare moment a big man runs with the football. Whether a defensive lineman picks off a pass or the left tackle scoops up a fumble and takes off, those few seconds of rumbling are pure cinema as it takes at least two men to bring him down. That sort of play is a regular occurrence at a Brandon Barbarians men’s rugby game as the forwards make the most of each chance to touch the ball. They also do a whole lot more, and it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed.

1 week ago | brandonsun.com | Thomas Friesen

Beth Couling’s eyes were opened to what rugby can look like. Now she’s trying to help her two Brandon teams get there. The Souris native is back in Westman after a year of Canada West rugby with the University of Calgary Dinos. She has transferred to Brandon University and joined its team, but will first help the Brandon Barbarians senior women chase a Rugby Manitoba championship.