MAX CRANSTON
Sports Writer

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies started the 2011 season with outstanding results and swept many of their opponents over the course of the past weekend.

Hockey

The Huskies men’s hockey team faced off against rivals the University of Regina Cougars in a home-and-home series. Kyle Bortis provided the firepower and posted two consecutive two-goal nights, helping the Dogs to a weekend sweep. The Huskies took the first game 3-1 while visiting Regina on Jan. 7, and triumphed again on Jan. 8 in Saskatoon by a score of 6-2.

The Huskies women’s hockey squad had an equally productive weekend against the U of R. Looking to erase the memory of a Regina sweep earlier in this season, the Huskies women’s team posted a sweep of their own; 2-1 over visiting Regina on Jan. 7 and the next night took it to the Cougars 7-1 on the road. Cara Wooster finished with seven points over the weekend and Breanne George moved into fourth all-time in Canada West scoring with her five-point performance.

Both men’s and women’s team are back in action against the Manitoba Bisons on Jan. 14 and 15.

Basketball

The Huskies men’s basketball unit also helped contribute to an overall excellent weekend for the Huskies. With a comeback victory on Jan. 7, they edged the Brandon Bobcats 76-75. The Dogs continued rolling and finished off the Bobcats 100-61 in their next game Jan 8. The men’s team earned their third all-time Wesman Classic title at the end of December, beating host Winnipeg 80-60 in the final. The Huskies look to continue their dominant path, playing against the Manitoba Bisons on Jan. 14 and 15.

The women’s basketball team came out firing in their weekend clash with the Brandon Bobcats. The No. 2 ranked Huskies had two enormous wins — 82-36 and 79-33. Kim Tulloch led the pack the first game which saw three different Huskies, including herself, entering the double digit mark. Four Huskies repeated such a feat in the second game. The team will get ready to travel to Manitoba, facing off against the Bisons on Jan. 14 and 15.

Track and field

Huskies track and field athletes started the season with their first competitive meet in the Huskies-hosted Prairie Dual on Jan 8. The Dual also features members of the Regina Cougars and allows coaches from both teams to evaluate athlete progression to form strong travelling teams for other competitive events during the year.

The Huskies defeated the Cougars 141 to 114.

Wrestling

The Huskies wrestling team had a strong showing at their first meet of the year. At the Golden Bear Open in Edmonton the men’s team earned a second place finish and the women’s team finished third. Four-time Canada West champion and Huskies captain Daniel Olver won a gold medal for the team in the 82-kilogram weight class.

The Huskies women’s wrestling squad was led by Kathleen Kent who clinched a gold medal at in the 59-kg class.

The Huskies will travel to Regina on Jan. 15 and later to Guelph for on Jan. 22 for their next competitions.