Wymark's Sally Wiens made the most of a last-minute pickleball partnership on the national stage.

An injury to Janet Simpson's normal partner opened the door for Wiens to compete at Winnipeg's 2025 Myoflex National Championship, with the newly formed pair winning bronze on Saturday in the women's doubles 65 and above age category..

"We hadn't really ever played together before, and I think we got three hours of play time before nationals," she said. "We struggled initially but found a way to get to the medal round."

Wiens met Simpson in June while the two were attending the Pickleball Saskatchewan Provincial Tournament in Saskatoon. The two wasted no time bonding while on the court in Manitoba. 

"She is a great lady, and we did connect at that level," she said. "We were fortunate to be here and to be playing, take it in stride that way. One point at a time and one match at a time, ended us up where we were. We were both pretty excited about winning that medal." 

The Saskatchewan duo lost their opening match in two straight sets to the eventual silver medalists, Nancy Kunzel and Debbie March 11-5 and 11-5. Wiens and Simpson quickly turned it around with two close match wins Saturday afternoon over Frieda Vanherck and Marilyn Picard, 16-14 and Sandra Iftody and JoAnne Fardoe, 15-12.

With the two straight wins, it solidified at least a bronze medal for Wiens and Simpson, with a chance at the finals. Facing Ontario's Sandra Keon and Nancy Sharpe, they fell 11-1 and 11-9.

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