Toby Boulet announces 2026 Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame Inductees. The banners for the 2026 inductees will be installed later. (Image Credit: Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame announces 2026 inductees

Feb 25, 2026 | 11:53 AM

Some of the Lethbridge area’s greatest athletes, coaches and builders are being recognized for their achievements.

The Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 Inductees & Kinsmen Sports Persons of the Year.

They will be formally recognized at the induction ceremony on May 8, 2026, at the Lethbridge Trade & Convention Centre. Tickets will soon be available here.

The group provided the following bios.

2026 Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame inductees:

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Athlete – Ross Bekkering

Ross Bekkering’s basketball career has taken him across the globe. The athlete of Canadian-Dutch descent who hails from Taber had a storied five-year run with the University of Calgary Dinos of the Canada West. Afterwards, he took his game internationally, playing in the Dutch Basketball League from 2010 to 2016 before representing the Netherlands Men’s 3×3 Basketball Team at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Athlete – Wacey Rabbit

From the hockey rink to the rodeo grounds, Wacey Saapaata Rabbit has personified dedication and leadership. His hockey career started in his home community with the Kainai Minor Hockey Little Braves and ultimately took him through the Western Hockey League and around the world. Also enjoying a brief rodeo stint in mutton busting, Saapaata Rabbit has remained deeply connected to his Siksikaitsitapi roots.

Athlete – Kris Versteeg

A north-side Lethbridge product, Kris Versteeg honed his hockey talents in Lethbridge, ultimately leading to an 11-year career in the National Hockey League. In that time, he brought home two Stanley Cups as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks to celebrate with his hometown supporters. His career also took him overseas as a representative of Team Canada, winning the 2019 Spengler Cup at Eisstadion Davos in Davos, Switzerland.

Team Award – 2016-2017 Women’s Kodiak Basketball National Championship team

The Lethbridge College Kodiaks womens’ basketball team was simply unbeatable in the 2016-17 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference season. The Kodiaks went a perfect 21-0 in ACAC regular season play, ultimately capturing the provincial title at home with an 85-54 win over the St. Mary’s Lightning. The Kodiaks capped off the perfect season with their fourth national title, defeating Montreal’s Dawson College Lady Blues 81-57 in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association final in Edmonton.

Builder – Dr. Alan Poytress

Since starting the Fort Macleod Triathlon over two decades ago, Dr. Alan Poytress remains the driving force behind the annual event. Beginning in 2003, the Fort Macleod Triathlon continues to encourage fun and fitness to participants of all ages. Triathlon has also taken Poytress around the world, competing at events in Canada, the US and in New Zealand.

Special Award – Ralph Family

The Ralph family – Dustin, Brock, Brett, Jade, Kenzie, Jimmy, mother Shelly and father Jim – have excelled in all sports they’ve played in. Whether it was baseball, basketball, football, rugby or dancing, the family from Raymond have made their sporting mark on southern Alberta. What’s more, the Ralph family has done so in a player, coaching, and sport administrator capacity.

Historical Award – Pearl Violet Borgal

Sports were an essential part of Pearl Borgal’s life, and she played many of them. Born in Swift Current in 1910, Borgal was Alberta’s first Junior Swimming Champion. She also participated in the saddle club, speed skating, swimming, hockey, basketball and golf and was a rodeo star, pioneer sports broadcaster and tireless volunteer for her community. Borgal was honoured by the Sarcee Band with the name of Morning Star. In recognition of many of her achievements, Pearl was named to the Lethbridge Community College Hall of Fame and the City of Lethbridge named a street in her honour, in addition to presenting a Scroll of Outstanding Service.

2026 Kinsmen Sports Persons of the Year

Shannon Clarke – Mixed Martial Artist

Mixed martial artist Shannon Clark went 2-0 on the Legacy Fighting Alliance circuit in 2025 while earning the title of LFA Women’s Flyweight Champion.

Clark beat American Cheyanne Bowers for the LFA Flyweight Championship for 125lbs on January 25 in Prior Lake, Minnesota.

The MMA athlete nicknamed “MMA Barbie” defeated Brazil’s Beatriz Consuli in LFA 221 November 7, in Ginásio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil to retain her LFA title and improve her professional record to 7-1-0.

Coby Iwaasa – Racquetball

The medal count continued both domestically and internationally for Coby Iwaasa in 2025. The Lethbridge racquetball player scored double gold at the 2025 Racquetball Canada National Championships in Burlington, Ontario in May in men’s singles and doubles. Iwaasa then headed to China, where he won the bronze medal in mixed doubles at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu.