Two athletes from Portage la Prairie proudly represented Team Manitoba at the 2025 Canada Summer Games, in Newfoundland, and even more notably, they are cousins.
Kaj Willms, 15, played with Manitoba’s U17 basketball team, while his cousin, Soren Weselake, competed in both men's road and mountain biking events. Their parallel journeys to Newfoundland showcased not only athletic talent, but also a strong sense of community, determination, and sportsmanship.
Willms, one of the youngest players for team Manitoba on the court, had an unusual path to making the provincial team.
"Funny story, I wasn't actually there for tryouts," Willms explained. "I was still in Toronto at a Team Canada camp, but my coach said he'd make a spot for me because I was away at the national camp."
While he wasn't at the tryouts, Willms says he had worked with both the head coach and assistant coaches in the past. So, they knew his skill level and what kind of player they were getting.
That confidence in Willms paid off. Team Manitoba dominated their pool, going 3-0 against Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and the Northwest Territories. They came just short of the medal round after a narrow 77–70 loss to B.C., who went on to win bronze.
"It was a pretty awesome atmosphere," Willms said, recalling the Games. "The opening ceremony was really cool. A stadium full of people cheering us on, it was unreal."
Despite missing the podium, Manitoba finished fifth at the games. Willms called the experience a major steppingstone.
"I think the national camp and these Games really helped with my development. I want to make Team Canada next year, U17 this time."
Meanwhile, on two wheels, his cousin Soren Weselake made headlines with his medal-winning performances. The 20-year-old cyclist captured bronze his first race in road cycling and gold in mountain bike cross-country Olympic, all while overcoming some equipment issues and racing for strategy.
"In one of the road races, we actually tried to help a guy from Ontario win just so Quebec didn't," Weselake said with a laugh. "But mountain biking is more my thing. The course was rocky, it reminded me of Falcon Lake."
Weselake had additional challenges, he didn't even own a proper road bike going into the Games.
"A guy from Winnipeg, Aiden Gauthier, was kind enough to lend me his bike. I wouldn't have been able to race without him."
He also gave a shoutout to a girl named Ada from Team Alberta, who lent him a wheel after his cracked during a pre-ride.
As for sharing the Games with his cousin, Weselake said, "It was very fun. I got to watch one of Kaj's games. It was close, and he got a lot of playing time. It was great to see him play."
The athletes stayed at Memorial University's athlete village, which allowed for interactions with competitors from across the country.
"There was a little court in the middle, food courts, and games like spike ball and cornhole," Willms said. "We even had lunch with Soren a couple of times."
Weselake has no plans to slow down.
"I've got two World Cups coming up, one in Lake Placid, New York and one in Mont-Sainte-Anne in Quebec. Nationals went well, I finished fifth, and I beat two of those guys here at the Games. So, I'm happy with where I'm at."
Though their sports are different, the cousins share the same mindset: keep pushing, stay humble, and represent Manitoba with pride.
And both agree that the people of Newfoundland made the experience even more special.
"Everyone I talked to was so friendly," said Willms.
"The people here have been amazing," Weselake added. "I'd also like to thank Allan Dillabough, who helped me get here. I worked at his Canadian Tire when he moved out to Newfoundland, it's cool how things come full circle."
From basketball courts to mountain trails, Portage la Prairie's young athletes are showing Canada what they're made of and just getting started.
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