Meadow Lake Mayor Merlin Seymour extinguishes the ceremonial flame while Flying Dust First Nation Chief Tyson Bear holds the torch during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games at the Co-op Centre in Meadow Lake on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Image Credit: Saskatchewan Games Council)

By Kenneth Cheung

LOCAL TALENT

‘It really just feels amazing’: Host district River West wins 30 medals at 2026 Sask. Winter Games

Feb 22, 2026 | 1:02 PM

As the final cheers echoed through the arena and the ceremonial flame was extinguished Saturday, Meadow Lake gold medalists Grant Fillion and Denzara Crawford stood among hundreds of competitors reflecting on a week that felt both overwhelming and unforgettable.

Competing on home soil for Team Rivers West, the two teenagers reached the podium while helping their district deliver a strong hometown performance at a historic Saskatchewan Winter Games.

“It really just feels amazing… It’s an honor. Honestly, I feel really good about it,” Crawford said after capturing gold in both wrestling and weightlifting.

Co-hosted by Meadow Lake and Flying Dust First Nation from Feb. 15 to 21, the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games marked the first time a city and a First Nation partnered to host the provincial event. It brought together more than 1,400 athletes from nine district teams to compete in 17 sports.

For the host district, the results matched the moment.

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Team Rivers West finished with 30 medals overall – six gold, nine silver and 15 bronze – tying for fourth among the nine teams. The district’s gold medals came largely in wrestling and weightlifting, with Crawford earning two titles and Fillion topping the podium in the 65-kilogram weightlifting division. 

Additional gold medals were won by Fiona Silver, Neeko Thibault and Noah Joel Cappelle.

Rivers West gold medallists Denzara Crawford (left) and Grant Fillion pose for a photo following the closing ceremony of the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games at the Co-op Centre in Meadow Lake on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/meadowlakeNOW)

Members of Team Rivers West accept the overall ‘Most Improved District’ award during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games at the Co-op Centre in Meadow Lake on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Image Credit: Saskatchewan Games Council)

Athletes from Rivers West also reached the podium in bowling, judo, cross-country skiing, artistic swimming and target shooting. The district team represented communities across northwest Saskatchewan, including North Battleford, Lloydminster, Rosetown, Biggar, Kindersley and Meadow Lake.

Across the province, Saskatoon led the overall standings with 109 total medals, while Regina followed with 73 and recorded the highest number of gold medals at 34. Prairie Central placed third with 45 medals, as South East joined Rivers West at 30. Lakeland finished with 28, South West 27, North 13 and Parkland Valley 10.

For Fillion, the week became a personal turning point.

“It’s definitely a confidence booster,” he said. “I felt bad about my performance in practice because my form wasn’t good and I could barely lift 115 pounds… once I got my form down pat, I’m lifting 135 pounds… so yeah, it’s just a confidence booster.”

He only took up Olympic weightlifting this year after encouragement from his football coach and parents, hoping for another opportunity to compete at the Winter Games after previously wrestling. Standing on the podium in his hometown made the experience even more meaningful.

“Our community actually really, really pulled this off. We are a pretty small town, to host something this big, it’s really impressive that they could host this,” he said.

(Image Credit: Saskatchewan Games Council)

(Image Credit: Saskatchewan Games Council)

Like her teammate, Crawford navigated a week that demanded both resilience and composure.

She opened the week in wrestling, cutting weight and battling nerves before losing her first match. Determined to rebound, she returned to win the rest and secure gold before adding another top finish in weightlifting.

“I was so scared I wasn’t gonna make weight,” she said.

Competing close to home allowed both athletes to share the moment with family, teammates and a supportive community.

“I enjoyed having it in my hometown. I didn’t have to leave the comfort of my own city, and I got to meet amazing people and amazing coaches. It was just a really great time overall,” Crawford said. 

Beyond the medal count, both of them said the Games showed what a northern community can accomplish when it comes together – from volunteers and organizers to the crowds that filled local venues throughout the week.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone,” Crawford said.

As the closing ceremony marked the end of a historic week for Meadow Lake and Flying Dust First Nation, both athletes said the experience has already shaped what comes next.

Fillion hopes to continue building strength in weightlifting, while Crawford is looking ahead to regional and provincial wrestling competitions along with an upcoming rugby season.

For now, they carry with them the pride of competing at home and the memory of a week when their community stood at the centre of sport in Saskatchewan.

As the future holds countless possibilities for more medals and milestones, to all the athletes: “May the odds be ever in your favor.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com