GRAEME RINHOLM
Sports Writer

At the Huskies Salute on April 1, it was no surprise to see the Huskies basketball team honoured for their Canadian Interuniversity Sport championship.

It’s too bad that Huskies track and field got lost in the mix.

Pentathlete Chris Crossley, a Huskies, Canada West and CIS record holder and champion received nothing more than an honourable mention at the Huskies Salute.

Something is a little askew when one of the best pentathletes in the history of track and field not only at the U of S but within the CIS, goes unrecognized by his own program.

Certainly Showron Glover and the men’s basketball team deserve recognition for their incredible season but its too bad the university’s first basketball championship had to overshadow the phenomenal year Crossley had.

At the two championship meets this year, Canada West and CIS, Crossley went undefeated, achieving a personal best in nine out of 10 possible opportunities in the pentathlon. Not only did Crossley break the pentathlon record at every level, he managed to win long jump and place second in the 60-metre hurdles at Canada West too.

Essentially Crossley’s results are unheard of when it comes to Huskies Athletics.

Crossley was not alone in this, as many of his fellow track and field teammates went unrecognized for their record breaking performances as well.

Pole vaulter Taylor Petrucha broke various Huskies and Canada West records with 5.31 m jump and Andrew Smith broke a Huskies record in shot put with 17.94 m throw. Also, Taryn Suttie broke a multitude of records and was also omitted from the speech given by women’s hockey coach Steve Kook that highlighted broken Huskies records in 2009-10.

Despite the disappointment, Crossley remains positive about the future.

“It makes me want to stay healthy and see where I can take this thing. I don’t want to regret anything when I’m old,” said Crossley.

Quite an admirable stance considering the insufficient recognition Crossley has received. It’s an attitude that will hopefully serve Crossley well as he contemplates moving to the next level of competition, and there is hope that he will finally receive some of the recognition that he deserves.

Huskie Athletics has been the home of many outstanding athletes in the past, all of whom have accomplished greatness in their respective sport.

It is often said that the best decathlete in the world is also the best athlete in the world. With such logic, there can be no question that our best pentathlete, Chris Crossley, is the best athlete at the U of S, now and arguably ever. Whether this is recognized by Huskie Athletics will remain to be seen; there is no shortage of quality male athletes at the U of S this year, especially with the recently victorious basketball team.

However, regardless of being recognized, one thing is certain: Crossley is of legendary status in Saskatoon track circles and his accomplishments will not soon be forgotten.

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photo: Ivan Tam