Celebrations continued last week for the Varsity Interlake Thunder.
It’s been just over a month since the Thunder defeated the St. Vital Mustangs in the 2025 Rural Manitoba Football League Championship in Stonewall. The Thunder finally got past the Mustangs this season after falling to them in the finals the previous two years.
They did it with their most dominant roster in that stretch, finishing the season a perfect 9-0.
On Saturday, Nov. 29, the Thunder gathered for their year-end awards banquet at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52 in Stonewall.
Eight players received awards for their contributions this season, as selected by head coach Christof Hasselfield and staff.
Hasselfield has coached many of the players for multiple seasons, including graduating seniors who he has guided throughout their varsity careers.
“It’s some of my favourite, most cherished memories,” said Hasselfield. “Not just talking about a championship, but even just growing as a coach while those guys are growing up as players and kids and everything. Them being there when I make mistakes and forgiving me for it and vice versa. It’s an awesome group. I look forward to the other guys, but this one will always be special to me.”
AJ Nadon was named the team’s Most Valuable Player after once again leading the Thunder’s run game. The 2025 season was his final year of eligibility for the senior running back from Winnipeg Beach.
Handling the ball often in 2025 was Gimli’s Jessie Batenchuk, recipient of the Thunder’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player Award. Batenchuk took on the starting quarterback role in 2024 after previously playing receiver. It proved to be a smooth transition for the now-senior QB, who capped his RMFL career with a championship.
A favourite target of his was Jamie Dandeneau, who received the Charlie Cook Leadership Award. The wide receiver from Stonewall was also a senior this season.
Paving the way for the Thunder offence was Gimli’s Jakob Samborski, named Most Outstanding Lineman.
On defence, Stonewall’s Cooper Ponton earned the Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in his senior year.
Gimli’s Dylan Maclean was also recognized in his final season with the Ed deLaroque Impact Player Award.
Rounding out the honours were Fraserwood’s Marlo Lapierre and Gimli’s Caleb Miyai. Lapierre received the Most Outstanding Special Teams Player Award, while Miyai was named Most Outstanding Rookie. Both are eligible to return in 2026.
