It was a very memorable experience for Swift Current's Griffin Striker in the Canada Summer Games soccer tournament.
It meant a lot to him to play for Team Saskatchewan in Newfoundland.
"I put in lots of work just to get on the team," Striker said. "It was kind of a dream come true I guess for me."
He noted they had a tough preliminary round group and went 0-2 in the round robin portion of the tournament.
"Our group was pretty difficult," Strike said. "We got Ontario and BC, some would say the two favourites for the tournament. After those first two games, we just wanted to prove that we didn't really belong playing for 9th place."
Saskatchewan then won both their consolation round games to secure 9th.
That included Striker scoring in a 5-1 win over Yukon.
"It was a corner kick, so I just ran to the front post," he said. "As the cross went over my head, I saw one of my teammates at the back post. He heads it across the goal, and from there I just had to direct it into the net.
"It wasn't the prettiest, but it goes in."
Striker is now looking forward to his final season of high school soccer with the Swift Current Comprehensive High School Colts.
He'd like to see them win the Moose Jaw league and challenge their best ever finish of 4th at provincials.
Striker also plays for the Colts basketball club that finished 2nd in the Moose Jaw league last season.