From Olympians to world champions and league MVP, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians performed at an elite level in athletics in 2018
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The days where Newfoundland and Labrador are ignored on a national and international stage for athletics are at an end. Simply put, we’re churning out an amazing amount of talented men and women performing at a world class level in athletics annually.
Olympic Medalist
While there aren’t enough words and descriptors to list each and every amazing Newfoundland born athlete who represented themselves and their home province with honour in 2018, here are some notable names and stories that dominated the headlines this past year in sports.
The year-that-was in Newfoundland sports will likely begin and end with Kaetlyn Osmond. The Marystown native had the campaign of a lifetime, earning a bronze medal at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, as well as a gold in the team event. She would later wow Canadian and NL audiences as part of the commemorative Thank You Canada Tour.
Looking to ride the wave of momentum from their miracle-at-home 2017 Brier win, Team Gushue had the world on their shoulders heading in to their 2018 campaign. Failing to represent Canada at the Olympics, could they defend 
their Brier title?
Answering doubters, Gushue, Mark Nichols, Brett Gallant and Geoff Walker had a tournament to remember, besting Alberta in the finals to capture their second straight Brier, which they would follow up with a silver at the world championships in Las Vegas weeks later.
Livin’ on the Edge
Only months old entering 2018, the St. John’s Edge of the National Basketball League of Canada dominated the courts, thanks largely to the expert play of home-grown superstar Carl English. The Edge finished the regular second with a 25-15 record, sweeping Windsor in the Central Division final before falling in six games to the eventual league champions the London Lightning. For his efforts, English earned the league MVP and Canadian Player of the Year Awards. 
Joining the Edge as tenants at Mile One Centre this past October, the Newfoundland Growlers, led by NHL vet Ryane Clowe, became an immediate threat in the ECHL. At press time they lead the league in points, with a roster that features Newfoundlanders Adam Pardy, James Melindy, Zach O’Brien and Marcus Power.
Earning gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, Kippens native Katarina Roxon had another award-winning season in 2018, earning a trio of medals at the Cairns 2018 Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships in Australia, including a gold in the 100m breaststroke. Likewise, Paralympic Sledge hockey star Liam Hickey earned a silver medal alongside his Canadian teammates at the 2018 Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang.
Record Setting Time
An event that dominated headlines in Newfoundland and Labrador this past summer was the 200th installment of the Royal St. John’s Regatta. 
The m5 club won the Stirling Communications International Female Championship with a time of 5:03:58, while the Outer Cove men, as advertised, delivered with a time of 9:06:34 to win the Atlantic Lottery Male Championship. The m5 squad broke the official record during their morning race, besting a time that had lasted for 15 years.
The Newfoundland Herald congratulates all these amazing athletes, as well as those we did not mention, on an amazing 2018.
We look forward to seeing the champions, all-stars, and scintillating stories that await in the new year.