Rustlers Weekend Recap - January 12, 2026
Rustlers Athletics picked up several wins over the weekend.
Rustlers Hockey
Women's hockey were across the country to compete in the RSEQ National Collegiate Invitational in Quebec City. The Rustlers went undefeated in six games to emerge as tournament champions, scoring 24 goals and allowing only two. In the final, Lakeland had a convincing 5-0 shutout over Cegep Trois-Rivieres.
Rustlers Volleyball
Volleyball kicked off the second half of the season against the Keyano Huskies up in Fort McMurray, with both teams looking to catchup in the playoff race. Women's volleyball swept the weekend with six straight set wins, only facing one set point. Third year left-side Carly Hawryluk racked up 17 kills, two aces, two blocks and 3 digs. This moves the squad to sixth place in the North Division and three wins back of the playoffs.
The men had a more difficult time in their matchup with the Huskies, losing all six sets., though they were much more competitive on Saturday. They remain three wins out of the playoffs.
Rustlers Basketball
Basketball hosted the Huskies, where the women saw a great performance from transfer Declynn Wood. The shooting guard had 42 points in the two games, while the women lost both contests.
Men's basketball had a critical matchup against the top ranked Huskies, with first place and a chance to host playoffs on the line. Despite a solid start to Friday's game, the Rustlers were trailing by 17 in the third quarter, before mounting a huge comeback that carried into the final frame. In the final minutes, the two teams traded baskets amidst a rowdy atmosphere, before the Rustlers gained a lead in the final minute. Then, a turnover in the dying seconds resulted in a Keyano basket putting them up 89-88, which became the final score. Taleh Wade, Jordan Simpson and Baha Salma each scored 19 points.
The following day, Lakeland responded with great energy on both ends of the ball, with recently returned Rustler Roy Anku making multiple momentum changes plays on the defensive end. Winning each quarter by at least three points, Lakeland took the victory 83-65. Seth Johnson had a season best with 25 points with 5 assists, while Wade added 21 and Matt Bryant added 16 points and 12 rebounds. The tiebreaker on points against the Huskies puts the Rustlers in first place in the North.
What's Coming Up
This weekend, women's hockey are back on the road against the Olds Broncos, while the curling and futsal squads each have regional play. Futsal is in the Northeast Division, traveling up to Fort McMurray for three games per gender, while the curling teams are in Edmonton for the Winter Regional.
Both volleyball and basketball have home games, with volleyball making their 2026 home debut on Friday. Start times for those games as well as basketball the following evening, are 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm against the King's Eagles.