Weyburn's Sawyer Leko returned from Toronto on the weekend after competing at a three-day Lacrosse Canada Developmental camp. The camp was run by members of the 2023 Canadian Men's National Team with guest coaches from many U.S. colleges and National Lacrosse League teams. Leko participated in high level intense drills, conditioning, and five games with lacrosse athletes from across Canada. 

Sawyer Leko was one of four athletes from Saskatchewan in his age category to participate. He had to apply to attend this camp detailing his playing history and accomplishments before being accepted. 

"I know they turned lots of players away so I feel fortunate," told Leko. 

When asked why he wanted to attend, Leko responded that he wanted to know where he stood with his skills outside of Saskatchewan. 

Leko, a 15-year-old Weyburn Comprehensive School student, quickly realized there were some highly skilled players on his team and on the teams he played against. 

"The defences we played against were unlike anything I have experienced playing in Saskatchewan. They are fast and on you as soon as you have the ball. You have to decide to shoot or move the ball really quick." 

Leko was happy with his performance and felt that he was comparable in skills and game play as the event went on. He finished the event with six goals and a handful of assists. Although happy with his showing, Leko has a good idea what he needs to work on and improve if he wishes to attend and compete better next year. 

"My speed, protecting the balls from the D-long poles and getting my shot away quick are skills I need to improve," Leko said. "My balance and quick feet are equally important."

Upon returning from Toronto, Leko has been in Regina practicing with both the Saskatchewan 17U Provincial Box Lacrosse Team and the Saskatchewan Field Lacrosse Team. Box Lacrosse Nationals are being played in Regina the week of Aug 14th to 19th at the Co- operators Centre. 

"The calibre of players is really good at Nationals, and I am just honoured to represent Saskatchewan and get a chance to play here at home in front of my friends and family," said Leko.  

Later on this summer, he and fellow teammates Ryder Hignett, Nash Hignett, and Blake Becker, will be representing Saskatchewan in field lacrosse nationals out in PEI. Tryouts for both teams started in February of this year and the roster was announced in July.

Locally, Leko plays box lacrosse with the U17 Weyburn Panther Drilling Thrashers, Saskatchewan's South Sask 'A' Stealth, and Jeff Shattler’s Lacrosse Academy Elite traveling team. Switching from the rink surface to the grass, Sawyer plays field lacrosse locally with the Weyburn Rattlers, and the Regina Royals 'A' Field Lacrosse Team. 
 
The next month and a half will be full of practices and travel preparing for both box nationals and field nationals. Lacrosse is a passion for Leko who trains and practices daily in his back yard, watching game film and lacrosse videos trying to improve his game. His goal is to play lacrosse with the help of a scholarship in college somewhere with a goal for a career in the medical field.  

Leko credits his success to great local and provincial coaching through his minor career. 

"Coaches like Mick Samenook, Chuck Hignett, Jeff Shattler, Joe Laprairie, Rhett Handley, Cam Zamonsky, Jeff Tytlandsvik, and Matt Dalton were all instrumental to many Weyburn athletes success in lacrosse in Saskatchewan," he noted. 

Leko said he feels it is important to recognize the efforts and contributions that these coaches and mentors have had in his lacrosse career which he hopes is only beginning.

Making these teams and representing Saskatchewan has been a financial challenge for his family, as it can cost up to $4,000 to send an athlete to individual national events. He has had help along the way with local fundraising efforts amongst all Team Sask players in all age groups from Weyburn. 

Along with working himself to save for these opportunities, the generosity and support that he received from local businesses now and in the past like Panther Drilling, Swayze's, NSWB, McMahon Accounting, M & C Distribution (e-bikes), Caprice Resources, TS&M, Weyburn Dodge, Key Well Servicing and AJP Line Locating, as well as many other private donations from friends and family, have lessened the financial impact on his family. 

"Without this local support from businesses and friends, I probably would not be able to play in these national events and I am so grateful for their generosity. All I can do, and will do, to show my appreciation is to play my hardest at both events and try to bring home a gold medal, which won't be easy." 

leko

-Submitted story, edits by Marna McManus.