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From the diving pool to the throwing circle, Team Saskatchewan athletes are standing out at the Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, N.L. — not just with medals, but with stories of resilience, pride, and community.
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Together, Lila Stewart, Kash Tarasoff, David Lipton, and Parker Lavoie embody the spirit of Team Sask; young athletes testing their limits, seasoned competitors pushing toward international stages, and all of them bound by pride in the green and yellow.
For fans back home, their performances are more than results on a leaderboard. They’re reminders of the grit, community, and heart that define Saskatchewan on the national stage
Find all the latest news and results from Team Saskatchewan here.
Regina diver Lila Stewart has won two golds and a bronze so far at the 2025 Canada Summer Games. (Lila Stewart/Submitted)
Lila Stewart is making waves
Regina diver Lila Stewart says she began diving when she was only three years old. Two golds and a bronze later, she’s now one of Team Sask’s top performers at the Games.
She credits her first Canada Games experience in 2022 as an important stepping stone that helped her handle the pressure in 2025. The highlight came when she clinched gold in the one-metre event; her last individual competition of the week, while her family watched from the stands.
“After doing my last dive and looking at the leaderboard, everyone was cheering. It was such a happy moment for me, and my family was here to celebrate.”
Kash Tarasoff has a bronze and silver medal at the Games and one more event with teammate Lila Stewart on Monday. (Team Saskatchewan/Facebook)
Kash Tarasoff one of the youngest competitors
At only 15, Kash Tarasoff of Saskatoon is one of the youngest members of Team Sask., yet the Canada Games are nothing new for him.
Already a three-time participant, Tarasoff has a bronze and silver medal and one more event with teammate Lila Stewart on Monday.
What stands out most to Tarasoff isn’t the medals but the camaraderie.
“The best part is the environment — having a great time with everyone, every single sport, my friends … just experiencing all this means the most to me.”
Tarasoff says mentors like fellow diver Riley Wiens have kept him motivated. Next on his horizon are international events that could open doors to a broader stage.
David Lipton has a silver medal in para shot put and a bronze medal in the men’s para seated discus. (Team Saskatchewan/Facebook)
David Lipton rewarded for strength
For David Lipton, the Canada Games brought a career milestone in the form of a silver medal in para shot put and a bronze medal in the men’s para seated discus.
Competing in the seated throws division, the Regina athlete relies solely on upper body strength after multiple spinal surgeries.
He described his silver medal ceremony as unforgettable, not for the result itself but for the sea of green cheering behind him.
“There had to have been 30 members of our team there just cheering me on. Most people want a good night’s sleep, but they were there. That meant everything.”
Lipton began his athletic path in wheelchair tennis before moving into track and field through Regina’s First Steps Wellness Centre. Now, his goals extend far beyond the Canada Games, with international classification and even the Paralympics on the horizon.
Parker Lavoie has competed in hammer, discus, and shot put events, and says the real reward has been watching younger teammates find their footing. (Team Saskatchewan/Facebook)
Parker Lavoie shows heart
Born in Estevan and now a University of Saskatchewan Husky, Parker Lavoie returned for his second Canada Games competing in hammer, discus, and shot put.
While his results have had highs and lows, he says the real reward has been watching younger teammates find their footing.
“Seeing the rookies realize what opportunities can come from making this team … it’s like being a proud older brother.”
Lavoie compares the Games to a “mini-Olympics,” noting the athletes’ village, pin trading, and exposure to competitors from every corner of Canada.
Balancing athletics with his studies hasn’t always been easy, but he says the discipline is worth it, especially when wearing Saskatchewan’s colors at a time when the province is looking for bright spots.
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