Saskatoon’s Kleiter shines on the curling circuit, classroom and gridiron

Accountability is a big aspect of Saskatoon’s Rylan Kleiter’s success.

The 21-year-old balances two high-performance sports, curling and football, along with working towards an accounting degree through the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan.

But how does Kleiter do it?

The fourth year business student followed a career year in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) with the Saskatoon Hilltops with his fourth straight provincial junior curling championship last Wednesday.

He said his days are packed, but everything continues to build him to become the multi-sport athlete he ultimately wants to be.

“It’s busy, but it really keeps me accountable. I don’t waste much time at all, for sure,” he told 650 CKOM following his provincial win.

This year’s provincial win was different on the pebbled ice for the Saskatoon product. Its his rinks final chance to win the junior national championships scheduled in Langley B.C. from Jan. 18-26.

Kleiter said winning the provincial title was special for them, but they’re not done just yet.

“It was pretty nice to go off on a high note, but we still have some work left to do,” he said.

“(This year), we’ll be one of the more experienced teams (at nationals). Might have a little bit of a target on our back, but we’re looking forward to that.”

Adversity is another aspect of sport that Kleiter hasn’t shied away from during his athletic career.

The Hilltops kicker was instrumental in the teams final match up with the Langley Rams, putting three field goals through the uprights to push his team to their sixth straight national championship in an 11-6 win in November.

Kleiter earned All-Canadian honours in 2019 in the CJFL as a kicker and receiver for the Saskatoon Hilltops. (Twitter/David Zuskind)

On top of kicking duties, where Kleiter converted 28 of 33 field goals through the 2019 regular season in 12 games, Kleiter also spent time as a receiver this campaign.

He totalled 29 receptions, for 439 yards and five touchdowns in 2019.

Kleiter ended up being chosen as a CJFL All-Canadian for 2019.

Kleiter said everything he’s faced on the field, or on the curling sheet make him a better overall athlete.

“It definitely (takes) away the mental aspect of each of the games,” he said. “Every experience that I’ve faced, it sort of, grows and builds me to be the athlete that I am.”

Looking forward to Langley in just under two weeks time, Kleiter said his focus will remain on the championships.

Last year, he and his foursome were able to get some time on the ice with some of curling’s finest at the 2019 Meridian Canadian Open in North Battleford during a Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling tournament.

This time around though, they said they’re looking at one goal, and one goal only.

“We’re really concentrating on juniors this year, so we got a couple weeks to practice leading up ’til then,” he said.

Kleiter may be aging out of the junior curling ranks, but he still has a year to go with the Hilltops.

With months before the 2020 seasons kicks off, Kleiter said it’s already on his mind.

“I’m really excited, I’m already looking forward to start working hard towards that, as well,” he said.

The athlete said he’d never be able to choose between the two sports. He doesn’t have a favourite, and living north of the border gives him an advantage to competing on both sides.

“I gotta say whichever season I’m in, is the one that I’m likin’ the most.”

Kleiter begins the 2020 New Holland Canadian Juniors on Jan. 18 at 3 p.m. against Team Alberta, led by skip Ryan Jacques.