If the Winnipeg Blue Bombers had to send a team to Paris this summer for the Olympics, who would make the cut?
“Oh, I’m not good at anything. Those guys are pretty dang good at what they do,” said quarterback Zach Collaros earlier in the week.
“I like watching the basketball and gymnastics, but there’s not a chance in hell I could go out there and do those.”
The Free Press consulted nine different players — Brady Oliveira, Nic Demski, Chris Streveler, Stanley Bryant, Willie Jefferson, Adam Bighill, Jake Thomas, Sergio Castillo and Jamieson Sheahan — to find out which of their teammates would have the best shot at gold in the eight events below.
100-METRE SPRINT
NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS FILES Evan Holm
Top choice: DB Evan Holm
Honourable mentions: WR Lucky Whitehead and KR Kody Case
The majority said Holm’s name wihout hesitation. The 2023 West Division all-star ran a stellar 4.45 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day at the University of North Dakota.
“Holmy, for sure,” said Bryant. “I’m just going with what the DBs say, and they say, no question, he’s No. 1. Maybe even in the CFL.”
DECATHLON
NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS FILES Chris Streveler
Top choice: QB Chris Streveler
Honourable mentions: WR Nic Demski and DE Willie Jefferson
Consisting of 10 track and field events, you need to be an incredible all-around athlete to have any chance in the decathlon. As a dual-threat quarterback, Streveler was an obvious choice, although Demski — who has played receiver, running back, and been used as a returner in his CFL career — wasn’t far behind.
“Streveler’s a man of many talents,” said Sheahan.
Thomas made a good argument for why it should be wide receiver Dalton Schoen, though.
“I feel like he’d be weirdly good at a lot of things. He picked up the waggle (quickly) so I’m sure he could pick up the javelin,” said Thomas.
WRESTLING
Top choice: DT Devin Adams
Honourable mentions: OL Tui Eli, OL Liam Dobson, OL Gabe Wallace, LB Adam Bighill
Former Bombers defensive tackle Steven Richardson (2019-21) was known as ‘Stove.’ Rookie DT Devin Adams has a similar build to him — short, stout, and very powerful — which has earned himself the nickname ‘Hot Plate’ by his teammates.
Good luck taking that 290-pound bowling ball down to the mat.
“I feel Devin Adams would be a little tank in that,” said Oliveira.
GOLF
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Jamieson Sheahan
Top choice: P Jamieson Sheahan
Honourable mentions: K Sergio Castillo, LS Mike Benson, LB Adam Bighill
Is it a coincidence the three guys — Sheahan, Castillo, and Benson — who get to stand around and do nothing for most of practice were mentioned? Castillo had several backers, but he said the Australian can do it all on the course. Sheahan, apparently, shoots in the high-80s. Not too shabby.
“I feel like these specialists always have so much time on their hands and they’re always golfing,” said Oliveira. “I haven’t had a chance to play with him yet, but I’ve heard he’s quite good. I’m going with Jammer.”
TABLE TENNIS
Top choice: P Jamieson Sheahan
Honourable mentions: WR Nic Demski, S Brandon Alexander, DB Deatrick Nichols
Now this is a sport several Bombers spend a lot of time training in as they have a ping pong table set up in the middle of the locker room. Sheahan’s going to be busy in Paris as he took this event as well.
“Jammer runs it in the locker room, honestly,” said Streveler.
If anyone can give him a run for his money, it’s Demski.
“I’d say 95 per cent,” said Sheahan on his overall winning percentage. “But Nic Demski is quite handy, he’s the second best. And if BA, Brandon Alexander, has a really good day, maybe BA. But it’s rare.”
WEIGHTLIFTING
Gabe Wallace
Top choice: OL Gabe Wallace
Honourable mentions: LB Adam Bighill, OL Tui Eli, OL Liam Dobson, RB Brady Oliveira, DT Jake Thomas
It’s surprising to see the Canadian rookie beat out the vets, but Wallace is a mountain of a man at 6-6 and 333 pounds.
Bighill, however, wouldn’t go down in the weight room without a fight.
“I’ll put my name in for the under 220 class,” said the linebacker.
“You weigh 230,” chimed in Demski.
“Yeah, but if I’m competing, I’m going 220,” said Bighill.
BREAKING
NIC ADAM / FREE PRESS FILES Lucky Whitehead
Top choice: WR Lucky Whitehead
Honourable mentions: DT Jamal Woods, LT Stanley Bryant, DE Lucky Ogbevoen
New to the Olympics this year is breaking — better known as breakdancing.
“That’s a sport?” asked Bighill.
Yes, yes it is.
We haven’t seen many touchdown celebrations from the group this year, but the panel of experts were most confident in Lucky Whitehead’s ability to get the job done. No one shows off their moves more than the man known as ‘Bobo,’ rookie DT Jamal Woods.
“I’m gonna go with Bobo. He’s two or three lockers from me, and any time there’s music, him and Adams are always dancing,” said Castillo.
GYMNASTICS
Top choice: DB Tyrique McGhee
Honourable mentions: DE Willie Jefferson, S Brandon Alexander
He’s no Simone Biles, but Willie Jefferson thinks he could impress the judges.
“Tyrique McGhee is the only one that I know who can do a backflip other than me,” said Jefferson.
“But I can do a lot of stuff. I’d be amazing on the floor. But the rings, nah, my arms are too long.”
BONUS ROUND: What sport is Mike O’Shea competing in?
HEYWOOD YU / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Mike O’Shea
Top choice: Wrestling
Honourable mentions: Discuss, Kayaking, Racewalking, Boxing
His players were all over the place but wrestling prevailed with just two tallies.
“What is Osh gonna do in the summer? I feel like in another life he could’ve been a great hockey player,” said Streveler.
When asked himself, Mike O’Shea went way off the board.
“I wouldn’t have been good enough in anything. I don’t know, have they put ultimate frisbee in yet?” said O’Shea.
Unfortunately, not. It was under consideration for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles but got dropped.
“Well, they should. They should put ultimate frisbee in the Olympics. It’s a fantastic sport.”
X: @TaylorAllen31
Taylor Allen
Reporter
Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.
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